Microfinance and Development Venture Capital

CEO CFO and Controller and other positions at Banks and Thrifts

Van Roden Associates is looking for several talented senior executive positions, including CFO positions and subsidiary President /CEO positions as well as several finance and accounting roles, selected job descriptions below :

The West:

·         SVP of Loan Administration $250M fast growing IOC bank in NV

·         Controller $2B bank in

California

 

·         External Financial Reporting Manager

·         Controller in Bay Area

·         VP of Finance, Financial Reporting Manager Los Angeles based bank under $1B. 

Midwest

:

·         President of a mortgage bank subsidiary of a strong community bank in

Midwest

·         Chief Financial Officer $140M assets Bank in

Southeast Ohio

.

·         Corporate Development / Marketing Director Northeastern Ohio at a nationally recognized financial services consulting firm.

·         Chief Internal Auditor  $150M bank in OH

·         Treasurer positions at two multi billion dollar banks

·         CFO of a de novo bank in prosperous Central Ohio Community.

·         Director of Corporate Business Development Cleveland based Insurance and Bank Consulting firm.

Northeast/MidAtlantic:

·         Chief Compliance Western PA area multi billion dollar bank

·         Chief Executive Officer of a de novo Bank forming in

Connecticut

·         Chief Financial Officer at de novo bank forming in MA

·         Chief Financial Officer at a community bank  in CT

·         Chief Financial Officer at a Community Bank $500M

Central Pa

·         Financial Analyst Officer

Southeast:

·         COO of $150M community bank with aggressive growth plans and great market in VA

·         CFO at growing bank in NC

·         Financial Reporting Manager NC

·         Tax manager at $2B bank

Florida

·         Treasurer at Central VA Bank $750M.

·         VP of Finance Florida Commercial Bank

·         VP  of Finance, Financial Reporting $700M Bank in

Virginia

Should you know someone who might be qualified, please forward the job descriptions below to them.  They may contact Barry Van Roden directly at (917) 204 - 6339 or by email at barryv@vanrodenassociates.com.

Regards,

Barry J. van Roden
van Roden Associates
-maximizing the potential of our clients and our candidates-
(212) 387 -8171– office
(917) 204-6339 – mobile
barryv@vanrodenassociates.com

www.vanrodenassociates.com

*Should you like your email removed from our industry contacts, reply to this email and type ‘remove’ in the subject box.

West:

Controller

Position Reports to:  Chief Financial Officer

Positions supervised: Supervises accounting staff and coordinates closely with Treasury, ALCO, Financial Planning and Budgeting functions.

Position Purpose:

·         Directs, coordinates, maintains, and controls an accounting system that properly reflects the financial position of the Bank.

·         Monitors accounting department policies and procedures and recommends improvements.

·         Ensures that accounting activities are in accordance with established legal regulatory and company procedures.  Ensures accurate internal and external recording and reporting of financial transactions.

·         Responsible for maintaining accurate general ledger.

·         Performs tax planning activities involving sales and use tax, business and property taxes, and income taxes.

·         In conjunction with, and at the direction of, the Chief Financial Officer, manages SEC (including Sarbanes Oxley processes) and all external regulatory reporting processes.

Essential Functions and Basic Duties:

In conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer, plans, develops and implements effective accounting policies and procedures.

a.       Maintains accounting systems that comply with G.A.A.P., tax requirements, SEC requirements, and management reporting needs.

b.       Supervises the development and implementation of financial information and control systems.

Effectively prepares, maintains, analyzes and reports on internal and external financial records.

a.       Oversees the preparation of daily, monthly, annual and other periodic financial statements and reports (e.g. Annual Report, 10K, 10Q,).   

b.       Ensures that external document submissions and filings are accurate and timely.

c.       Coordinates the annual audit and ensures that accounting records and reports are in compliance with G.A.A.P. standards and government regulations.  Cooperates with, and assists, external auditors as required.

Performs other duties as required or assigned.

1. Stays informed of trends and changes in the accounting and finance fields.
2. Proactively interacts with management throughout the organization to provide information necessary to assist in their decisioning processes.
3. Consistently looking for opportunities to enhance productivity throughout the organization.
4. Completes special accounting projects as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

• Performance planning, coaching, development and evaluation.
• Collaboratively establishes measurable goals for department and Team members.
• Recommends hire and fire decisions, and salary actions.

Qualifications

Education:                                 

• Graduation from accredited 4-year college or university leading to a degree in accounting or finance.  Advanced degree helpful.
• CPA preferred.

Required Knowledge:      

• Thorough knowledge of bank financial processes and GAAP accounting practices including proper internal controls..
• Must be proficient in Bank Financial Reporting and Call reporting. 
• Understanding of governmental regulations and reporting requirements.

