Career Opportunities

This position is with our holding company, Backlund Investment Company, which owns Better Banks and State Street Bank. However, this position is located in the Better Banks Peoria branch.

Job Description

The Associate Project Manager is responsible for supporting the Project Manager in the planning, executing, and monitoring projects that align with the bank’s strategic goals and objectives. The Associate Project Manager will ensure project success by assisting in research, financial evaluations, process improvements, and effective stakeholder communication.

Salary Range: $56,073 – $84,109

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assists the Project Manager with the planning and implementation of projects approved by executive management
• Meets with project teams to define requirements, goals, and deliverables for projects
• Develops business cases for solutions to ensure alignment with budget and business strategy
• Assists in coordinating internal resources and teams to improve processes and operational efficiency
• Assists in managing scope, timelines, and changes to ensure project goals are achieved
• Works with vendors and stakeholders as needed to request resources and address any situations/concerns
• Leads, manages, and develops project plans and timelines for smaller projects and process improvement initiatives, and collaborates with bank & holding company departments to ensure project success
• Tracks and communicates progress and task completion with project team members and stakeholders
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education & Work Experience

A minimum of 2 years of banking experience, an Associate’s degree in Business Administration, and a minimum of 1 year of project management experience are preferred. Relevant experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

Mental & Physical Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, kneel, bend for extended periods, and lift up to 50 pounds. Developed leadership qualities, ability to work under high pressure while remaining composed, strong communication skills, critical thinking for problem-solving, organization, time management, and financial analysis.

Competencies

Ability to manage multiple tasks while paying attention to detail, prioritize effectively, have the technical knowledge to make informed decisions, adaptability, a forward-thinking mindset, creativity to provide innovative solutions, change management, team-building skills, the ability to be a self-starter and work independently, and proficiency in Microsoft Office products.

Job Description

The Bookkeeper will handle essential bookkeeping and administrative tasks according to our bank's procedures, under the guidance of the Cashier/Accounting Manager.

Salary Range: $17.00 - $23.39 per hour

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage ACH processes, including handling returns & collaborating with staff & customers to resolve related inquiries.
• Generate monthly ICS & CDARS customer statements & oversee daily settlement.
• Review holds, process reclamations & manage returns for deceased customers.
• Balance monthly savings bond interest and submit monthly reports to Compliance.
• Assist customers by addressing inquiries via phone, thoroughly researching & resolving issues.
• Balance various settlement accounts and track daily interest accruals to ensure accuracy.
• Coordinate bank supply orders for branches.
• Provide backup support for various bookkeeping tasks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Work Experience

An Associate's degree in accounting is preferred, accompanied by at least one year of experience in a bank accounting or bookkeeping department or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Mental & Physical Requirements

Ability to sit/stand/kneel/bend/for extended periods, ability to view a computer screen for extended periods, ability to lift up to 20 lbs. on occasion, possess high level of detail and accuracy, ability to meet deadlines, ability to work independently with minimal supervision, problem solving/analysis.

Competencies

Knowledge within bank bookkeeping and/or accounting techniques & procedures; proficiency with Microsoft Office products; high level of detail & accuracy, time management, strong oral & written communication skills, ability to interact with members in all departments.

• Manages and supervises the daily activities of the branch and retail staff (i.e. sales, security, service, and grounds maintenance), and ensures compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory banking requirements
• Hires, trains, manages, and motivates staff to maintain optimal branch and customer needs; and ensures employees maximize opportunities to sell bank products and services to provide superior customer service.
• Builds and maintains new and existing customer relationships, and promotes the bank within the community
• Improves revenue and reduces expenses to grow the business while updating and communicating with management
• Generates referrals to other bank staff and business partners
• Performs as a Universal Banker and teller on an as needed basis
• Where applicable, performs consumer lending functions in accordance with policies, procedures, and legal and regulatory compliance
• Performs other duties as assigned by management

Education & Work Experience

Job Description

• Interviews customers seeking loans, collects and analyzes financial and related data to determine if applicants meet established minimum criteria for creditworthiness, rejects or approves loans and terms within limits and established bank policies
• Monitors loan repayment activities and performs field work as necessary to locate and collect delinquent loan payments or secure collateral; takes actions required to collect from past-due accounts
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with existing and prospective customers
• Cross-sells bank products and services
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of commercial lending functions, rules, regulations, laws, and policies & procedures
• Actively participates in community events and represents the Bank with a high level of integrity and professionalism
• Handles customer inquiries and/or concerns
• Adheres to bank policies and supports management decisions and goals in a positive, professional manner

• Performs other duties as assigned by senior management

Education & Work Experience

A bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or finance AND a minimum of 5 years experience as a commercial lender is required.

