St.Catharines Corp Office
St Catharines, ON L2S 3W3, CAN

At Meridianour aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest chance is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.

The Small Business Account Manager is accountable for taking over the Relationship Management of the highest credit risk Business Credit Members in the Small Business Banking lending portfolio. This involves a transfer in the relationship management from Relationship Mangers in Sales & Relationship Management to the Senior Small Business Credit Risk Manager.

Meridian’s capital is at risk of loss in many cases and the primary objective is to build rapport with the Member and establish and understand the key Member issues driving poor financial performance. Thereafter, the plan is typically to work together quickly, in partnership with the Member, to agree and implement an action plan that can hopefully result in the Member improving financial performance and returning the status of the loan from a non-performing loan to performing status.

If it is not possible to turnaround the business of project, after considering all options, the primary objective is to minimize credit losses for Meridian. The Senior Small Business Credit Risk Manager is required to engage specialist legal counsel to implement insolvency strategy, tactics and execution in a timely manner. This can involve complex negotiations out of hours work on occasion.

The role is also responsible for recommending credit applications and Loan Loss Provisions in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring risk is appropriate and Member service is maintained. When all recovery initiatives have been exhausted,



the role requires the completion of Government Guarantee Claim forms to be completed for CSBPFL, HASCAP and Accelerator Loans to recover Meridian’s capital. Tracking of Impairments and capturing key learnings is also an important aspect of the role.

Regular communication with colleagues in Sales and Relationship Management to regularly share opportunities for improvement with respect to credit applications and due diligence is of paramount importance. In summary, the role requires a specialist combination of relationship management, restructuring and insolvency experience and capability.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage relationships and partner with Members and insolvency professionals. Provide excellent service and be always professional in challenging scenarios.
- Develop and implement strategies to return high risk loans to performing, wherever possible, and minimize credit losses in situations where there has been a business failure.
- Understand and keep track of market and regulatory changes and developments and incorporate into Member credit recovery strategy.
- Assist with respect to overall regulatory compliance by having responsibility for supporting monthly reporting as required under Board Credit Management policy.
- Maintain Watch List summary reporting, inclusive of action plans and key dates,



in an effort to reduce exposure and provide regular disclosure.
- Manage Third Party Demands.
- Provide effective stewardship to the Small Business lending portfolio, contributing to regular monthly reviews of portfolio credit quality through established measures. Proactive risk management and accuracy of Credit Agreement / Forbearance Agreement preparation.
- Enhance the profile of the Small Business Credit team through the organization through open communication, highlighting the role of Small Business Credit in contributing to the credit risk management function, in support of a differentiated brand and contributing to Meridian’s overall sustainable profitability.
- Create efficiency in the credit approval process through streamlined applications, refined processes and by leveraging enhanced automation in monitoring borrower default risk.
- Foster a culture of shared, proactive risk management with Delivery partners.
- Build strong relationships and partner with specialist legal, accountants and Trustees (Receivership Accountancy firms) to implement insolvency strategy, tactics and execution in a timely manner.
- Achieve at minimum “Satisfactory” audit results on external and internal audit reviews and act on audit recommendations for enhancements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- Relationship Management experience with Members. It is a prerequisite to have experience as a Small Business or Commercial Banking Relationship Manager.
- The ability to distill important information and communicate concisely both verbally and in writing. Communication needs to be tailored to the audience.
- Understanding of estate lending (Residential income producing asset types).

📌 Small Business Account Manager (St. Catharines)
🏢 Meridian Credit Union
📍 St. Catharines