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Commercial Relationship Specialist

Fremont Bank, Livermore, CA, United States


Job Title: Commercial Relationship Specialist Location: Livermore, CA

Hiring Salary Range: $33.65 – $38.45 per hour

Position Summary Fremont Bank — one of the Bay Area’s most respected and long‑standing financial institutions — is seeking a strategic, hands‑on professional to join and help advance our Commercial Lending team. This is a high‑impact opportunity to contribute to the success of a mission‑driven organization committed to excellence, community service, and strong client relationships.

If you’re energized by purpose‑driven work, collaboration, and delivering meaningful results, we’d love to connect.

Why Fremont Bank? Founded in 1964, Fremont Bank is one of the oldest independently owned banks in the Bay Area and has been consistently recognized as a Top Workplace for the past 15 consecutive years. Our foundation is built on relationships — with our clients, our associates, and our communities.

We offer:

A people‑first culture grounded in inclusion and excellence

Deep community involvement and local reinvestment

A mission‑driven workplace where values and performance go hand in hand

The Fremont Bank Way

Full‑Service Banking

with comprehensive financial solutions, advanced technology, and exceptional service

No‑Compromise Approach

— we help clients get to "yes"

Core Values:

Go above and beyond for clients

Foster a supportive and empowering environment for associates

Deeply invest in the well‑being of our local community

Position Overview The Commercial Relationship Specialist will be responsible for the origination, maintenance, and retention of a commercial client portfolio within approved geographic lending areas. The Specialist will also develop these client relationships to meet ongoing established portfolio growth goals. Functional knowledge of general credit skills, commercial real‑estate, and business lending and a deep understanding of Fremont Bank credit, deposit, and treasury products are essential.

The Specialist will communicate bank credit, deposit, and treasury management products to current and prospective clients and work closely with the Credit Administration Department to provide timely closing of loans to meet established service levels, ensuring outstanding customer service.

Communication (written and verbal) with the sales group, brokers, clients, and third parties regarding status and requirements necessary to originate and close loan transactions is also required.

Role and Responsibilities

Successful completion of training programs

Attaining personal annual commercial lending thresholds

Supports unit's growth and profitability through calling on existing and potential clients

Identifies business needs and corresponding sales opportunities bank wide

Works closely with Wealth Management, Treasury, Cash Management, and other major areas of the bank to promote sales and implementation of complete suite of financial products and services

Provides assistance to clients with transactions by contacting appropriate department

Acts as a liaison between clients and other departments

Maintains thresholds around retention and growth of portfolio

Facilitates approval decisions on loans and terms within lending limits

Makes recommendations to appropriate lending authority

Negotiates terms and conditions of loans with clients

Attends commercial lending department sales meetings as required

Responsible for collection of past‑due loans in their portfolio

Executive Summary The Commercial Relationship Specialist (CRS) Development Plan is an 18–24‑month structured program designed to build a sustainable, high‑quality talent pipeline within Commercial Lending. The program equips new CRSs with the technical knowledge, sales capabilities, and relationship‑management skills required to transition into a Commercial Relationship Manager (CRM) role.

The program focuses on core competencies in financial analysis, commercial real‑estate and business lending, loan origination, portfolio management, cross‑functional collaboration, effective communication, and the ability to cross‑sell.

Program Description 1. Summary of Responsibilities

Refer to the Role and Responsibilities section for core responsibilities. In addition to those duties, the CRS will support client relationship development, assist in loan origination and portfolio management, strengthen foundational credit skills, and learn to navigate Fremont Bank’s sales and credit processes.

2. Product Knowledge

Develop a working understanding of all Fremont Bank products and services.

3. Sales and Credit Process Navigation

Learn to efficiently navigate Fremont Bank’s credit and sales processes to support timely and accurate deal execution.

4. Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Work closely with CRMs, credit analysts, loan operations, and treasury management to ensure exceptional client experience and deal execution.

5. Client Relationship Development

Support CRMs in developing, managing, and expanding client relationships by identifying client needs, recommending appropriate structures, and referring opportunities to the appropriate business partners.

6. Loan Origination and Portfolio Management

Assist in originating new commercial loans through prospecting activities such as cold calling. Partner with senior CRMs to help manage portfolios, participate in sales calls, review incoming loan requests, and form preliminary recommendations.

7. Credit Analysis and Presentation

Build foundational credit skills in both real estate and C&I lending by reviewing and creating spreads of financial statements, assessing creditworthiness, and preparing credit presentations for respective committees.

8. Key Duties

Attend and contribute to client meetings, perform financial spreads, assist in preparing and presenting credit memorandums, track documentation and closing milestones, support monitoring activities, participate in sales origination efforts (cold calls, emails, door‑to‑door outreach), attend credit workshops and ABA, RMA and CBA training, shadow senior CRMs, and review both funded and new loan requests to form recommendations.

9. Expected Outcomes

By the end of the 18‑24 month development program, the CRS is expected to:

Demonstrate readiness for promotion to Commercial Relationship Manager

Originate and support real estate and C&I transactions

Build a strong internal network

Manage a portfolio

Confidently present credit memorandums to respective committees

Structure and recommend loan requests using financial analysis

Master bank systems and processes

Receive positive feedback and performance evaluations

Required Qualifications 1. Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.

2. Experience

1–3 years of banking experience, or prior internship/rotational experience within a financial institution.

3. Technical Skills

Basic understanding of financial statements, credit risk principles, and loan structuring. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Ability to interact professionally with clients and internal partners.

5. Analytical & Organizational Abilities

High attention to detail, sound judgment, and effective problem‑solving and time‑management skills.

6. Professionalism

Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a professional demeanor while upholding Fremont Bank’s values and ethical standards.

7. Preferred Experience

Experience supporting commercial lending teams

Exposure to commercial credit underwriting

Hands‑on experience reviewing or preparing credit memos

Familiarity with bank products and services

Prior client‑facing experience

Completion of formal credit training

Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements

8. Skills & Competencies

Credit and financial statement analysis

Relationship management support

Business acumen

Communication and client‑service orientation

Teamwork and collaboration

Time management and adaptability

Systems and technology proficiency

Professional representation internally and externally

9. Certifications

No specific certifications required

Formal credit training is preferred

Completion of this program does not guarantee promotion, selection for the CRM role, or advancement to any other position within the Company. All hiring and promotion decisions will continue to be made in accordance with Company policies, applicable laws, and organizational needs. Participation in this program does not alter the at‑will employment relationship or create any contractual rights, expressed or implied.

What Makes Fremont Bank Associates Thrive?

Team Players

who go above and beyond to support their colleagues

Action‑Oriented

professionals who challenge the status quo and seek improvement

Purpose‑Driven

individuals who understand and champion the bank’s community impact

Benefits Snapshot Health & Wellness

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA, Dependent Care, Health Savings)

Financial & Retirement

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

401(k) with employer match

Performance‑based bonuses or incentives

Work‑Life & Perks

Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

Free personal checking and savings accounts

Home loan rate discounts

Tuition reimbursement and professional development resources

On‑site gym and discounted health club memberships

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Equal Opportunity Employer Fremont Bank is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected classification.

Salary Range The hiring salary range for this position is $33.65 – $38.45 per hour, based on factors such as experience, skills, education, and internal equity. Compensation decisions are made in consideration of these factors and in alignment with Fremont Bank’s compensation philosophy.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is a way for Fremont Bank to contribute to the financial well‑being of associates by making a contribution to their retirement account. In addition, the ESOP provides associates an opportunity to share in the growth and prosperity of Fremont Bank.

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