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Portfolio Manager II, Franchise Finance

Wintrust · Rosemont, IL · $85,000–$110,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

Compared with the commercial real estate portfolio manager role at the same level, what draws you to franchise finance?

What they are checking: A real preference between two similar roles at the same bank

What would you do

How do you write a credit recommendation for a borrower whose numbers are fine but whose brand is struggling?

What they are checking: Weighing the brand against the borrower

A lender wants to approve something outside policy. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Holding a credit line against a colleague with a revenue interest

How do you keep covenant monitoring current across a portfolio of many small borrowers?

What they are checking: Scale, since franchise portfolios are numerous and small

This is based in Rosemont. What would you want to know about the portfolio size and the credit training available before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they diligence what they'd inherit

About the work

This role supports the franchise finance group from Rosemont. What do you understand about lending to franchisees rather than ordinary small businesses?

What they are checking: Whether the franchise specialization is real

How does the franchisor relationship change the credit risk on a franchisee loan?

What they are checking: The specific structural factor in this lending line

Walk me through how you'd analyze a multi-unit operator's financial statements.

What they are checking: Analysis at the operator rather than the unit level

What do you look at in a brand before you'd lend against it?

What they are checking: Brand-level risk, which is distinctive to franchise finance

How do you monitor a franchise portfolio, and what tells you an operator is in trouble?

What they are checking: Early warning signs specific to restaurant and service franchises

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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 match and tuition reimbursement to name a few • Family-friendly work hours • Promote from within culture The Portfolio Manager II supports the Franchise Finance Group by gathering, analyzing, and presenting business and personal financial data collected for the purpose of issuing, amending, extending, renewing, monitoring and testing commercial credit facilities, in the franchise finance space. In collaboration with internal and external deal team members the Employee will participate in all aspects of the Borrower relationship, including initial screening, underwriting and on-going portfolio management. The Employee is expected to liaise between all parties to ensure timely and efficient tracking and analysis that meets the expectations of the Borrowers, Lenders and Administration Teams. What You'll Do • Underwrite credit requests • Prepare, review and present credit summaries for approval; • Collect, spread, analyze, and maintain financial statements; • Support loan documentation, due diligence, and closing efforts; • Participate in opportunity assessment and prospecting process; • Prepare borrower, brand and portfolio reviews; • Test and monitor financial covenants consistent with loan requirements; • Maintain timely and accurate risk ratings; • Train in negotiating loan documentation • Train in negotiating syndicated loans and communicating with loan syndicate • Comply with all bank policies and procedures as well as applicable state and federal regulations and complete all required compliance training in a timely manner • Performs other duties as required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or related area of study • 3 + years of Franchise Finance Experience Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Strong understanding of risk management and credit mitigants • Knowledge risk ratings analysis, corporate finance and/or research • Strong analytical and financial modeling ability • Critical thinking skills • Strong client service skills • Strong organizational skills • Strong verbal and written communication skill • Strong relationship building skills • Proficiency using Microsoft Office software products including advanced Excel modeling skills 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 $85,000 - $110,000, 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.

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