When you're first starting out in a job, the initial learning curve can be overwhelming so larger questions like, "Where do I want to take my career in five or ten years?" can easily get lost under a sea of day-to-day responsibilities.
At First Business Bank, all our managers hold regular 1:1 meetings with their employees so they can discuss their performance goals, development opportunities, and their career goals. We also developed a Personal Employee Experience Resource (PEER) mentoring program to help new employees learn more about the company and its culture and to develop work relationships.
Launching a Career in Financial Services
Josh Harlander, who began his career in credit at First Business Bank, shared insights about his career path — from Credit Analyst to Portfolio Manager II - Commercial Real Estate Banking.
Although he came to First Business Bank from outside banking, he earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and quickly adapted to the Credit Analyst role, which provides a robust foundation for other career opportunities.
"I started in 2019 as a Credit Analyst," he said. "I liked the breadth of deals I was able to work on and learn from. No one deal is the same, so no one day is the same. Everyone in credit was so welcoming and eager to help as well, so coming from outside of banking, they made the learning curve much more comfortable."
"My role as a Credit Analyst helped me to prepare the most for my subsequent positions," he said. "Having a background in all our procedures, familiarity with our portfolio and clients, and experience working with our lenders has all helped me progress in my career at First Business Bank."
Building Professional Relationships Through Mentoring
Mentoring is an important part of the culture at First Business Bank, and Josh's connections helped him feel comfortable at First Business Bank through the PEER program and within his team as a Credit Analyst.
"When I was hired, Eric Schremp was my PEER," Josh said. "In those first three months, it was nice to have someone outside of the credit team to talk to about anything related to the job or the company. Spencer Brink (Credit Analyst) trained me on my first job duties and put up with a lot of questions. Credit Team Lead Laura Meicher put up with even more of my questions!"
Specializing in Commercial Real Estate Banking
In 2021, Josh was promoted to the role of Portfolio Manager – Commercial Real Estate Banking, allowing him to focus his expertise on a specialized subset of the banking industry.
"When I stepped into the Portfolio Manager role for our Commercial Real Estate team, I was excited to dive deeper into this specific area of lending," Josh said. "The commercial real estate sector is dynamic and complex, which makes every day interesting. I particularly enjoy collaborating with our dedicated Commercial Real Estate team and building relationships with our clients in this space."
He added, "Working closely with our commercial real estate clients has been incredibly rewarding. Each project we finance contributes to the growth and development of our communities, and it's gratifying to be a part of that process. The variety of deals we handle – from multifamily housing to office spaces and retail developments – keeps the work engaging and allows for continuous learning."
Career Progression and Recent Promotion
In 2024, Josh was promoted to Portfolio Manager II - Commercial Real Estate Banking, marking another milestone in his career at First Business Bank.
"I'm thrilled to continue my career progression at First Business Bank," Josh commented on his promotion. "This bank has consistently proven to be a supportive employer with a collaborative team that truly prioritizes employee satisfaction. For motivated employees like myself, there are always opportunities to grow and advance."
Advice for Aspiring Financial Services Professionals
Josh and others, like Derek, at First Business Bank make it look easy to transition and build their careers. In reality, many find it somewhat intimidating. Josh has advice that might help if you're considering taking the plunge.
"Dive in!" he said. "As I progressed in the Credit department, I was asked to take on new tasks and projects and I always said yes. Each of those were new learning opportunities and experiences. When you don't know something, just ask. Everyone is so eager to help, and you've got nothing to lose by asking questions."
