Credit Associate (Primarily Underwriting Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans)

Credit Associate

Location: 4910 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn Ohio

This job reports up through Banking Group Portfolio Management (BGPM). BGPM is responsible for underwriting new loan opportunities and managing a portfolio of loans in the following industry and business segments: Energy, Leveraged Finance, Healthcare, Asset Based Lending, Diversified, Middle Market (including Agribusiness), Business Banking, Private Banking, Small Business and SBA. This particular position will be primarily focused on underwriting SBA guaranteed loans.

The Credit Associate is an individual contributor experienced in, and responsible for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting various types of credit information on existing and prospective customers to determine credit worthiness. While under supervision of Underwriting Team Leaders, the Credit Associate assists in structuring new requests for extensions of credit, as well as completing extensions, renewals and making recommendations for deteriorating credits while independently managing their workflow and communication with field partners. Credit Associates are responsible for assessing the degree of risk within a given business and recommending client credit solutions to maintain the bank's asset quality while ensuring compliance with credit policy and guidelines. Credit Associates are required to make loan decisions within an assigned lending authority and provide educated, well-thought-out recommendations when higher-level approval is needed.

Essential Functions

• Evaluate loan requests to properly identify purpose, risk elements, and collateral adequacy.
• Assess the liquidity, quality of management, market position, industry and overall business climate to estimate future profitability of business.
• Analyze credit data, financial statements (cash flow, balance sheet, income statements), and tax returns (both personal and business) to determine creditworthiness and the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending.
• Apply accounting principles to financial modeling.
• Input, interpret, and assess risk rating model output and client data to develop a credit recommendation.
• Develop the credit write-up to make loan structuring decisions within delegated authority or make recommendations to the appropriate Credit partners/Officers; document and communicate findings providing relative guidance.
• Identify deteriorating credits early and escalate with well thought out/experienced recommendations for restructure.
• Initiate annual reviews.
• Review loan documentation to ensure loan documents match terms and conditions outlined in the credit approval.
• Create and maintain credit files, and develop spreadsheets based on financial statements to facilitate foundational underwriting analysis.
• Responsible for client setup, client data tracking, document tracking, reports, testing borrowing base certificates and covenant compliance, trends, and dashboards.
• Provide financial analysis and portfolio administration to ensure timely and accurate risk ratings.
• Prepare loan packages and monitor and maintain loan portfolios.
• Serve as a mentor, coach, and trainer for Credit Analysts.
• Collaborate with bankers and credit partners to drive the efficiency and effectiveness of the credit process to meet client expectations.
• Participate in periodic projects related to changes in risk management processes, policies or environment and/or underwriting process improvement/optimization.
• Performs other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities and/or activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice
• Complies with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including without limitation, acting professionally at all times, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key's clients and Key.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in finance, accounting, economics and/or business (required)

Work Experience

• Minimum 2 years of commercial/specialty client segment underwriting, credit, banking and/or financial services experience (required)
• Competent with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and effectively utilize other technology applications (required)
• Understanding of financial models (required)
• Ability to gather relevant research, analyze data, and synthesize large amounts of information to accurately assess commercial creditworthiness and create a detailed and thorough underwriting package (required)
• Demonstrated understanding of commercial credit underwriting/approval methodologies, credit policies and procedures (required)
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to collaboratively make an impact (required)
• Ability to plan, multi-task, manage time effectively, and work, often independently, with limited supervision of senior team members (required)

Skills

• Able to gather or pull together relevant information and utilize it to draw insights, conclusions, solution problems, make decisions and/or tell a story. Requires one to make sense of the data and display logical, connected thinking. (experienced level)
• Demonstrates an understanding of foundational accounting principles and can interpret and analyze financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements) to assess a company's financial health and ability to meet its obligations. Able to effectively utilize various tools and techniques, including financial ratios, to evaluate a borrower's financial strength and assess risk. (experienced level)
• Able to effectively identify, assess, and control potential risks involved with corporate lending. Able to effectively interpret and negotiate credit agreements and loan documentation. Understanding how specific loan terms and conditions can be employed to mitigate risk of loss. (experienced level)
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, set clear objectives, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, maximize productivity, and minimize stress. Able to successfully identify which tasks are urgent (requiring immediate attention) and which are important (contributing to long-term goals). Able to effectively multitask and balance competing priorities. Habitually working with energy and commitment; industrious. (experienced level)
• Able to clearly, concisely, and persuasively convey information, whether verbal, written, or nonverbal. Able to effectively synthesize large amounts of complex information into a more consumable summary. Consistently demonstrates a focus on keeping clients, partners, and teammates informed as to the real-time status of important matters. (experienced level)
• Effectively working with others to reach a shared goal. Consistently displaying a willingness to shoulder a fair share of the workload in addition to helping others meet their objectives. (experienced level)
• Consistently taking ownership of one's actions, decisions, and performance, and being responsible for achieving the agreed-upon outcomes. Being reliable, dependable, and fulfilling commitments. Able to be relied upon as honest and truthful. (experienced level)
• Able to identify, evaluate, and interpret information, and question assumptions to reach well-supported, evidence-based conclusions. Open-minded and eager to seize opportunities to learn, grow, acquire knowledge, and expand skill set. (experienced level)
• Able to carefully evaluate the impact of all emerging and/or existing considerations and choose the best path forward using informed, rational, and effective decision-making techniques in various lending and business situations. (working knowledge level)

Core Competencies

• All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key's Values and abide by Key's Code of Conduct.

Physical Demands

• General Office - Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face to face in person or on the phone with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, occasional lifting/pushing/pulling of backpacks, computer bags up to 10 lbs.

Travel

• Occasional travel to include overnight stay.

Work Location Category

• Hybrid (3+ days)- if located near KeyBank locations. Primary preferred location is Brooklyn, OH. Additional preferred location is Amherst, NY.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position is eligible to earn a base salary in the range of $63,000.00 - $96,000.00 annually. Placement within the pay range may differ based upon various factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and geographic location. Compensation for this role also includes eligibility for incentive compensation which may include production, commission, and/or discretionary incentives.

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 07/17/2026

KeyCorp is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to sustaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,