Leads independent credit risk oversight for Commercial Banking portfolios, approving complex loans beyond frontline authority. Reviews creditworthiness, underwriting, risk ratings, delinquencies, portfolio performance, pricing, structuring, and documentation. Advises senior leadership and business stakeholders on credit risk practices, establishes risk-based limits, supports regulatory review, and resolves complex transactions and risk challenges. The role requires advanced credit decision-making, analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with FINRA screening compliance.
Wells Fargo is seeking a Senior Lead Credit & Approval Officer on our second line of defense Independent Risk Management team. This team covers jobs that monitor and manage the credit exposure within Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking portfolios and transactions, approve loans in excess of line authority levels, continually review counterparty creditworthiness, and develop credit exposure methodologies in conjunction with risk analytic systems that are aligned with Board-approved risk appetite.
About this role:
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$215,000.00 - $355,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
10 Sep 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
About this role:
- Work in collaboration with regional leadership to effectively and prudently grow the loan portfolio
- Review, challenge and approve loans in excess of front-line credit officer authority levels
- Ensure conformity with bank policies, risk appetite and procedures
- Develop guidance, advising and partnering with key Business stakeholders on sound credit risk practices
- Monitor delinquency, loss and risk rating accuracy across all assigned regions and/or products
- Analyze Portfolio Performance and Trends
- Assist relationship managers and local credit teams with structuring, pricing and documentation of larger or more complex commercial loan transactions
- Monitor and review loan underwriting and portfolio management for senior management/regulatory agency review
- Advise more experienced leadership to provide support, oversight, and guidance in surveilling the portfolio for highly complex business and technical needs across groups
- Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex loan transactions and unique challenges
- Deliver solutions that require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking
- Coordinate and establish criteria to safeguard and support credit risk-based limits based on position, size, and margin requirements
- Provide vision, direction, and expertise to more experienced leadership on implementing innovative and significant business solutions that are large-scale, cross-functional, or companywide strategies
- Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues, and managers to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Serve as an experienced advisor to leadership to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Interact with internal and external customers
- Advise more experienced leadership to provide support, oversight, and guidance in surveilling the portfolio for highly complex business and technical needs across groups
- Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex loan transactions and unique challenges
- Deliver solutions that require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking
- Coordinate and establish criteria to safeguard and support credit risk-based limits based on position, size, and margin requirements
- Provide vision, direction, and expertise to more experienced leadership on implementing innovative and significant business solutions that are large-scale, cross-functional, or companywide strategies
- Collaborate and consult with peers, colleagues, and managers companywide
- Serve as an experienced advisor to leadership to resolve issues and achieve goals
- Interact with internal and external customers
- 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
- Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Wealth Management Credit
- Alternative assets/investment lending
- Experience assisting credit teams with structuring, pricing and documentation of larger or more complex commercial loan transactions
- Experience analyzing and approving complex assets and transactions
- Private banking experience with ultra-high net worth
- Deep and proven credit decision-making skills
- Broad analytical experience across products, client profiles and structures
- Ability to provide leadership during challenging risk discussions
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritizing skills
- Ability to quickly establish credibility to build and maintain effective working relationships
- This position is subject to FINRA background screening requirements. Candidates must successfully complete and pass a background check prior to hire. In accordance with FINRA rules, individuals who are subject to statutory disqualification are not eligible to be associated with a FINRA-registered broker-dealer. Successful candidates must also meet and comply with ongoing regulatory obligations, which include periodic screening and mandatory reporting of certain incidents.
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$215,000.00 - $355,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
- Health benefits
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid time off
- Disability benefits
- Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
- Parental leave
- Critical caregiving leave
- Discounts and savings
- Commuter benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Scholarships for dependent children
- Adoption reimbursement
10 Sep 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
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