Experience Required:    

• 10 years related bank accounting or financial management experience.
• Public accounting experience (at least 2-3 years).            
• Likely currently functioning as a bank controller or assistant controller and looking to join a larger organization.
• Experience in SEC reporting including Sarbanes Oxley is a requirement
• Prior supervisory/management experience.

Skills/Abilities:               

• Advanced personal computer skills with ability to effectively use related business applications.
• Solid analytical, mathematical and technical skills. 
• Strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Ability to organize, coordinate and direct projects. 
• Ability to incorporate Our Client’s core values into working relationships with customers and team members, to communicate openly and honestly, and to positively adapt to change.

Mental and Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Mental Requirements:

• Ideal candidate will possess a thirst for knowledge and an unfailing commitment to the highest quality work product possible.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals, and to effectively present information orally and in writing.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts (such as probability and statistical inference) and apply such concepts to practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Physical Requirements: 

• Uses fingers and hands to make small movements, e.g. typing, using office equipment. 
• Normal talking, seeing and hearing. 
• Sedentary work; sits most of the time.

Working Conditions:      

• Works in a typical office environment.

CFO

Job Description

Summary

Responsible for strategic initiatives and planning, corporate expansion outside of existing regions, regulatory reporting, risk management and management of corporate investment portfolio.  Oversees all financial functions including; capital allocations and management, accounting, budget, insurance, tax and treasury.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Include the following – other duties may be assigned.)

·  Responsible for managing the company’s investment portfolio in accordance with regulatory constraints and bank policy.

·  Responsible for the Bank’s financial records and reports and an accounting system that provides financial controls and financial data relative to earnings, costs, budgets and trends.

·  Collaborates with President/CEO to establish the current and long-range objectives, plans and polices of the bank, as directed and approved by the board of directors.

·  Responsible for developing strategic initiatives such as developing new/allied lines of business and corporate planning.

·  Prepares, presents and interprets financial reports to management, shareholders, board of directors and government agencies.

·  Develops and prescribes adequate financial procedures to provide the basis for management decisions and controls.

·  Maintains the company’s accounting system.

·  Manages the entire range of financial activities of the organization including, budget, tax and accounting functions.

·  Dispenses advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out major plans and procedures, consistent with established bank policies and President/CEO approval

·  Oversees operations of the bank through comparison of operating results with established objectives; recommends measures to be taken to correct unsatisfactory results.

·  Counsels management on fiscal controls and profitability.

·  Maintains a current knowledge and compliance with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements.

·  Supports the company’s Mission/Vision/Values.

Education and/or Experience

Master’s degrees (M.A.) or equivalent in business administrations, finance or related field with extensive background in financial institution management; minimum ten years or more in a senior management level position; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

CPA License Preferred

Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

SUMMARY

Together with the President/CEO and CFO, forms a management team to ensure efficient and integrated operations of all businesses.  Manages and directs the organization toward its primary objectives, based on profitability and return on capital.  Responsible for overall implementation and management of financial institution objectives, policies and strategic plans.  Provides leadership for Regional Presidents and assigned departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

·         Works with President/CEO and CFO to establish current and long-range objectives, plans and policies of the bank, as directed and approved by the board of directors.

·         Provides direct supervision to the following positions:  Regional Presidents, Trust Executive Manager and SVP of Marketing.

·         Oversees operations of the Regions and assigned Departments through comparison of operating results with established objectives; ensures that measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results.

·         Identifies opportunities for growth and development, and develops strategic plans for the bank to reach these goals.

·         Responsible for developing new business and the maintenance of existing customer relationships.

·         Coordinates lending activities through gui

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ce and direction of Regional Presidents.

·         Dispenses advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out major plans and procedures, consistent with established bank policies and board approval.

·         Responsible for planning, organizing and directing the bank’s corporate advertising, marketing, business development calling efforts and public relations functions.

·         Represents the bank and provides leadership in key community activities, including business, charitable, non-profit, civic, and social organizations to maintain a proper responsible citizen stature for the bank.

·         Provides gui

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ce of personnel activities which affect the key bank management team, including salary administration, management incentive, and region/department performance objectives, to ensure solid team efforts toward the attainment of established goals.

·         Responsible for hiring, development, performance review and disciplinary counseling of assigned employees.

·         Supports the Company’s Mission/Vision/Values initiative.

·         Maintains a current knowledge and compliance with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements

·         Delivers quality of service as defined by department standards.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree (M. A.) or equivalent in business administration, finance or related field with extensive background in financial institution management; minimum ten years or more in a senior management level position; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

External Reporting Director

Responsibilities:

-          Managing, participating and enhancing the process for preparation of quarterly financial statements, annual report and related year-end filings to include all financial and regulatory reporting. 

