Senior Loan Underwriter

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Peoria, AZ (on-site/hybrid) — Remote also considered in OR, WA, TX and UT

Department: Credit / Underwriting

Reports To: VP of Credit / Chief Credit Officer

Position Summary

AVANA Companies is seeking an experienced Senior Loan Underwriter to evaluate, structure, and recommend commercial real estate and small business loans for approval. This role requires strong financial analysis skills, sound credit judgment, and the ability to manage a pipeline of complex deals from application through closing. The ideal candidate has deep experience underwriting CRE and/or SBA/USDA loans and is comfortable working cross-functionally with sales, credit committee, and closing teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive credit analysis of borrowers, guarantors, and collateral for commercial real estate and small business loan requests
• Analyze financial statements, tax returns, cash flow projections, and global debt service coverage to assess repayment ability
• Evaluate loan-to-value (LTV), debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), debt yield, and other key credit metrics against AVANA's credit box and applicable program guidelines (SBA, USDA, conventional)
• Structure loan terms and conditions that appropriately balance risk and return, recommending mitigants where needed

• Prepare clear, well-supported credit memos and present recommendations to credit committee

• Order, review, and interpret appraisals, environmental reports, title reports, and other due diligence documentation

• Ensure loans are underwritten in compliance with internal policy, investor requirements, and relevant regulatory guidelines (e.g., SBA SOPs, USDA guidelines)

• Collaborate with loan officers/originators to structure deals during the pre-application stage and clarify conditions during underwriting

• Partner with closing, legal, and servicing teams to ensure a smooth handoff from approval to closing

• Identify and escalate credit risks, policy exceptions, and red flags throughout the underwriting process

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior underwriters and analysts

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CRE market conditions, industry trends, and changes to SBA/USDA program requirements

• Manage a pipeline of active files, meeting turn-time expectations and service-level standards

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 5+ years of commercial real estate and/or small business loan underwriting experience

• Strong working knowledge of SBA 7(a)/504 and/or USDA B&I loan programs or conventional CRE loan products strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial statements, tax returns, and cash flow projections

• Solid understanding of commercial real estate valuation, market analysis, and collateral risk assessment

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including credit memo writing and committee presentation

• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple files simultaneously

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and loan origination/underwriting software

Preferred:

• Formal credit training (bank-sponsored credit training program or equivalent)

• Experience with construction, bridge, or owner-occupied CRE lending

• Strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills, familiarity with Acumatica ERP and HubSpot CRM, and demonstrated experience applying AI tools to streamline analysis, documentation, or workflow tasks.

• Prior experience mentoring or leading junior underwriting staff.

Remote Work

This role may be performed remotely in OR, WA, TX and UT. This is a preference, not a hard requirement, and candidates in other states may still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Remote employees are expected to maintain reliable high-speed internet, a dedicated workspace, and availability during core business hours (Arizona time). Occasional travel to the Peoria, AZ office may be required for team meetings, training, or credit committee sessions.

Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.

Benefits: Employees in this role are eligible for:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Additional benefits as outlined in AVANA's employee benefits guide, provided upon hire

About AVANA Companies

AVANA Companies is a diversified financial services organization specializing in commercial real estate and small business lending, including SBA, USDA, and conventional CRE loan products. We help business owners and developers access the capital they need to grow, combining rigorous credit discipline with a client-focused, high-touch lending experience.