Jobs › Wintrust

ABL Operations Specialist

Wintrust · Chicago, IL · $59,000–$77,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 12, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Wintrust

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you keep accurate on a portfolio where every client reports on a different schedule and in a different format?

What they are checking: Organization across a varied book, which the posting emphasizes.

You would post collateral information to the loan system. Tell me about catching a posting error before it affected availability.

What they are checking: Accuracy where the consequence is a client borrowing more than they should.

You would communicate with senior management, clients and attorneys. How does your approach change across those three?

What they are checking: Communication range, named directly in the qualifications.

This asks for three or more years in banking or asset-based lending operations with an accounting degree, based in Chicago. What would you want to know about the portfolio size before accepting?

What they are checking: That they ask about workload, which determines whether the job is doable.

What would you do

You are the primary borrower contact for collateral operations. How do you tell a client their reporting is inadequate without damaging the relationship?

What they are checking: Client-facing firmness at an operations level.

You monitor ticklers for compliance with collateral reporting. What happens if a borrower keeps missing their reporting dates?

What they are checking: Escalation judgment when a pattern forms.

You manage accounts consistent with bank approvals and the loan and security agreement. How do you handle a client request that the agreement does not permit?

What they are checking: Holding a documented limit against a client who wants flexibility.

About the work

You would review and reconcile borrowing base certificates against supporting documentation. Walk me through checking one that does not tie out.

What they are checking: The central technical task of asset-based lending operations.

You calculate ineligibles and compare them to the client's own calculation. What ineligibles do borrowers most often miss or understate?

What they are checking: Real experience — concentrations, aged receivables, contras, cross-aging.

You would alert the underwriting or portfolio manager to unusual trends you observe in routine work. What kind of trend would worry you?

What they are checking: Whether they read the numbers or just process them — the real value of this seat.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Wintrust from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Wintrust.

Wintrust provides community and commercial banking, specialty finance and wealth management services through its 16 bank charters and nine non-bank businesses. Wintrust delivers the sophisticated solutions of a large bank while staying true to the relationship-focused, personalized service of our community banking roots. We serve clients in all 50 states with more than 200 branch banking locations in Illinois, southwestern Florida, northwestern Indiana, west Michigan and southern Wisconsin and commercial banking offices in Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Mich., and in key branch banking locations throughout Illinois. Our people are the heart of our business and we are proud to rank consistently as a top place to work. Wintrust is a $66 billion financial institution based in Rosemont, Illinois, and listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “WTFC.” Why join us? • An award-winning culture! We are rated a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune (past 12 years) and Employee Recommended award by the Globe & Mail (past 6 years) • Competitive pay and annual discretionary bonus eligible • Comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, a 401k plan with a generous company matches and tuition reimbursement to name a few • Family-friendly work hours • Promote from within culture The ABL Operations Specialist manages all the daily collateral and loan analysis for their assigned portfolio of clients. What You’ll Do ​ • Serve as the primary borrower contact for all matters relating to collateral operations in conjunction with the Underwriting/Portfolio Manager, who has overall responsibility for the account relationship • Review, analyze, and reconcile the borrowing base certificate and supporting documentation to confirm the value of the borrower’s collateral • Calculate ineligibles and compare to client’s calculation as well as identify collateral that may not be eligible for lending • Post collateral information from the borrower’s reports to the loan system • Understand and manage accounts consistent with the Bank approvals and Loan & Security Agreement • Advise the Underwriting/Portfolio Manager of reporting inadequacies and problems; under the Underwriting/Portfolio Manager’s direction, work with the borrower to resolve these problems • Monitor and update ticklers, ensuring client is in compliance with collateral reporting (BBC, AR, AP, Inventory, Financials, etc.) • Maintain an effective line of communication with the Underwriting/Portfolio Manager on assigned accounts, and alert them to any unusual trends observed in performing routine job duties • Maintain a professional and courteous manner with all borrowers, including assisting borrowers by answering questions and resolving problems promptly • Ensure all client information is saved properly on the server • Adhere to Bank Compliance policies and procedures • Performs all other duties as required Qualifications • Associate or Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field • 3+ years’ banking or asset-based lending operations experience • Must be detail focused and well organized with the ability to multitask • Basic understanding of loan documentation • Good interpersonal and customer relations skills are required to deal with clients and Underwriting/Portfolio managers • Proactive and confident communication skills (both verbal and written) to interact with senior management, clients, attorneys, etc. • Ability to work independently and use independent judgment with minimal supervision • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (specifically MS Excel) along with ability to pick up on new systems quickly ​ Benefits Medical Insurance • Dental • Vision • Life insurance • Accidental death and dismemberment • Short-term and long-term Disability Insurance • Parental Leave • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Traditional and Roth 401(k) with company match • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) • Employee Stock Purchase Plan at 5% discount • Critical Illness Insurance • Accident Insurance • Transportation and Commuting Benefits • Banking Benefits • Pet Insurance Compensation The estimated salary range for this role is $59,000-$77,000, along with eligibility to earn an annual bonus. Actual salaries may vary based on several factors, such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience. From our first day in business, Wintrust has been proud to serve a variety of unique communities and people from all walks of life. To build a company that reflects the communities we serve, we believe that fostering a unique and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed will support our ongoing success. Wintrust Financial Corporation, including community banking and financial services subsidiaries, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

Apply at Wintrust