-          Mastery of US GAAP, financial reporting and accounting standards.   

-          Acts as advisor to subordinate(s) to meet schedules and/or resolve technical problems.  Develops and administers schedules and performance requirements; may have budget responsibilities. 

-          Determines tax and financial reporting impact of new disclosure requirements based on FASB and SEC requirements etc. 

-          Performs financial analysis, tax analysis, financial and regulatory reporting (Federal Reserve Board), and managerial duties with minimal supervision. 

-          Comprehensive technical knowledge of general accounting principles and policies, financial and regulatory reporting, and corporate income and other tax issues. 

-          Ensuring that appropriate evidential support is maintained to support all disclosures in the Company's SEC filings

-          Assisting with the maintenance and updating of Sarbanes-Oxley 404 monitoring processes and procedures

-          Providing technical research on accounting issues and new accounting standard

-          Reviewing and providing feedback on existing accounting policies

-          Excellent analytical, project management, interpersonal, organizational, planning, PC, and written/verbal communication skills. 

-          Strong managerial skills.

-          Ability to multi-task and meet critical deadlines. 

-          Computer literacy; proficient with use of Excel, Word.

-         

Qualifications

Accounting/finance undergraduate degree.  CPA.  8-10 years of external reporting experience; minimum 4 years of big four public accounting experience; audit manager big four public accounting firm preferred.

Mid-Atlantic/Northeast:

Chief Executive Officer, de Novo Bank

Connecticut

A proposed de novo Bank in

Central Connecticut

, is seeking candidates for the position of Bank President/CEO. Not only should the successful candidate be approvable by the regulators, he or she must possess solid knowledge of all aspects of bank lending, operations, finance, business development, and marketing.  The banks has strong board many of whom have participated in de novo bank in the past.  They have an approved business plan and a significant amount of the starting capital between $9M to $13M is the target will come from the founders.   The missing piece is the right CEO.   

Working with the Board of Directors, Bank Organizers and Bank Consultants, the Bank President/CEO shall among others:

a)  Refine business plans that includes competitive positioning strategies, and multi-year profit targets, and operating and capital expenditure budgets;

b)  Assist in completing the requirements for the regulatory filings;

c)  Take the lead in recruiting the bank's key personnel, developing the necessary bank structure, policies and guidelines, determining appropriate bank location, core technology and other logistical requirements, and negotiating contracts with vendors and suppliers;

d)  Participate in the raising of bank capital; and

e)  Perform other tasks that will lead to the successful opening of the proposed de novo bank.

Education, training, experience:

The successful candidate shall preferably have de novo and/or community bank experience in

Connecticut

, strong interpersonal skills,, ability to work effectively in an entrepreneurial environment, and demonstrated successful career path in the banking industry reflected by increasing P&L responsibility. The successful candidate shall also be able to assume the Bank President/CEO position by the end 2006/early 2007.

Compensation: Competitive Salary and Equity stake a consideration.  Send resume to:  Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com

Senior Internal Auditor

10 years experience BA/BS required.  Would like someone who is certified as an auditor or CPA or willing to be certified  (company will pay for school)  Manage a staff of 5 - the staff is senior with experience (15-20 years) Does not want a small community banker - want someone who has either worked or works for regional or big bank

Need someone who comes from the Audit/Compliance side of Loan Review. Can come from the lending side if they have audit/compliance in

background but would not be a first choice. 

Company has grown substantially and will continue to grow organically and thru acquisitions that makes sense. This is a highly visible position / department as they will interact with the board and Senior Management

Excellent relocation package - candidates considered for relo should have a reason to go to

Pittsburgh

area. Resumes can be emailed to Barry van Roden, Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com or call Barry van Roden at (917) 204 - 6339 for more information.

Financial Analyst Officer ( or a Controller or Comptroller)

Experience/ Requirements

• Prepare Quarterly 10Q, 10K and 8K reports
• Evaluate and implement GAAP
• Maintains compliance with GAAP and internal controls as required by Sarbanes Oxley
• BS/BA degree in accounting
• 10+ years progressive experience
• MBA, CPA, MS - preferred - but will look at someone very experienced without these certifications/advance degrees
• Minimum 3 years Supervisor/Management Experience -will have 3 direct reports and 5 indirect reports
• Compensation - current range is $56-90K - but they are aware that most candidates are going to be at the top or higher.

Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com or call Barry van Roden at (917) 204 - 6339 for more information.

