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Vice President - Portfolio Management Commercial/Corporate Banking

BMO · Chicago, IL · $90,000–$180,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 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

Tell me about a credit that went wrong. What did you miss?

What they are checking: Whether they can own a credit loss honestly and explain what they missed, rather than blaming the market or the borrower.

How do you develop an analyst whose write-ups are technically right but don't help a committee decide?

What they are checking: Whether they can coach an analyst to write for decisions, since committees need a clear recommendation, not just accurate detail.

What would you do

How do you negotiate terms that fit a client and still sit inside risk appetite?

What they are checking: Whether they can negotiate terms the client accepts while staying inside risk appetite, which is the central tension of this role.

You'd lead proposal development and present to win new business. How do you pitch without promising terms credit won't support?

What they are checking: Whether they can win business without promising terms credit will not approve, which protects both the client and the bank.

The application deadline is October 22, 2026 and the role is based downtown. Does that timing and location work for you?

What they are checking: Whether the October 22 deadline and downtown Chicago office genuinely work for them, so nothing surprises either side later.

About the work

This role analyzes credit for commercial and corporate banking loans from 320 South Canal Street. Which industries and deal sizes have you underwritten?

What they are checking: Which industries and deal sizes they have actually underwritten, since the bank needs to know how far their experience truly reaches.

Walk me through how you assess repayment capacity and recommend a structure and collateral package.

What they are checking: Whether they can assess repayment capacity and design a structure and collateral package that truly protects the bank.

You'd sign off on new, renewal and extension loans within delegated authority. How do you decide when something exceeds yours?

What they are checking: Whether they know exactly where their delegated authority ends, because signing beyond it is a serious control failure.

What do you watch in a portfolio to spot deterioration before the financial statements show it?

What they are checking: Whether they notice early warning signs before the statements show trouble, because early action limits losses on a loan.

The posting names recommending capital allocation strategies that optimize returns. How do you think about return on a lending relationship?

What they are checking: Whether they think about a lending relationship's total return, not just whether a loan gets approved, since capital is limited.

Practice this interview out loud.

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

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/22/2026 Address: 320 S Canal Street Job Family Group: Commercial Sales & Service Analyzes credit information to support lending decisions and processes for new and existing Commercial banking loans and credit solutions in an assigned portfolio of clients. Makes credit decisions and recommendations in compliance with bank policies and procedures while maintaining an exceptional client service environment. • Negotiates loan structures and terms and conditions that align client requirements with the bank risk appetite and policies. • Assesses client repayment capacity by utilizing financial models and analytical tools to recommend appropriate loan structures and collateral requirements. • Signs off on new, renewal and extension loans within delegated authority. • Monitors portfolio to identify deteriorating credit conditions and compliance, analyses metrics, and assesses broader industry trends to spot risks and opportunities. • Evaluates portfolio performance and recommends capital allocation strategies that optimize returns with investment objectives. • Leads proposal development and delivers presentations to capture new business and expand client relationships. • Networks with industry contacts to gather competitive insights and best practices. • Develops and executes business development plans focused on enhancing client relationships and growth opportunities within the portfolio. • Builds and maintains client relationships to ensure long-term financial performance in collaboration with Relationship Manager and business partners. • Structures and supports new, renewal and extension loans aligned with client needs and bank & risk policies • Conducts financial analysis and risk assessments of clients’ credit information, for an assigned portfolio, to provide insights and make informed decisions • Monitors the portfolio performance for assigned portfolio of Commercial Banking clients on an ongoing basis, taking corrective action when required. • Minimizes BMO’s risk exposure by adhering to credit policies, regulatory standards, and operational guidelines. • Serves as a point of contact for service requests, ensuring expectations are consistently met or exceeded. Escalates issues when needed. • Supports and implements initiatives to enhance service quality, acquire new business and expand client relationships. • Identifies revenue and cross-selling opportunities to enhance portfolio growth. • Identifies share of wallet opportunities. • Leverages analysis tools to nurture and grow a portfolio that exceeds ROE thresholds and evaluates client returns on a proactive basis. • Manages timely and accurate data entry into BMO's systems and leverages the data to support decision-making. • Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus. • Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support. • Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules. • Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations. • Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed. Qualifications: • Preferred 5 – 7 years of relevant experience in credit or lending instruments or financial operations in a corporate or banking environment. • If a Credit Qualifiable job, Credit Qualifications and associated credit knowledge and skills according to the credit portfolio requirements and qualification standards. • Bachelor’s degree required; Business Administration, Finance and Accounting preferred. Any other related discipline or commensurate work experience considered. • Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and business experience. Foundational level of proficiency: • Structuring Deals Advanced level of proficiency: • Problem Solving • Collaboration • Detail-Oriented • Customer Service • Loan Structuring • Regulatory Compliance • Portfolio Management • Credit Risk Assessment • Banking Operations • Microsoft Office Expert level of proficiency: • Financial analysis Salary : $90,000.00 - $180,000.00 Pay Type: Salaried The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type. Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position. BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards About Us At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world. As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset. To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.

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