Director, Ag Mortgage Real Estate Loan Production - California (Work-from-home)
Are you passionate about California agriculture and its global importance?
Are you a seasoned Ag Lender who’s built a solid career at the farm-gate with operations of size?
Do you feel comfortable stepping in to an existing book of business?
If you had a competitive top-shelf, long-term financing solution for agricultural real estate, would you confidently approach more business?
Our client is a financial service provider focused on delivering long-term, fixed rate solutions secured by agricultural real estate across the nation. Our client is buoyed by strong capitalization, global roots, and decades of front-line ag experience. In fact, they have been committed to U.S. agriculture for over 100 years so they understand the various inherent market challenges and know the value of building long lasting relationships with customers, addressing their needs as they come to help grow their business.
This commitment is evident when you consider the Ag Lending team. Their expert loan officers specialize exclusively in long-term real estate lending which allows the company to focus on the loan structure that best fits the customer’s operation. Our clients lending process is straightforward, offering flexible terms, competitive interest rates, and quick credit decisions.
We are seeking an experienced Ag Lender with a background equivalent of 7+ years experience to be responsible for new loan origination, field servicing, underwriting, and structuring of agricultural real estate mortgage loan transactions for an assigned territory. If you are a skilled ag lender who can win and handle large ag credits, this opportunity could be for you!
Tell Me More!
It goes without saying that Agricultural Lending is where the rubber meets the road regarding the farming economy. Ag lenders have a collective finger on the pulse of the sector, providing valuable financial insights and industry sentiments. According to the most recent Ag Lending Survey, farm income and profitability hit record numbers in 2022 with farm incomes exceeding $200 billion on the heels of high global demand for US commodities.
Lenders have reported positive news in agricultural lending, with a significant majority (over 95%) indicating that both delinquencies and charge-off rates for real estate and production loans have decreased over the past year. Farmland values have been on a tear since 2020, with lenders reporting significant gains. The average increase was 8.3% in 2021, followed by a jump to 18.9% in 2022. While 2023 saw an increase of 11.2%, this figure is slightly higher than the USDA's reported average of 7.4%. This difference might be due to the survey's focus on Corn Belt and Plains lenders, where farmland values tend to be higher. A strong majority (82.4%) of lenders reported farmland values climbing in their local markets during the past 12 months.
As far as 2024, most ag lenders surveyed expect land values to stabilize due to rising interest rates, which charted as a leading concern going into the year. It’s no secret: loan products that can lock in a long-term rate are always going to be desired by producers both large and small. Our client provides competitive products and services focused on fixed-rate funding for farmers' number-one asset, their land.
Understanding production agriculture and how the agricultural financial market operates is key for this role. If you have a long-standing background in ag lending, focused especially on real estate, this position will provide you with an important forward-facing business development and advisory function for a company that has been committed to American farmers for over a century.
THE ROLE:
A successful candidate will join an esteemed team of market specialists and leverage one’s skill in new loan origination, field servicing, underwriting, and structuring of agricultural real estate mortgage loan transactions for an assigned territory.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Identify and source investment opportunities through existing borrowers as well as all relevant Agricultural sources
Responsible for the complete structure of the transaction and follows the transaction all the way through from loan approval to final closing.
Keep leadership abreast of all relevant issues relating to assigned geographic territory
Provide detailed progress reports to leadership and manage delinquent accounts as appropriate
May supervise Assistant Directors/Analysts/Interns which includes development, mentoring and setting objectives for meeting department goals
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, or equivalent education and experience
Seven years of Agricultural lending or Agricultural business experience
Knowledge of real estate markets and commodities produced in assigned territory
Excellent written/communication, presentation and negotiation skills
Self-motivated
Proficient using MS Excel and Word, and the ability to learn financial statement spreading tool, mapping tools, valuation package and other software
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Direct agricultural lending experience for a bank or insurance company.
Appraisal experience.
A general understanding of CA water rights.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Market competitive base salary:
First year, On Target Earnings (O.T.E.), up to $260,000+
401k to start and fully-funded pension
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
PTO days and ten (10) paid holidays each calendar year
KEYWORDS:
Ag Loan Officer, Grains, Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Poultry, Swine, Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts, Cotton, Agricultural Loans, Farming, Ag Credit, Crop Rotation, Production farming, Farm Loan, Ag Real Estate, Cash Rent, Cropland, Farmland, Commodities, Farm Income, Agribusiness
CONTACT INFORMATION:
AG HeadHunters
(615) 686-2099
EEOC STATEMENT:
We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. We are also committed to diversity and helping to create an inclusive environment for our clients. If you can do this job you will not be denied consideration.