Senior Audit Manager

A $5B bank in

Western PA

is seeking a Manager of the Loan Review Department in order to provide credit support services to customers and to assist in the ongoing management of credit risk.  Prepares the budget for loan review annually and monitors year-to-date performance with respect to the budget monthly.  A Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field with a minimum of 12 credits in accounting/finance or related equivalent experience is required.  A minimum of ten (10) years related experience. Must have thorough knowledge of current lending regulations; proficient interpersonal relations; working knowledge of bank operating policies and procedures and demonstrated supervisory skills.  Professional designations such as Loan Review Certificate, CPA, CFSA, CBA, or CIA are required.

1. Responsible for the management of the organization’s loan review function:

a.       Determine the scope of the review function to be performed.

b.       Schedules regional bank reviews.

c.       On-site examination of credit files and lending operations.

d.       Completes reports of reviews.

e.       Presents findings to management.

f.        Monitors supervision and training of departmental staff.

g.       Follows-up on affiliates’ loan review process.

h.       Recommends changes/additions to policy.

2. Special asset duties:

a.       Participates with affiliates in the development of resolution plans for specific troubled           loans.

b.       Reviews Watch List credits and related resolution plans with management.

c.       Reviews required management information reporting for trouble loans.

d.       Monitors charge-off and recovery programs at affiliates.

3. Directs through the appropriate personnel, the risk and rating and the review of underwriting, documentation and administration of loan portfolios of the affiliates.  This is accomplished by directing job assignments; conducting performance evaluations; salary administration; and addressing training needs.
4. Assures on an ongoing basis the timely completion of the full and interim loan review engagements, related reports, upgrade/removal from Watch List request, and discussions of findings with management.
5. Evaluates and tracks the response from management regarding the narrative reports to the full loan review.
6. Presents the loan review reports to the organizations and affiliates Audit Committees.
7. Prepares the budget for loan review annually and monitors year-to-date performance with respect to the budget monthly.
8. Advise employees of the affiliates of policies and procedures, as necessary.
9. Complies with regulations and laws relating to the function of the position.
10. Responds to inquiries relating to his/her particular area, or to requests from other bank personnel, etc., within given time frames and within established policy.
11. Supports the organization’s commitment to ongoing quality service enhancement by participating in multi-disciplined guidance and project teams, as appropriate.
12. Abides by current laws and organizational policies and procedures designed and implemented to promote an environment, which is free of harassment and other forms of illegal discriminatory behavior in the workplace.
13. Conducts all business affairs, both personally and as a representative of the organization according to the high ethical and professional standards established by our client and the banking affiliate Board of Directors, and according to the approved Conflict of Interest/Business Ethics Policy.
14. Cooperates with, participates in, and supports adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness.
15. Cooperates with, participates in, and supports the company’s compliance with all regulatory requirements, e.g. Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act, etc.
16. Assumes responsibility for assisting in his/her professional development; adheres to the guidelines and targets established within his/her Performance Assessments.
17. Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the unit or department as well as with other units and departments in order to insure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
18. Other job-related duties as assigned or directed.

Requirement

1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field with a minimum of 12 credits in accounting/finance or related equivalent experience is required
2. A minimum of ten (10) years related experience.
3. Supervisory experience required.
4. Proficient PC skills including Word, Excel and Access.
5. Professional designations such as Loan Review Certificate, CPA, CFSA, CBA, or CIA.
6. Ability to operate office equipment (telephone, 10-key adding machine, PC, CICS, fax, copier, etc.).
7. Must have valid driver’s license.
8. Proficient reading, writing, and grammar skills; proficient analytical and mathematical skills; proficient communicative and interpersonal relations skills.
9. Ability to comply with established budgets and operate within budgetary constraints.
10. Ability to communicate effectively with management and staff; strong and current knowledge of laws and regulations affecting loan review, special assets function, organizational policies and procedures relative to loan review and special asset administration is required.

Experience in problem credit resolution, bankruptcy, analysis, documentation, structuring and administration of commercial and consumer loans are a must.

Resumes can be emailed to Barry van Roden, Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com or call Barry van Roden at (917) 204 - 6339 for more information.

Midwest

: 

VP Treasury

Job Summary
Responsible for managing the interest rate risk management process through the ALCO process and managing the commercial loan swap program.

