ROSS PORTER
Dallas,TX
Summary
Credit officer with extensive experience in underwriting commercial real estate, C&I, leveraged loans and high-yield credit at both small and large financial institutions. Expert knowledge of financial statement analysis and valuation. Strong experience in distressed / special situations including (x) the full turnaround of a community Bank under a Consent Order, (y) acquisition of a failed Bank and (z) bankruptcy / restructuring work including underwriting Debtor-In-Possession (DIP) loans. Other critical skills include (i) financial modeling and budgeting, (ii) asset / liability management, (iii) regulatory work, (iv) Board advisory and (v) leadership and development. Active in continuing education and development as a CFA Candidate, having passed the Level II exam.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Credit Officer
Spectra Bank
Dallas, TX
11.2025 - Current
- Led underwriting of loans in the commercial real estate, C&I, and leveraged loan sectors, ensuring safety and soundness.
- Structured and priced potential loan transactions to optimize profitability in a context of risk management.
- Coordinated legal due diligence and collaborated with bank counsel to draft comprehensive loan documents.
- Managed Watch, OAEM, and Substandard credits, implementing strategies to mitigate risk and improve credit quality.
- Worked with the loan operations department to ensure timely, secure transaction closures.
- Designed and managed a syndicated loan portfolio, that has realized an unlevered IRR exceeding 9.0% per annum since 2023.
- Served as a executive loan committee member, ALCO and board adviser for over six years.
- Designed and implemented a full recapitalization plan approved by federal regulators, which resulted in the Bank's Consent Order being lifted.
- Developed annual budget and multi-year profit plans, performing monthly variance analysis for Board reports.
Credit Officer, Vice President
Spectra Bank
Dallas, TX
07.2019 - 11.2025
- Drafted and presented credit approval memorandums to the Bank's executive loan committee for approval.
- Conducted comprehensive analysis of financial statements and collateral valuation to assess the viability of loan transactions.
- Reviewed appraisals and valuation reports for accuracy and compliance, ensuring reliable loan evaluations.
- Recommended approval or disapproval of various loan types based on established criteria.
- Collaborated with loan officers to streamline loan approval processes.
- Trained junior staff on credit assessment procedures, fostering enhanced team expertise in evaluating loan applications.
Senior Analyst
Beal Bank
Plano, TX
06.2016 - 03.2018
- Primary analyst on a team that secured over $1.5 billion in approved transactions.
- Underwrote the purchase of $465 million in senior secured notes from a midstream oil and gas issuer.
- Contributed to financing solutions for corporate restructurings and Chapter 11 bankruptcies.
- Joined bank acquisition team that facilitated the $1.3 billion FDIC loss-share acquisition of a failed bank.
- Sourced and analyzed lending opportunities in leveraged loan, distressed credit, and real estate markets to identify potential investment opportunities.
- Presented transactions directly to CEO.
Independent Derivatives Trader
Dallas, TX
07.2013 - 05.2016
- Primary goal of developing and running a consistently profitable options book in SPX exchange-traded "vanilla" options.
- Implemented extensive pricing and hedging protocols utilizing a variety of tools and models.
Senior Financial Risk Analyst
Fidelity Investments
Westlake, TX
03.2012 - 07.2013
- Authored research reports on mission-critical suppliers, identifying risks that could impact Fidelity's operations.
- Collaborated with C-level executives at supplier firms to assess and enhance financial risk profiles.
Analyst | Large Corporate Debt Products
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Dallas, TX
07.2010 - 08.2011
- Managed credit transactions for a portfolio of media and telecom clients, supporting strategic financial decisions.
- Completed formal credit training at Bank of America's corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC.
- Participated in large transactions involving various financial products, including bank debt and derivatives.
- Collaborated with underwriting team to successfully close the refinancing of a revolving credit facility for the largest commercial printing company in the world.
- Led analysis for team overseeing full recapitalization of a lodging company.
Analyst
Beal Bank
Plano, TX
04.2009 - 07.2010
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics / Economics
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA08-2008
Skills
- Credit underwriting
- Financial statement analysis
- Valuation analysis
- Extensive capital markets knowledge
- Legal due diligence
- Portfolio management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Distressed / Special Situations
- Bank Turnaround experience
- High level regulatory work experience
- Asset / Liability Management
- Strategic planning
- Team collaboration
- Effective communication
- Strong teaching and training skills
- Continuing education
Certification
CFA Candidate - Passed Level II Exam
Timeline
Chief Credit Officer
Spectra Bank
11.2025 - Current
Credit Officer, Vice President
Spectra Bank
07.2019 - 11.2025
Senior Analyst
Beal Bank
06.2016 - 03.2018
Independent Derivatives Trader
07.2013 - 05.2016
Senior Financial Risk Analyst
Fidelity Investments
03.2012 - 07.2013
Analyst | Large Corporate Debt Products
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
07.2010 - 08.2011
Analyst
Beal Bank
04.2009 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics / Economics
University of Southern California