Lending Trainee in California

About AgWest Farm Credit

AgWest Farm Credit is a member‑owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven‑state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year‑old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture, and it champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of multiple Lending Trainees to join our Lending and Insurance departments in California and Montana. AgWest Trainees are full‑time positions that report to a Trainee Coordinator during training. Trainees are expected to become experts in their field over time and enter an extensive training program to jump start this process. Combining designated coaches and interaction with experienced professionals, coupled with customer visits, classroom and virtual learning, networking opportunities and hands‑on experience, you’ll be prepared to launch your career at AgWest by the end of our structured, six‑month Training Program. These roles are anticipated to start in a cohort beginning June 2026.

Compensation Information

The base salary for this position is $64,000; bonus at target is 10% of salary. Relocation Assistance: Trainees receive $7,500 (gross) to relocate to their training location. Upon completion of the Training Program, Trainees are assigned to a career start location based on business needs at that time; this may or may not be their training location. If assigned to a career start location other than where they trained, Trainees will receive additional financial assistance. Candidates are asked to take this into consideration before applying.

Training Locations

• Yuba City, California
• Havre, Montana

Essential Duties

• Develop ability to evaluate the creditworthiness of individuals and businesses to assist in determining the likelihood that a borrower will be able to meet their financial obligations.
• Learn how to apply marketing skills and strategies through attending industry and customer events and participating on customer calls and site visits, as assigned.
• Develop an entrepreneurial business perspective by assisting relationship managers with helping customers identify challenges and find solutions to their capital needs.
• Fully participate and succeed in all required classes, projects, and educational opportunities, and successfully complete assigned Training Action Plan.
• Learn to review new credit applications, take in customer information (through interviews, in person and by phone), and input it into AgWest's loan system.
• Assist with applicant credit investigations, including public record searches, credit bureau reports, employment and income verification, and asset and liability verification.
• Develop proficiency in reading audited financial statements, legal opinions, tax records and other financials.
• Learn to structure transactions and develop well written and meaningful credit recommendations.
• Participate in loan servicing activities such as renewals and monitoring loan portfolios including covenant compliance.
• Review loan documents prior to closings to ensure appropriate documentation is completed; may participate in loan closings.
• Establish rapport with and develop and maintain confidence of customers and prospective customers.
• Learn how to inspect and verify the existence, condition, and value of collateral.
• Assist in monitoring loan performance; this may include coordination with other teams and portfolio groups.
• Develop in‑depth understanding of AgWest Products and Services.
• Develop ability to make quality credit decisions working with underwriting teams and through use of Scorecard Lending to ensure customer service, a high‑quality loan portfolio and loan administration.
• Represent, communicate, and contribute to the values, purpose and mission of AgWest in all interactions with colleagues, customers, the public and others.

Travel Requirements

AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all‑staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Pursuing or completion of a bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, ag economics, ag business, or related field (must be of Senior or Graduate Student status). Preferred coursework includes finance, accounting, economics, farm and ranch management, business management, marketing and related courses.
• Two years of directly relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and preferred coursework.
• Effective written and verbal communication, analytical and computer skills, and teamwork demonstrated through involvement in extracurricular activities and outside work experience.
• An agricultural background is desirable.
• Interested applicants must include their transcripts (unofficial okay). Cover letters are recommended, though not required.

Workplace Flexibility

After an initial in‑office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one‑time home office stipend.

Benefits Offered By AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)
• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer
• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program
• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest!
• Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: https://www.farmcreditfoundations.com/fcfbenefits

Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

When you apply for a position with AgWest Farm Credit, we collect personal identifiers (from your resume and other application information you submit), such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number(s) and employment and education related information. This helps us evaluate job applicants for hiring opportunities, and, communicate with them.

To comply with federal regulations for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA), we track our applicants by gender, race/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, and the position for which they applied. You will be presented with a voluntary self‑identification form as part of this application; we wanted you to know why we collect this information and what we do with it. Please be aware that this information is kept separate from your application, and not utilized in the selection process.

For more information about the information AgWest Farm Credit collects, please see the AgWest Farm Credit California Privacy Policy.