Job Requirements
Communicate with regional presidents regarding spread performance and offer guidance in making pricing decisions. Prepare at least quarterly a “white paper” on spread and/or NIM performance to be presented to the ALCO committee. Annually prepare market and liquidity risk assessments for presentation to the Board Risk committee and quarterly prepare summary liquidity and market risk assessments. Prepare commercial loan swap quotes as requested by the bank commercial lenders. Additionally educate new lenders on the commercial loan swap program. Manage the monthly process of preparing the ALCO package to monitor compliance with the ALCO policy. Annually update the ALCO policy. Ensure procedure manuals are up to date and answer regulatory requests regard interest rate risk management. Serve as a contact on financial theory queries from regional management teams. Prepare purchase accounting valuations during the due diligence process in acquisitions and prepare the final purchase accounting entries and amortization and accretion schedules as of acquisition date. Develop and maintain management information system for ongoing margin and liquidity management. Prepare executive reviews of product and pricing strategies as proposed by regional management teams. Prepare and publish weekly Funds Transfer Pricing rates. In conjunction with FTP rates answer theoretical questions and provide education on the fundamental workings of bank’s funds transfer pricing systems. Work closely with Senior VP Funds Management to develop risk management tools needed to appropriately assess risk levels and to determine the amount tolerance to effectively manage that risk.

Qualifications and Preferred Abilities
Bachelors Degree in Finance with three to five years of experience in interest rate risk, capital markets or information systems. Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.

                                          

President: Mortgage Bank Subsidiary

We are looking for someone to become the president of the subsidiary mortgage bank.  They would be tasked with growing that business as aggressively as possible.  The bank holding company is about $400M in assets in the central IL. Compensation would be competitive with profit sharing incentives intended to be a significant part of the compensation package.

Should you know someone who might be qualified, please feel free to forward this email to them.  They may contact me directly at (917) 204 - 6339  or by email at  barryv@vanrodenassociates.com

Senior Auditor – West Virginia Bank holding company under 500M in assets

Senior Audit Manager – Central Ohio Bank under 500M

Southeast:

CFO – rapidly growing niche bank

Our Client is a rapidly-growing, $400 million asset commercial bank. Headquartered in

North Carolina

and having loan production offices in all major high-tech cities in the U.S. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CFO will be responsible for Finance, Accounting and Investment Functions of the Bank and Holding Company. As a key member of the company's Executive Leadership Team, this executive will have a significant impact on the success of the company, and will have extensive interaction with other senior executives. As such, s/he should be recognized as a dynamic, charismatic leader with significant experience with commercial banking and bank holding companies. The ideal candidate will also have experience in bank operations and technology.

There are four strategic areas of responsibility for the CFO:

1. Budgeting and Planning

Management of budgeting process.

Generation of district and business-unit forecasting capability and regular forecasts.

Provide input into key strategic decisions concerning customer prioritization and pricing.

Actively involved in audit and Board meetings, presenting financial reports at monthly Board meetings

Participate in the development of compensation plans.

Oversee or manage internal and external audit programs

2. Financial Operations

Develop/build/direct the accounting and finance team to carry out strategic objectives.

Develop and implement the strategy, functions, initiatives, and activities that support the company's strategic plan.

Recruit, motivate and mentor members of the finance team to support corporate objectives.

Principal staff liaison to the Board Audit Committee, responsible for internal audit functions; work with VP Finance to staff Asset Liability Committee.

Represent the company in vendor and partner contract negotiations.

Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets and financial reports that will assist the CEO and other senior managers in their management responsibilities, including quarterly and annual report to shareholders

Manage external audit and presentation of non-qualified audited financial statements

3. Financing /IPO Prep / Investor Relations

Lead due diligence efforts related to debt and equity financing.

Lead analysis of data and advice on potential business-line expansions, acquisitions and development of costing and pricing models.

Development of comparables of other (private and public) industry leaders

Prepare Bank for a potential IPO, including Sarbanes Oxley compliance

Advance the Bank's relationship with the financial community. With CEO, manage relationships with the financial community and investors.

Keep the financial community current on company performance and trends.

4. Tax and Treasury

Evaluate and advise on the impact of long range planning, introduction of new programs/ strategies, and regulatory interactions.

Ensuring compliance with all tax reporting requirements including income tax, franchise tax, and employment taxes.

Send resume to:  Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com or call us at 917-204-6339

SVP – Controller

Will manage all aspects of the accounting function, including Accounting Policy, General Accounting, Accounting Operations (Accounts Payable and Payroll), Corporate Tax, and Internal and External Reporting. This is a critical position that will interact with the Board of Directors and will report directly to the CFO and lead a team of approximately 15 to 20.

The successful Director of Finance candidate must possess:
• current banking experience
• strong technical, communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence others
• a strategic focus with the ability to think creatively and make critical decisions regarding the utilization of management resources
• strong understanding of macro and micro business issues as well as the factors that drive the banking industry
• past experience engineering a turnaround and building teams
• excellent understanding of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley
• meticulous attention to detail
• desire for career advancement
• 4-year degree in Accounting or related field
• CPA license
• treasury experience

Financial Reporting/Accounting Officer

A $500M national bank is seeking a self-motivated individual to assume responsibility for external financial reporting, accounting policy, and other important finance department functions. 

