Associate General Counsel at Farm Credit Bank of Texas in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

Who we are:

We are a $28billion wholesale bank that's been financing agriculture and rural America for nearly 100 years. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, we provide funding and services to rural lending cooperatives in five states and we're active in the nation's capital markets.Join the Farm Credit Bank of Texas team and help us grow to meet the ever-changing credit needs of food and fiber producers, the agribusiness sector, and rural Americans.If you're looking for a rewarding career with one of the nation's most respected financial institutions - Farm Credit Bank of Texas (FCBT) may be a great fit for you.

While this position may accommodate remote work during the current COVID-19 situation, our employees will return to the office at the thoughtful discretion of the bank's leadership team. Only candidates willing and able to work onsite at our Austin, TX office should consider this opportunity.

Position Description:

The Associate General Counsel role will serve as the primary legal resource to the Credit department, which includes the Association Direct Lending, Capital Markets and Risk Management and Credit Operations departments. This position is responsible for structuring, negotiating, and documenting complex commercial agricultural and agribusiness lending transactions, such as loans to family and large production operations, including farms, ranches, feedlots, dairies, and processing units. This position will render opinions on compliance of loans and loan participations with the scope and eligibility rules, and research and provide guidance on other regulatory requirements of the Farm Credit Act. It will provide guidance on loan participations and syndications, advise on modification and workout of lending matters and manage the LIBOR analysis of the bank's loan portfolio.

Day to Day Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft and review complex commercial credit documents, including syndications and loan participations, and partner with individuals in the ADLU, Agribusiness and Capital Markets departments to provide leadership and legal guidance on loan participations and other legal matters.


• Render opinions on compliance of loans and loan participations with the scope and eligibility rules, reputational risk, and other requirements of the Farm Credit Act.


• Provide advice and guidance on loan interests held by the bank, and provide legal services related to the transfer, servicing, restructuring and collecting of such loans.


• Manage General Finance Agreements, Master Participation Agreements and other agreements with affiliated lending associations in compliance with FCA regulations.


• Participate in Loan Committee and Direct Note Assessment meetings, support Capitalized Participation Pools and Non-Capitalized Participation Pool transactions and support all matters related to Other Financing Institutions, Unincorporated Business Entities and other corporate interests.


• Provide primary legal support for bank's LIBOR transition plan and manage LIBOR analysis of the bank's loan portfolio in close coordination with the Credit and Finance teams.


• Manage litigation and legal notices received.


• Serve on district and system-wide cross-functional workgroups as requested and complete special research and other projects assigned by the General Counsel.

What You Bring to the Team:

Juris Doctor Degree or equivalent and licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and ten(10) years or more of related experience. Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial loan documentation is required. Experience structuring, negotiating and documenting complex commercial lending transactions and legal documents, including large syndicated credits and loan participations, and familiarity with agricultural and agribusiness lending such as loans to both family and large production operations, including farms, ranches, feedlots, dairies, and processing units, is preferred. Experience with consumer loan compliance, real estate law, loan workouts, bankruptcy, and litigation practices are an advantage.

Knowledge of LIBOR transition issues and familiarity with financial markets are helpful.

Must be enthusiastic about proactively engaging with the Credit teams, facilitating solutions, and providing legal leadership. Must have ability to analyze and research legal issues, draft letters and contracts, and provide clarification and guidance in a way that is easily understood by both lawyers and non-lawyers.

Familiarity with debtor/creditor law, real estate law, Truth-in-Lending, RESPA, ECOA and other consumer credit protection laws, security interests, and bankruptcy law and rules is helpful.

Developing an understanding of the Farm Credit Act and FCA regulations, and gaining familiarity with Farm Credit banks, Agricultural Credit Associations, and Federal Land Credit Associations will be required.

Why Farm Credit Bank of Texas:

Benefits are an integral part the Farm Credit Bank of Texas total compensation package. We offer comprehensive, affordable, and competitive benefit options that are focused on health and wellness, financial security, and achieving a work-life balance.

• Flexible health and wellness benefits, including medical insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental insurance, vision care, flexible spending accounts, and more...


• 401(k) plan that includes an employer match and additional employer contribution


• Long-term disability and life insurance


• Vacation leave, sick leave, and paid holidays


• Option to use sick leave to take your pet to the vet for emergency services


• Up to five days per year to volunteer in local community organizations, services, or events


• Ongoing professional development opportunities


• Generous tuition reimbursement program


• Physical fitness incentive plan


• Employer matching gifts program


• 
  

Important note: We care about your hiring process and take it seriously. There is a real person behind the screen and response timelines may vary. The interviewing process at Farm Credit Bank of Texas may include phone calls and emails, on-site interviews, and requests for portfolios or demonstrations of work. Unfortunately, we are unable to personally follow-up with each and every applicant, but we will do our best to create a professional, respectful, and thorough process for candidates with whom we identify as a potential fit. Please be assured, we will contact you if that is the case!

AA/EOE/M/F/D/V