Senior Credit Underwriter

Position Summary

The Senior Credit Underwriter is responsible for independent analysis, underwriting, structuring, and recommendation of commercial credit requests. This position evaluates the creditworthiness of businesses and guarantors, assesses financial and industry risks, and provides sound credit recommendations that align with the Bank's lending policies, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements. The Senior Credit Underwriter serves as a trusted advisor to Commercial Relationship Managers and may provide guidance and mentorship to junior credit analysts and underwriters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyze and underwrite commercial loan requests, including commercial real estate (CRE), owner-occupied real estate, construction, Commercial and Industrial (C&I), Asset based and receivable lending as well as relationship lending.

• Review and interpret business and personal financial statements, tax returns, cash flow analyses, collateral valuations, and other supporting documentation.

• Assess borrower repayment capacity, leverage, liquidity, management strength, and overall credit risk.

• Prepare comprehensive credit memorandums and loan presentations that clearly identify strengths, weaknesses, mitigating factors, and recommendations.

• Structure loan transactions with appropriate terms, covenants, collateral, and pricing based on risk assessments.

• Ensure all credit requests comply with established lending policies, regulatory requirements, and sound banking practices.

• Anticipate and resolve potential friction points in underwriting, addressing issues proactively to ensure smooth committee approvals.

• Work closely with Commercial Relationship Managers to gather information and structure viable financing solutions for customers.

• Perform annual reviews, renewals, modifications, and periodic risk assessments for existing loan relationships.

• Monitor portfolio quality and identify emerging risks or adverse trends within borrower relationships.

• Provide recommendations for risk rating assignments and credit grading changes.

• Participate in loan committee meetings and present credit requests when required.

• Assist in the development and maintenance of underwriting standards, policies, and procedures.

• Support internal and external loan reviews, audits, and regulatory examinations.

• Mentor and train Credit Analysts and junior underwriters to enhance credit administration capabilities.

• Stay informed regarding economic trends, industry developments, and regulatory changes affecting commercial lending.

• Uphold a high-touch internal client experience through proactive updates, transparent expectation setting, and on-time execution of underwriting deliverables.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.

• Formal banking or commercial credit training preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of commercial lending and credit underwriting experience within a bank or financial institution.

• Demonstrated experience underwriting commercial real estate, commercial and industrial (C&I), owner-occupied real estate, and complex commercial credit relationships.

• Experience preparing detailed cash flow analyses, risk assessments, and credit presentations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of commercial lending principles and credit risk management.

• Advanced financial statement analysis and cash flow underwriting skills.

• Ability to analyze complex business structures and borrowing relationships.

• Thorough understanding of loan documentation, collateral analysis, and covenant structures.

• Knowledge of banking regulations and regulatory guidance affecting commercial lending.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Exceptional organizational and analytical abilities.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent credit decisions.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and commercial loan software systems.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and through written correspondence.

• Occasional travel may be required for customer meetings, training, or bank events.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain high-quality credit analysis and underwriting standards.

• Deliver timely loan decisions and credit recommendations.

• Ensure compliance with bank policies and regulatory requirements.

• Contribute to portfolio quality and overall credit risk management objectives.

• Support relationship growth while maintaining prudent underwriting standards.