Primary responsibilities will include:

·         Development, preparation, and filing of reports for submission to the SEC and banking agencies.  Reports include annual 10-K’s and proxy statements, quarterly 10-Q’s, and periodic 8-K’s 

·         Preparation of SEC disclosures including financial statements, footnotes, and MD&A 

·         Review and analysis of new and existing accounting pronouncements to determine the impact to the Company 

·         Establishing appropriate accounting policies and procedures for the Company

·         Maintenance of proper internal controls over financial records 

·         Assistance with investor relations activities

·         Other Finance Department projects         

Successful candidates should have an undergraduate degree in accounting, professional experience in accounting and SEC reporting, and a strong background in GAAP.  CPA preferred.  Public accounting and bank accounting experience is a plus.

General work hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Benefits include: competitive salary, cash Profit Sharing, 401(k), Pension, Medical, Life, Dental, Vision, EAP, STD, and LTD.  Send resume to:  Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com

SENIOR AUDITOR

Central VA

multi bank holding company is seeking a candidate who should have a minimum of 4 years prior audit experience in banking.  Must be able to work on projects with minimal supervision and meet time schedules.  Position involves supervising other auditors on large projects.  Knowledge of banking and regulatory compliance required.  Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree. Certification as a CPA or CBA preferred.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills and PC skills a must.

Responsibilities include:

• audit planning
• performing audit procedures
• evaluating internal controls
• documenting department processes and procedures
• identifying and developing audit issues
• reviewing audit work papers
• drafting audit  reports
• monitoring the day-to-day progress on work assigned to other auditors

VP Financial Analyst

Large Multi-Billion dollar bank is looking for a financial analyst who will report to the Accounting and Finance Manager and focus on budget forecasting and variance, loan and deposit rates and volume, net interest margin forecasting and strategies for expanding NIM, as well as merger and acquisition expansion. Non-Interest expense and fixed asset analysis and over all G&L. 3 -5 years experience.

Tax Analyst

Reports to the Controller.  Multi billion regional (Southeast) financial services holding company, in a growing market place.

Primary Duties:   

·         Tax compliance (federal, state, and local)

·         Tax return preparation (federal and multi-state) and/or review   

·         Implementation and management of tax planning strategies

·         Responding to and coordinating inquiries by governmental bodies

Minimum Requirements:

·         3+ years experience in corporate taxation

·         Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Taxation

·         CPA and professional experience in banking a Plus, but not required.

·         Strong organizational, communication (verbal and written), and analytical skills.

·         Strong computer skills – Proficient with Microsoft Office applications

Financial Book side accounting for tax preparation. Tax Preparation, Tax strategies 3-5 years experience, CPA not required but desired.

Resumes can be emailed to Barryv@vanrodenassociates.com and or call Barry van Roden at (917) 204 – 6339

Perspective on Prosper and Kiva (from BusinessWeek)

A Tale of Two Lenders
Two startups with similar goals travel very different paths

In 2004, while backpacking through Northern California's Desolation Wilderness, Chris Larsen told his buddy John Witchel about the concept of a hoi. Larsen, whose wife is Vietnamese, described how entrepreneurs in that country join cooperatives called hoi, then pool their resources to give one another informal loans. Not long after, the topic came up again as Larsen and Witchel hashed out business ideas at Larsen's dining room table in San Francisco's tony Russian Hill. At the time Larsen, 45, was the founder and chairman of online lender E-Loan, but he was ready for a new challenge. The competitive Witchel, 39, was hungry for another go at the dream: He had watched the software company he had founded, Red Gorilla, disappear when it ran out of money in 2000. What if, they wondered, they started a company that let people bypass banks and get small loans from one another?

Around the same time, across the city in a modest Noe Valley flat, Matthew Flannery, a 27-year-old product developer at TiVo, was receiving long e-mails from his new wife, Jessica. She was a consultant in Kenya and Uganda with Village Enterprise Fund, a San Carlos (Calif.) microfinance organization. The 26-year-old described how she drove from village to village, evaluating the living conditions of business owners who had received $100 loans from the fund. "A little bit of money does so much,'' she wrote. What if, Matthew thought, he started a company that would let Americans lend money to struggling entrepreneurs in Uganda, enabling those entrepeneurs to bypass banks and loan sharks?