Job Description

The Universal Banker is responsible for establishing, retaining, and deepening customer relationships by opening and closing accounts and performing teller transactions to support the bank's goals and objectives. The Universal Banker identifies customer needs for bank products and services and reports directly to the Retail Bank Manager.

Salary Range: $35,360- $50,960

Duties & Responsibilities

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the new accounts system database by opening, maintaining, and closing customer accounts in accordance with operating controls, including legal, corporate, and regulatory procedures to ensure the safety of customer assets.
• Provides high-level customer service in person and via telephone to assist customers with account inquiries and/or concerns
• Builds trust with current and potential customers to understand their product/service needs and provides solutions that will benefit the customer
• Educates customers on Identity fraud
• Performs teller responsibilities according to the Teller job description
• Actively reinforces and contributes towards the Bank’s ALWAYS value system
• Promotes a team environment
• Performs other duties as assigned by management

Education and Work Experience

Job Description

The lender is directly responsible for developing and managing mortgage, consumer, commercial, and ag loan accounts that meet established lending objectives and requirements, driving marketing efforts to build positive relationships and loan portfolios, and promoting the bank's profitability and productivity.

Salary Range: $55,653 - $83,479

Duties & Responsibilities

• Interview customers seeking loans, collect and analyze financial and related data to determine if applicants meet established minimum criteria for creditworthiness, reject or approve loans and terms within limits and established bank policies
  
• Monitors loan repayment activities and performs field work as necessary to locate and collect delinquent loan payments or secure collateral; takes necessary actions to collect from past-due accounts
  
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with existing and prospective customers
  
• Cross-sells bank products and services
  
• Maintains knowledge and understanding of lending functions, rules, regulations, laws, and policies & procedures
  
• Actively participates in community events and represents the Bank with a high level of integrity and professionalism
  
• Handles customer inquiries and/or concerns
  
• Adheres to bank policies and supports management decisions and goals in a positive, professional manner
• Performs other duties as assigned by senior management

Education & Work Experience

A bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or finance is required, AND/OR a minimum of 5 years experience performing in a lending capacity such as managing mortgage, consumer, commercial, or ag loans.

Mental & Physical Requirements

Ability to sit/stand/kneel/bend/for extended periods, lift up to 20 lbs on occasion, developed interpersonal abilities, ability to work under high pressure while remaining composed, self-driven and motivated, ability to communicate with clients, co-workers, and outside agencies in writing, person, and over the telephone.

Competencies

Strong credit analysis and underwriting skills, advanced lending principles and methods, business objectives of a lending department, proficiency in Microsoft Office products, proficiency in Bank core processing systems, attention to detail, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.

This position is with our holding company, Backlund Investment Company, which owns Better Banks and State Street Bank. This position is located in our Group office in Peoria Heights.

Job Description

The Human Resources Assistant is responsible for assisting in the administration and coordination of the day-to-day human resources functions, including payroll, recruitment and employment, personnel records, and benefits. This position reports directly to the Director of HR.

Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000

Duties & Responsibilities

• Processes employee payroll within the Backlund Investment Co. system
• Provides support to employee questions and inquiries related to HR, payroll, and time & attendance
• Prepares & posts job announcements, screens applicants, schedules & participates in the interview, testing, and selection processes
• Prepares documents for new hires, administers and monitors new hire onboarding process, & conducts orientations
• Assists in establishing and maintaining employee records in support of HR functions through the HRMS and Aurora database
• Provides administrative support with the coordination, implementation, and management of employee benefits
• Manages and maintains sensitive and confidential information
• Stays abreast of HR trends and legislation, and demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness to changes in employment trends
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education & Work Experience

A degree in Human Resources or a related field is preferred. A minimum of two years' experience in human resources and working with an HR and Payroll Management System (HRMS) is also required. Payroll certification is strongly desirable.

Mental & Physical Requirements

Ability to sit for extended periods viewing a computer screen, stand/kneel/bent on occasion, work under high-pressure situations while remaining composed, detail focus, organization, prioritization, and time management skills are critical, and the ability to lift up to 20 lbs. on occasion.

Competencies

Knowledge of working with an HRMS, knowledge of commonly used basic HR concepts, practices, and procedures, demonstration of understanding relationship management & communications, knowledge of working on payroll processing systems, strong verbal & written communication skills, forward-thinking ability, presentation skills, and adept at problem solving/analysis.