Position Summary
The Syndication Desk Leader will establish, lead, and institutionalize FirstBank's loan syndication function within the Treasury organization. Reporting to the Treasurer, this role is responsible for building a disciplined, scalable syndications platform that protects relationship origination, strengthens risk distribution, and generates non-interest fee income. The leader will own end-to-end distribution strategy, investor relationships, deal execution, and the operating framework that transitions the Bank from an episodic, manual process to a formalized capital markets capability.
This role will partner closely with Credit, ALCO, the Pricing Committee, Commercial Banking leadership, and Loan Operations to support larger single-name commitments without breaching hold limits, while improving overall portfolio concentration management.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Leadership
- Define and own FirstBank's loan syndication strategy, including the framework for underwritten vs. best-efforts postures.
- Build and lead the syndications desk in alignment with the Capital Markets leadership framework.
- Serve as the Bank's primary point of contact for buy-side investors, agent banks, and syndicate participants.
- Partner with Credit, ALCO, and the Pricing Committee to align distribution strategy with risk appetite and balance sheet objectives.
Deal Execution
- Engage early in the origination process — before term sheet — to flag syndication-eligible deals.
- Lead market soundings, investor outreach, CIM preparation, allocation strategy, and close coordination.
- Oversee club deals (3–6 banks), lead-left syndicated credits, and select participations (buy and sell).
- Manage underwritten exposures, time-bound sell-down requirements, and escalation protocols for failed syndication scenarios.
Risk & Governance
- Establish clearly defined target final holds, maximum underwritten exposures, and distribution assumptions for every transaction.
- Build escalation triggers tied to concentration limits, market execution risk, and failed syndication outcomes.
- Ensure all syndication activity complies with credit policy, regulatory expectations, and internal governance standards.
Operations & Reporting
- Institutionalize fee tracking, investor allocations, and deal economics reporting — closing a known reporting gap.
- Partner with Loan Operations to build a dedicated Agency/Operations function covering notices, rate settings, and lender communications.
- Develop dashboards and reporting cadence for executive leadership, Credit, and ALCO.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in loan syndications, capital markets, or leveraged/commercial finance at a bank or financial institution.
- Demonstrated experience leading syndicated transactions as lead arranger, agent, or co-agent.
- Established network of buy-side investors, agent banks, and institutional lenders.
- Deep understanding of credit structuring, hold limits, concentration management, and regulatory frameworks affecting syndicated lending.
- Proven ability to build and scale a function from the ground up.