In March, 2005, Flannery mocked up a Web site, Kiva.org, which, loosely translated from Swahili, means "agreement.'' A month earlier, Larsen and Witchel had launched Prosper.com, a site that helps individuals loan each other small amounts. Both businesses are pioneers in microlending, a field born in the 1970s that is gaining prominence. Muhammad Yunus, who founded microlender Grameen Bank in 1976, won the 2006 Nobel peace prize for developing the idea of making small loans to entrepreneurs who otherwise might not be able to raise money. Entrepreneurs and philanthropists including Bill Gates and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar increasingly consider microlending an important strategy for lifting people out of poverty.

Kiva and Prosper share more than the goal of increasing access to capital. Both strive to keep operations lean, and both wrestle with a complicated regulatory environment. But Prosper is a dot-com, and Kiva is a dot-org. Prosper is a classic Silicon Valley baby, nourished by $20 million in venture capital and heavy-hitting backers including Accel Partners, Benchmark Capital, Fidelity Ventures, and the Omidyar Network. As a nonprofit, Kiva relies on donations and grants, which so far total $250,000.

The different models affect not only the superficial -- guess which company has slicker offices -- but also the fundamental. One key question: How will the benefits and challenges of each model affect its results? The issue is increasingly relevant for entrepreneurs whose businesses have an explicit social mission, be it protecting the environment or helping the disadvantaged. "Choosing between for-profit and nonprofit is becoming more of a common dilemma for entrepreneurs,'' says Alan Abramson, director of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy program at the Aspen Institute. "This is becoming an uncomfortable choice to make because they're trying to do both.''

Soon after their dining table epiphany, Prosper's Larsen and Witchel each kicked in $10,000 and hired a lawyer to see if their idea would fly with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. In early 2005, they started offering programmers contract work and the promise of equity, and soon they had six employees. "They weren't doing it for charity,'' says the sandy-haired, soft-spoken Larsen. "There was no question we were going to get funded because of our track record.'' In April, Prosper raised $7.5 million from Benchmark and Accel. Prosper moved into a 2,500-square-foot office with furniture left over from a dot-com that went bust. Larsen brought his computer and office chair from home.

Larsen and his colleagues developed a site where those in need of cash can set up an account and list the amount they want to borrow and the maximum interest they will pay. Prosper's analytic tools assign each borrower a rating based on his or her credit record. Other Prosper users then offer a portion of the capital and bid on the interest rate. Those with the lowest bids become lenders. Last February, Fidelity and Omidyar Network invested $12.5 million in Prosper. "We didn't need the money,'' says Larsen, "but we wanted the brainpower.''

At Kiva, Flannery also worked his connections, albeit far less moneyed ones. He asked Moses Onyango, a pastor Jessica had met in Uganda, to gather $3,100 in loan requests from seven businesses, including a vegetable stand and a fishmonger. "The idea was that we would divide the loans into shares and sell them to the friends and family from our wedding invitation list,'' says Flannery. The loans wouldn't collect interest, but the shares sold in three days. Flannery collected the money through PayPal and wired it to Onyango, who then distributed the money to the entrepreneurs. Each succeeded in repaying the loan within the year.

Encouraged, the Flannerys organized a second round; this time, they invited the public to make loans. "I had this idea about sponsoring a business,'' he remembers. "That word was running through my head because I grew up sponsoring children.'' (His family donated to World Vision in the 1980s.) Jessica worked with Onyango to collect loan requests from 50 Ugandan entrepreneurs. Matt built a tool to create MySpace.com-like profiles for each one and sent out a press release. In November, 2005, two high-traffic blogs, Daily Kos and Boing Boing, featured the site. Within three days, 50 loans had been made for a total of $25,000. After talking with his mentor, Bob King at Peninsula Capital, and his brother-in-law, venture capitalist Peter Cochran, with Vulcan Capital, Flannery decided to take the nonprofit route. "What we were doing was highly experimental,'' he says. "I thought that as a nonprofit I could get early support I probably couldn't get from a VC.''

Unlike Prosper, Kiva works only with entrepreneurs, which it finds with the help of microfinance institutions in developing countries. Those partners bring their clients to Kiva instead of to a local bank. Kiva posts pictures of the borrowers on its site and shows how each would use a loan. When a loan is made, Kiva transfers the funds to its partners. Lenders, who are usually repaid within a year, can read blog updates from entrepreneurs they've sponsored.

Last July, Kiva's six employees moved into an airy, 1,300-square-foot office in a Mission District warehouse with exposed brick and an assortment of secondhand furniture. Kiva also inherited its best talent from other places. Chief Operating Officer Olana Hirsch Khan came to Kiva in May after six years in sales at Google, and Premal Shah, who made his fortune as one of eBay's first employees, became Kiva's president last year. Shah and Flannery now earn about $3,300 a month, and Jessica volunteers while she finishes at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Says Flannery: "In the future, we'd like to scale this to the point where people are paid the salaries that will give them incentive to do the work.''

