Portfolio Specialist

Job Summary

The Portfolio Specialist works closely with the Senior Portfolio Manager, Relationship Managers, and Regional Relationship Managers to support the evaluation of financial information and credit needs of prospective and existing borrowers. This role focuses on developing foundational credit skills, including learning how to gather and analyze credit information, conduct preliminary company, financial, and industry analysis, and perform basic due diligence to assess the risk and return characteristics of financing transactions.

Under the guidance of the Senior Portfolio Manager, the Portfolio Specialist develops a basic understanding of credit documentation and assists in the preparation of credit memorandums and relationship-based review memorandums. The Portfolio Specialist regularly participates with Relationship Managers, Portfolio Bankers, and Regional Relationship Managers in interactions with clients, Credit Administration, and Senior Management, and supports the preparation of recommendations related to credit extensions.

Secondary responsibilities include loan boarding, tracking required financial reporting, monitoring financial covenant compliance, analyzing borrower financial trends, and assisting with monitoring collateral values.

Key Responsibilities

• Learn to understand and analyze credit data, financial statements, and related information to assess borrower creditworthiness.

• Learn to spread and analyze borrower and guarantor financial statements and federal tax returns using CASH Insight

• Assist in analyzing key financial metrics, including revenue growth, profitability, cash flow, management quality, and industry position.

• Learn to compare liquidity, profitability, and credit histories of businesses under evaluation.

• Prepare and present credit memorandums for review by the Senior Portfolio Manager, Relationship Manager, or Regional Relationship Manager to support new, renewal, and extension loan decisions.

• Learn to monitor credit risk by periodically reviewing financial trends, credit bureau reports, repayment performance, and other borrower and guarantor information.

• Support compliance with bank policy and regulatory requirements by maintaining and updating loan files, tracking required financial reporting, and monitoring adherence to financial covenants.

Required Knowledge

• Regulation CC

• Bank Secrecy Act

• Regulation DD

• Teller Operations

• Regulation BB (CRA)

• New Accounts Procedures

• Regulation B (ECOA)

• Saving Bond Procedures

• Regulation X (RESPA)

• Special Collection Procedures

• Regulation Z (Truth about Lending)

• Safe Deposit Box Procedures

• Fair Credit Reporting Act

• General Branch Operations

• UCC

• Loan Products

• FDIC Insurance

• SBA 504 Requirements

• Privacy Laws

• Loan Documentation

• Regulation E (EFT)

Compliance Responsibilities - Non-Supervisory

Complies with all applicable state and federal banking laws, regulations, and internal policies, including but not limited to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations, Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements, Financial Elder Abuse reporting laws, Sexual Harassment prevention policies, and information security and privacy requirements.

Identifies unusual or potentially suspicious activity and promptly elevates such activity to supervisory staff and/or the BSA/Compliance Department in accordance with established policies and procedures. Completes required compliance, regulatory, and job-related technical training, including assigned workshops and continuing education, within required timeframes.

Skills & Competencies

• Effective time-management and organizational skills

• Clear proficiency in spoken and written English

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and Outlook

• Basic mathematical skills

• Foundational understanding of business and personal financial statements and tax returns

• Strong customer service orientation with a professional demeanor

• Accurate typing and strong clerical/administrative skills

• Effective verbal and written communication skills

• Developing critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to actively listen, learn, and apply feedback.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with supervisors, colleagues, and clients.

• Ability to remain professional and respectful when dealing with difficult or challenging individuals.

Equipment Operated

• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.

• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.

• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.

• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.

• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent work experience, preferred.

• Prior banking experience or experience in a related field with a strong emphasis on customer service and sales, preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to various bank locations as needed.

Minimum Absence Requirement - Two Weeks

As part of the Bank’s internal control and risk management framework, positions with access to critical systems, records, or processes are designated as sensitive positions. Consistent with sound banking practices, employees assigned to sensitive positions are subject to mandatory consecutive absence requirements to support segregation of duties, facilitate independent review, and reduce the risk of errors, irregularities, or unauthorized activities.

This position has been designated as a sensitive position. Accordingly, the employee is required to complete a minimum of two (2) consecutive weeks of absence from assigned duties during each calendar year, in accordance with Bank policy. The absence will be scheduled in coordination with management to ensure continuity of operations while maintaining effective internal controls.

Administration of the mandatory absence requirement, including paid or unpaid status, will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and leave laws, including California requirements, and consistent with Bank policy.

Officer Title Eligibility Within the Bank, Officer Titles may be designated for certain positions based on role scope, level of responsibility, and demonstrated competencies. Eligibility is determined by the nature of the position and applicable governance standards. This position is not designated as eligible for an Officer Title.

Compensation

Hourly Rate: $29.00 – $46.00 per hour.

The actual hourly rate will be based on job-related factors, including skills, experience, location, and alignment with the Bank’s compensation structure.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, consistent with business needs and applicable law.

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach reserve the right to modify, amend, or discontinue job duties or requirements at any time. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment, either express or implied, or alters the at-will nature of employment.

April 21, 2026