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# Chief Financial Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL


Role Overview for Chief Financial Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
JRG Partners is proud to announce an exclusive executive search for a highly accomplished and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on behalf of our client, a prominent and rapidly growing regional bank headquartered in Chicago, IL. This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team of a well-capitalized, community-focused institution and play a pivotal role in shaping its future success, stability, and strategic direction.
The successful candidate will be more than just a financial steward; they will be a strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, providing critical financial insight, leadership, and guidance across all facets of the organization. As the CFO, you will be responsible for the entire fiscal function of the bank, overseeing accounting, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), treasury, capital management, tax, and investor relations.
You will be instrumental in driving profitable growth, managing risk, ensuring stringent regulatory compliance, and enhancing shareholder value. We are seeking a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the banking industry, a proven trackrecord of success in a senior financial leadership role, and the ability to inspire a high-performing team. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic acumen, and exceptional communication skills to navigate the complexities of the modern financial landscape and capitalize on market opportunities within the competitive Chicago metropolitan area.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
The Chief Financial Officer will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Strategic Financial Leadership & Planning
Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the bank’s long-term strategic plans, financial forecasts, and annual budgets. Provide data-driven insights and financial modeling to support key business decisions, including new product development, market expansion, and potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Financial Reporting & Internal Controls
Oversee the timely and accurate preparation of all internal and external financial reports, including monthly financial statements, board packages, and regulatory filings (e.g., Call Reports). Ensure the integrity of the bank’s financial data and reporting by maintaining a robust system of internal controls and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements. Serve as the primary liaison with independent external auditors.
Treasury & Asset/Liability Management (ALM)
Direct all treasury functions, including managing the bank’s liquidity position, interest rate risk, and investment portfolio. Chair or be a key member of the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO), developing strategies to optimize the balance sheet, manage net interest margin (NIM), and mitigate financial risks.
Capital Planning & Management
Develop and implement a comprehensive capital plan that supports the bank’s strategic objectives and ensures regulatory capital adequacy. Analyze and manage the bank’s capital structure, evaluating various sources of capital and making recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure the bank is in full compliance with all local, state, and federal banking regulations. This includes staying abreast of and implementing changes related to agencies such as the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, and the OCC. Proactively manage financial risks and ensure compliance with complex legislation like the Dodd-Frank Act. Partner with the Chief Risk Officer to maintain a strong enterprise-wide risk management framework.
Investor & Stakeholder Relations
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with investors, analysts, rating agencies, and other key financial stakeholders. Effectively communicate the bank’s financial performance, strategy, and outlook to the investment community, ensuring transparency and building confidence.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-caliber finance and accounting team. Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Oversee the functions of accounting, FP&A, treasury, and tax, ensuring the team is structured effectively to support the bank’s growth.
Technology & Process Improvement
Drive the modernization of financial systems and processes. Identify and implement new technologies and best practices to enhance efficiency, improve data analytics capabilities, and strengthen financial controls across the organization.
Requirements for the Chief Financial Officer with a Regional Bank – Chicago, IL
The ideal candidate will possess a distinguished professional background and a comprehensive set of skills to meet the demands of this executive role:
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field is required. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) and/or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is strongly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 7-10 years in a senior management role (e.g., CFO, Controller, or Director of Finance) within a commercial bank or financial institution. Direct experience in a community or regional bank with assets between $1 billion and $10 billion is highly desirable.
Technical Expertise
Deep and comprehensive knowledge of bank accounting, GAAP, and regulatory reporting standards. Proven expertise in ALM, treasury operations, investment portfolio management, and capital planning. Significant experience interacting with federal and state banking regulators is essential.
Strategic Acumen
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and act as a true business partner to the CEO and Board. Experience in M&A, from due diligence through integration, would be a significant asset.
Leadership & Communication Skills
Exceptional leadership and team-building skills with a proven ability to motivate and develop staff. Impeccable written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including the Board of Directors, regulators, and investors.
Personal Attributes
Unquestionable integrity, ethics, and credibility. A hands-on, proactive, and results-oriented leader who thrives in a dynamic environment. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. Must be based in or willing to relocate to the greater Chicago area.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top-tier talent. This includes:

A highly competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonus.
Long-term incentive plan (LTIP), including equity or stock options.
Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
Significant paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Executive-level life and disability insurance coverage.
Allowances for professional development, memberships, and continuing education.
Relocation assistance for an exceptional candidate, if required.
The opportunity to make a significant impact on a respected and growing financial institution.

How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive retained search firm for this confidential opportunity. To express your interest in this executive position, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality. We encourage you to learn more about our dedicated search practice by visiting the JRG Partners’ Financial Officers Practice team page. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss this exceptional career opportunity.