Sarah K. Amstuz
Lincoln,NE
Summary
Accomplished management professional with a strong focus on leading teams through change and innovation. Significant experience in BBCS underwriting, loan documentation, portfolio & risk management, with a proven ability to implement effective solutions to complex challenges. Expertise in building high-performing teams and driving cross-functional collaboration. Committed to delivering outstanding results and achieving organizational goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Portfolio Manager Team Lead & Vice President
USBank
Lincoln, NE
01.2025 - Current
- Lead Regional Portfolio Management Team for Business Banking across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
- Manage six portfolio managers to review and approve all credit actions and financial analyses.
- Collaborate with Quality Management and CRR to ensure precision in credit actions for successful audits.
- Partner with Sales team and CRM to structure customer requests while adhering to bank policies.
Credit Initiatives Manager & Vice President
USBank
Lincoln, NE
04.2023 - 01.2025
- Directed transformational change management initiatives for Union Bank merger and SBA growth strategies.
- Co-led working groups to reorganize credit policy for enhanced clarity and usability.
- Facilitated collaboration meetings between sales and underwriting teams to strengthen interdepartmental relations.
- Led strategy sessions focused on optimizing SBA process from application receipt to loan maintenance.
- Conducted pilot testing of proposed changes to improve SBA underwriting procedures.
- Oversaw change management initiatives for Community Banking/SBLC merger and credit policy adjustments.
Community Banking Credit Services Team Manager
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
06.2018 - 07.2022
- Directed department of 150 professionals managing financial statement spreading, loan monitoring, and documentation for U.S. Bank Community Banking.
- Merged six division-specific teams into one centralized team to enhance operational efficiency.
- Facilitated conflict resolution meetings to improve collaboration between diverse teams.
- Collaborated with U.S. Bank Legal, Lending Services, and Credit Risk Management to enhance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Ensured all Credit Risk Review (CRR) exams completed since merger received satisfactory ratings, as related to financial statement spreading, loan documentation and loan monitoring.
- Acted as nCino Ambassador for U.S. Bank Community Banking during roll-out in July 2022.
- Participated in planning team for Union Bank integration into U.S. Bank operations.
- Spearheaded PPP Program Loan Booking and Funding effort, developing training to ensure successful implementation.
- Oversaw all inquiries related to financial statement spreading, loan documentation, and monitoring within Community Banking.
Division Senior Credit Manager & Vice President
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
03.2010 - 06.2018
- Managed department of 30 individuals in underwriting, financial statement analysis, and loan documentation for Nebraska/SW Iowa Division.
- Reviewed and approved credit displays with exposures between $500K and $1B, maintaining a lending grade of 9 ($3.5MM).
- Conducted division-wide training for Analysts and Relationship Managers on credit policy updates and new employee onboarding.
- Served as primary contact for credit policy inquiries from relationship managers and credit analysts.
- Oversaw portfolio management, including delinquent account reviews and watch credit reports.
- Executed monthly back tests of approved credits to ensure compliance with policies and accurate risk ratings.
- Led CRR audits for 2017, 2015, and 2012, achieving a satisfactory credit process quality rating of “2.”
- Directed efforts for the 2010 CRR follow-up audit, improving regional credit process quality from “3” to “2” and removing formal plans.
Commercial Relationship Manager & Assistant Vice President
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
09.2008 - 03.2010
Credit Analyst/Underwriter & Officer
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
08.2004 - 08.2008
Administrative Assistant
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
08.2003 - 08.2004
Bilingual Retail Teller
U.S. Bank
Lincoln, NE
04.2003 - 07.2003
Education
Masters - Banking And Finance
Pacific Coast Banking School - UW
Seattle, Washington08.2023
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - International Business
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska, NE12-2008
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) - Economics and International Studies
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska05.2003
Skills
- Leadership of multilevel teams
- Risk evaluation and mitigation
- Change management and leadership through change
- Portfolio management and credit assessment
- Problem resolution
- Loan structuring and analysis
- Sales teamwork and collaboration
- Strategic development
- Effective presentations
- Detail orientation
- Enneagram 3
- Gallup Strengths: Intellection, Learner, Activator, Achiever, Harmony
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
- Capital Humane Society, Lincoln, NE, 2020-Present, Foster family for pets needing additional care prior to being ready for adoption.
- Lincoln Midwest Ballet Guild, Lincoln, NE, 2021-Present, Current President, past-Committee chair and performance volunteer
- Lincoln Literacy Council, Lincoln, NE, 2007-Present, Meet weekly with recent immigrant to tutor in English language.
Accomplishments
2020 Legends of Possible Winner
Timeline
Portfolio Manager Team Lead & Vice President
USBank
01.2025 - Current
Credit Initiatives Manager & Vice President
USBank
04.2023 - 01.2025
Community Banking Credit Services Team Manager
U.S. Bank
06.2018 - 07.2022
Division Senior Credit Manager & Vice President
U.S. Bank
03.2010 - 06.2018
Commercial Relationship Manager & Assistant Vice President
U.S. Bank
09.2008 - 03.2010
Credit Analyst/Underwriter & Officer
U.S. Bank
08.2004 - 08.2008
Administrative Assistant
U.S. Bank
08.2003 - 08.2004
Bilingual Retail Teller
U.S. Bank
04.2003 - 07.2003
Masters - Banking And Finance
Pacific Coast Banking School - UW
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - International Business
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) - Economics and International Studies
University of Nebraska, Lincoln