Before beginning his career in commercial banking, Brian Bueche earned a BA in economics from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA in finance from Marquette University. Soon after, he joined M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, where he advanced from a financial analyst to the vice president of commercial loans and commercial real estate. During his tenure with the company, Brian Bueche successfully closed more than $30 million in new business in four years and earned status as a top-performing sales producer. He also mentored other commercial lenders in risk assessment, loan structuring, and credit underwriting.
In 2001, Bueche transitioned to Bankers Bank in Atlanta, where he served as a senior vice president and senior loan officer for more than eight years. He successfully grew the company’s client base, significantly increased loan originations, and diversified the bank’s loan portfolio.
Currently, Brian Bueche serves as a senior manager of credit risk and portfolio management at BMO Harris Bank in Milwaukee. In addition to processing loans, he manages complex relationships and offers recommendations to other executives regarding problematic credit relationships. He also works closely with the bank’s audit, credit, accounting, and legal departments to ensure compliance with various regulations.
Independently manages large and complex relationships. Drives corporate initiatives through re-structuring loans, enhancing the Bank’s collateral position, identifying alternative repayment plans, and collection of loans in a manner that results in the highest possible recovery of principal and interest within established time frames.
• Mentors team of 35 relationship managers, portfolio managers and analysts to repatriate loans in an accurate and timely manner. • Responsible for portfolio of C&I, CRE, Agriculture and other business purpose loans for offices in Milwaukee WI, Madison WI, Minneapolis MN and Phoenix AZ. • Provides recommendations to Senior Management, Senior Credit Officers, and the Special Assets Division’s Steering Committee regarding alternatives for resolving distressed credit relationships. Updates stakeholders on a timely basis as to current status of relationship. • Collaborates with Bank’s Credit, Audit, Accounting, Loan Review, Real Estate, Compliance and Legal Departments to monitor and report status of problem credits and insure that the Bank complies with Regulatory requirements. • Entrusted with $20 million in lending authority. Notable Contributions: • Resolved over $250 million in distressed credits through repatriation, asset sale and refinance. • Drove Net Increase in Portfolio Metrics to comply with Corporate Directive by increasing portfolio coverage of impaired loans from 65% to over 80%. • Adjudicated over 300 customer relationships during year. • Contracted Watchlist by 48% year over year.
Responsible for adjudicating and monitoring credit-related efforts for $4+Billion National Commercial Real Estate team as well as all credit-related activities for M&I Capital Markets and Fixed Income Group.
• Approved credit requests within assigned lending authority, based upon the risk taking philosophy of the corporation and conveys decisions and actions to appropriate personnel. • Provided coaching and mentoring on risk assessment, credit underwriting, loan structuring and relationship management to Commercial Lenders. Worked with less experienced lenders in developing credit skills and career growth. Involved in one-on-one coaching sessions with Bankers in client selection, client calling, business development, loan underwriting and structuring. • Supported Chief Credit Officer in managing, identifying, and closely monitoring past dues, non-performing assets, portfolio stress testing, credit policy and other portfolio trends.
Developed new and grew existing relationships with middle market commercial and commercial real estate clients in a four county territory. Regarded as a trusted advisor to over 85 clients. Qualified prospects and clients by analyzing credit histories and financial statements. Performed cash flow and collateral analysis for C&I and CRE transactions
Originated C&I Cash Flow and ABL facilities to regional and national Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributers, Service Companies and Retailers. Structured and closed CRE transactions in the following sectors: Multi-Family, Investor Owned, Owner Occupied, Build-to Suit, Residential Land Development, Commercial Land Development, Retail Strip, Big Box Retail, Warehouse and Distribution. Syndication experience. Sponsored Finance/Venture Capital transactions experience.