Come Grow with Us and Join an Award-Winning Organization! Stearns Bank is looking for an Banking Relationship Specialist. This will be an in-office position at one of our production offices in Minneapolis, MN. Must be available to travel locally for training purposes.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Banking Relationship Specialist, you will focus on Stearns's Bank Deposit Growth Initiatives by developing and maintaining relationship with national businesses, nonprofits, and consumers. You will be responsible for generating new business through prospecting, calling, social networking, and referrals on a continual basis. You will make both face-to-face and telephone sales calls to existing and prospective customers to increase the products per customer ratio and support Stearns Bank's goals of being a high-performing organization. This position will provide support at our branch locations and production offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Generate new business through prospecting, calling, social networking, and referrals from EFD, SBA, National, Commercial, and Consumer lending.
• Collaborate with the Deposit Sales team to establish outbound call campaigns.
• Build and maintain a production pipeline by establishing and maintaining relationships with new and current clients.
• Work with and promote IntraFi Network account development to new and existing customers.
• Assist all levels of the Company's personnel in working with current and prospective customers.
• Act as a self-starter while demonstrating cross-functional collaboration with business partners.
• Develop business relationships by asking for referrals from current clients and vendors.
• Make outbound sales calls (phone and face-to-face) on existing and potential customers individually or as part of a team.
• Actively interact with customers, prospects, and coworkers to build strong business relationships.
• Maintain awareness of marketplace products, practices, rates, and changes to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
• Develop a strong understanding of products, services, sales skills, and service standards.
• Find opportunities to sell Stearns Bank products and services.
• Cross-sell Mastercard Debit Cards, Merchant Services, Credit Cards, Autobooks, and other cash management tools.
• Maintain a solid understanding of commercial and personal lending for referral purposes.
• Handle a high volume of phone calls both incoming and outgoing with integrity, delivering outstanding customer service, and seeking to gain 100% of customers' business.
• Follow up with written "thank-you" notes on all new account sales.
• Manage assigned portfolio, initiating customer courtesy calls to increase products per household and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Continue to develop selling skills using company tools such as literature, videos, and role-playing with team members.
• Represent Stearns Bank by actively participating in business and industry-related organizations, social networking, and other professional activities as appropriate.
• Participate in developing and promoting customer experience with onboarding and continued relationship building.
• Demonstrate excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritize when multi-tasking.
• Attend and contribute to sales meetings, sales activities, and functions; participate in Stearns Bank sales/referral promotions.
• Provide backup support as needed, demonstrating partnership and collaboration.
• Maintain accurate documentation of daily activities.
• Develop and strive to attain personal goals for oneself.
• Ensure loss prevention and security in alignment with this position.
• Complete required training and maintain a solid understanding of all legal and regulatory compliance issues relevant to this position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual with proficiency in Spanish and English.
• Shown experience in results-oriented sales, preferably in the banking or financial services industry.
• Solid understanding of banking products and services, planning, goal setting, project/time management, and selling techniques.
• Excellent business development and client relationship skills.
• Strong client relationship management skills.
• Diligent with outstanding sales and analytical skills.
• Driven to consistently meet or exceed objectives.
• Sales and service-oriented team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated and capable of making a significant impact within a team.
• Excellent listening and problem-solving skills.
• Strong digital literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Flexible.

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $2.4 billion well-capitalized, independent financial holding company based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Specializing in nationwide small business lending and equipment financing, Stearns has maintained outstanding customer service, fast decisions, and customized finance solutions to their customers for decades.

Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker's Association (ICBA) as a top-performing bank in the nation based on a 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more. Stearns has also been recognized by American Banker as a top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion.

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.