Relationship Manager - Commercial Banking
Posted Jun 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026
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
Walk me through how you've built and managed a portfolio of commercial middle market clients. How big was it and what did growth look like under your watch?
What they are checking: whether the candidate has actually run a comparable book of business and can speak concretely about scale and results
Tell me about a time you brought in a new commercial relationship from a cold prospect. How did you find them and what got them to say yes?
What they are checking: real business development skill versus reliance on inherited relationships
How do you build and use a network of centers of influence to generate referrals?
What they are checking: whether they have an actual repeatable prospecting system, not just a list of contacts
Tell me about a time you had to partner with a specialist team, like wealth or capital markets, to close a deal. What was your role versus theirs?
What they are checking: collaboration style and whether they can quarterback a deal without overstepping specialist expertise
Tell me about a client relationship that started to go sideways, maybe a covenant breach or a payment issue. How did you handle it?
What they are checking: how they manage difficult client conversations and protect the bank's position
What's an example of how you've stayed visible in the local business community, and did it ever actually turn into business?
What they are checking: authenticity of their community involvement and whether it produces real pipeline
What would you do
How do you approach cross-selling treasury management or capital markets products into a lending relationship without it feeling like an upsell?
What they are checking: ability to identify client needs and coordinate with specialists rather than just pitch products
A long-standing client wants to expand their credit line but their industry is showing stress signs. How do you have that conversation with them?
What they are checking: how they balance client advocacy with honest risk communication
How do you think about serving companies at the $25 million-plus revenue level differently than smaller businesses you may have worked with?
What they are checking: whether they understand the complexity and sophistication of true middle-market clients
If you noticed unusual activity in a client's account that raised a red flag, what would you do?
What they are checking: awareness of BSA and suspicious activity reporting obligations and willingness to follow through despite client relationship
About the work
Say you're reviewing a loan request and the client's financials show declining margins but strong cash flow. How do you approach structuring that credit and what would you bring to Portfolio Management?
What they are checking: credit analysis judgment and ability to balance risk with client needs
What financial statement red flags make you slow down or push back on a deal, even if the relationship matters to you?
What they are checking: credit discipline and willingness to say no under relationship pressure
What's your process for staying on top of portfolio administration and making sure covenants, renewals, and credit quality stay in line with policy?
What they are checking: attention to compliance and operational discipline, not just deal-making
Practice this interview out loud.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Associated Bank.