Since July, Prosper's 25 employees have inhabited 111 Sutter, a 9,000-square-foot space with a majestic wood-paneled conference room and a showstopping view of San Francisco Bay. The rent is more than seven times Kiva's. Prosper's employees could do quite a bit better as well: As part of competitive pay packages, they receive options that vest in four years.

In all but four states, Prosper has secured a lending license by meeting the terms of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. So far, Larsen says, default rates roughly mirror those at major lending institutions. Prosper receives 1% of the loan amount; lenders pay an annual servicing fee of 0.5% of the amount they lend. That money leaves Larsen, who is CEO, and Witchel, who is chief technology officer, free to concentrate on building the business and to add new features to the site.

That's freedom Flannery would like to have. He spends three-quarters of his time raising funds. He can't replicate Prosper's model in the U.S. because the legal expenses would be too much. Instead, Kiva plans to expand by introducing low interest rates to attract more lenders.

It is not surprising that Prosper's reach is so much broader than Kiva's. In its first seven months, Prosper's 100,000 registered users have made $22 million in loans, averaging about $5,000. Kiva's 15,000 lenders have made $1.2 million in loans, with an average loan size of $500. That translates into success for both companies, whose founders agree that there is room in the wide-open field for both models. Says Kiva's Shah: "Right now there are so few people doing this and it's so experimental, we need to help each other. If either model has a significant flaw, it could destroy the credibility for everyone."

Accion Paper

The Global Microcredit Summit commissioned Accion International to produce a paper. Microfinance Through the Next Decade: Visioning the Who, What, Where, When and How by Beth Rhyne and Maria Otero note "While major advances will be made in reaching people who are currently unreached, including many very poor people, we expect that at the end of the decade there will still be a challenge to reach the poorest, rural and most remote clients."

"What's Wrong with Microfinance?"

Malcolm Harper, former chairman of BASIX in India, will be speaking at the Fletcher School tomorrow, Thursday, November 16th. The talk will begin at 5:30pm in Cabot 205. Everyone is welcome. Please see http://fletcher.tufts.edu/directions/Default.asp for directions. A light reception will be served after the event.

UPDATE: An article describing Malcolm Harper's talk can be found at the following website:

http://fletcher.tufts.edu/news/2006/11/harper.shtml

Forbes Article - MicroCredit: Why India is Failing

Hi all-

I highly recommend this article which just came out in Forbes magazine about microfinance in India. It's a very interesting read.  http://www.forbes.com/execpicks/global/2006/1113/026.html

Harvard and Fletcher-Tufts in India

A new report by Prabhu Ghate 'Microfinance in India, State of the Sector' has been released. Congratulations to Harvard Professors Cole, Mullainathan, Field and Pande for their work. Special recognition for Fletcher and Harvard students who worked on pieces of the research, most through CMF -

Elsy Alcala (KSG, Harvard), "What Savings Products do People Want?"

Shinjinee Chattopadhyay (Fletcher, Tufts) "Experiments on Repayment Schedules in VWS, West Bengal". (Reference accidentally omitted from report.)

Iris Korovesi (Fletcher, Tufts), "Staff Incentives in MFIs".

Carissa Page (Fletcher, Tufts), "Reputation and Communication in Microfinance".

Daniel Radcliffe (KSG, Harvard), "A Study of Indian Microfinance Regulation" (forthcoming).

Jeremy Tobacman (Harvard College), "Impact Evaluation of Weather Insurance with SEWA, Gujarat".
Download sector_report1.pdf

Microfinance as Business

David Roodman and Uzma Quresha have released an important piece which systematically reviews the flaws in various social and commercial perspectives in microfinance. You can google Microfinance as Business for a free download. It was released the same day as Millions for Millions, Connie Bruck's article in the New Yorker which contrasts the philosophy of Pierre Omidyar and Mohammed Yunus.

Aga Khan Development Network Jobs

The Aga Khan Development Network is looking for candidates for five positions. Please see attached document for descriptions of the open positions. Qualified candidates can apply c/o AKDN Career Centre www.akdn.org/careers  until 30th November, 2006.

Download akam_positions.doc

Malcolm Harper at Fletcher Nov 16

Professor Malcolm Harper will be visiting Fletcher direct from Delhi. He recently left his long tenure as Chairman of Basix in India (large MFI). He is editor of the SED Journal and a board member of ITDG Publishing. He is widey published himself. He will be speaking at Fletcher on "What's Wrong with Microfinance?"

This event will be open to the public. Event details will be posted on this blog shortly.

Congratulations to Muhammad Yunus & the Grameen Bank!

Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006 for their pioneering efforts in microfinance.

Official Nobel Peace Prize Press Release