CRA Officer (may be remote within the Civista Bank footprint)

Description

Make an impact where banking and community come together. Civista Bank is seeking an experienced CRA Officer to lead our Community Reinvestment Act strategy and help strengthen the communities we serve. This role is an opportunity to combine your knowledge of CRA regulations with relationship building, community development, and strategic thinking to identify meaningful opportunities that support individuals, businesses, and neighborhoods throughout Civista’s footprint. If you are passionate about community banking and want your work to make a visible difference, we invite you to join the Civista team.

Position Purpose:

The CRA Officer is responsible for the administration, oversight, and execution of the Bank's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program. This position ensures compliance with all applicable CRA regulations, develops and implements community reinvestment strategies, fosters relationships with community organizations and stakeholders, and promotes initiatives that support the credit and financial services needs of low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals and communities.

The CRA Officer serves as the Bank's subject matter expert on CRA compliance and community development activities and works collaboratively across business lines to support regulatory objectives, strategic initiatives, and community impact goals. The position is responsible for monitoring CRA performance, preparing regulatory reports and examinations, identifying opportunities to enhance CRA activities, and promoting a culture of community engagement throughout the organization.

Description of Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations

CRA Strategy and Program Administration

• Develop and implement short- and long-term CRA strategies aligned with the Bank's strategic plan and community development objectives.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of CRA initiatives and recommend enhancements to improve performance and community impact.
• Monitor changing regulatory requirements, industry trends, and best practices related to CRA compliance and community development.
• Coordinate the Bank's overall CRA program and ensure activities are aligned with regulatory expectations and organizational goals.
• Support the Bank's commitment to serving low- and moderate-income individuals, neighborhoods, and underserved markets.

Regulatory Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure ongoing compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act and related regulatory requirements.
• Maintain CRA policies, procedures, and documentation to support regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and submit required CRA reports and analyses for regulatory agencies, executive management, and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate and manage CRA examinations, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Monitor and assess CRA performance data and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulators regarding CRA-related matters.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, nonprofit agencies, government entities, economic development groups, and other community stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for community development investments, services, partnerships, and outreach initiatives.
• Represent the Bank at community events, meetings, public forums, and industry associations.
• Promote the Bank's community development efforts and increase awareness of available financial services and programs.
• Maintain documentation of community contacts, development activities, and outreach efforts for CRA purposes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Compliance, Lending, Retail Banking, Marketing, Mortgage, and other business units to support CRA objectives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination among departments involved in community development and reinvestment activities.
• Provide guidance to management and business partners regarding CRA opportunities and regulatory expectations.
• Assist lines of business in identifying products, services, and activities that support CRA goals.
• Support the integration of CRA considerations into strategic and operational planning.

Training and Education

• Develop and deliver CRA training programs for employees and management.
• Provide ongoing guidance and support regarding CRA regulations, community development activities, and documentation requirements.
• Promote awareness of CRA responsibilities across the organization.
• Ensure employees understand their role in supporting the Bank's CRA program and community reinvestment strategy.

Community Development and Product Innovation

• Identify opportunities to develop or enhance products and services that address the needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and communities.
• Work with business leaders to develop innovative programs supporting affordable housing, small business development, financial literacy, and other community development initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging community needs and recommend strategies to address identified gaps.
• Stay informed regarding industry best practices and innovative approaches to community reinvestment.

Financial Analysis and Program Management

• Conduct analyses to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of community development investments and activities.
• Assist in the development and management of budgets related to CRA and community development initiatives.
• Monitor resource utilization and recommend adjustments to support program effectiveness.
• Prepare analytical reports and recommendations for senior management.

Reporting and Analytics

• Prepare CRA performance reports, community development activity summaries, and management dashboards.
• Analyze lending, investment, and service data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop metrics to monitor program effectiveness and regulatory readiness.
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership committees as needed.

Requirements

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, community development, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and relevant banking or financial services experience will be considered.
• Professional compliance or CRA-related certifications, such as the ABA Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) designation, are preferred but not required.

Experience

• ·Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), regulatory compliance, community development, lending, or a related area within the financial services industry preferred.
• Experience supporting or managing a financial institution’s CRA program, including monitoring CRA performance and preparing for regulatory examinations.
• Experience working collaboratively with lending, compliance, risk management, and other business areas to support CRA objectives.
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with community organizations and other external partners preferred.
• Experience analyzing lending, demographic, market, and other CRA-related data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas of potential risk.

Knowledge / Skills

• Strong working knowledge of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and related banking regulations and regulatory expectations.
• Understanding of CRA examination standards, performance evaluation, documentation, and examination preparedness.
• Knowledge of community development activities, including lending, investments, services, and opportunities to address community needs.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret lending, demographic, market, and performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to develop, monitor, and communicate CRA strategies, goals, and performance measures.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, business-line leaders, employees, regulators, and community organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex regulatory requirements in a clear and practical manner.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn and utilize CRA and compliance-related systems.

Physical Requirements

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires frequent use of a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment. The position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, occasionally move throughout the workplace, and occasionally move or transport office materials weighing up to 15 pounds. The position may require occasional business-related travel.