SBA Sr Underwriter
Position Summary:
The SBA Sr. Underwriter is a senior-level credit professional responsible for independently underwriting, structuring, and risk-assessing complex SBA and USDA loan transactions. This role ensures credit decisions align with the Company’s credit risk management strategy, internal credit policy, and SBA/USDA regulatory requirements.
The Sr. Underwriter exercises advanced credit judgment and serves as a key partner to lending teams, influencing deal structure and credit outcomes. This role also functions as a resource to junior underwriters, providing guidance, mentorship, and quality review to support consistency and elevate underwriting standards across the team.
The ideal candidate demonstrates deep expertise in Government Guaranteed Lending, strong analytical and structuring capabilities, and the ability to manage complex credit relationships and risk scenarios.
Job Functions:
- Independently underwrite and structure complex SBA 7(a), 504, Express, and USDA loan transactions, including multi-entity borrowers and global cash flow analysis.
- Lead the credit structuring strategy, balancing risk mitigation with business objectives.
- Analyze borrower financial statements, projections, and global cash flow to assess repayment capacity and overall risk profile.
- Evaluate collateral adequacy, guarantor strength, and structural enhancements for complex or higher-risk transactions.
- Prepare and present comprehensive credit memoranda, and defend recommendations to senior credit leadership or loan committees.
- Serve as a primary credit partner to Business Development Officers, advising on deal structure, credit viability, and risk considerations.
- Collaborate with Business Development Officers, Closing, and Servicing teams to resolve credit issues and structure appropriate lending solutions.
- Exercise independent credit judgment, including identifying and addressing nuanced or emerging risks.
- Review and provide feedback on credit analyses and write-ups prepared by junior underwriters to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency.
- Mentor and support less experienced underwriting staff, contributing to team development and knowledge transfer.
- Resolve complex or ambiguous credit issues, including policy exceptions and elevated risk scenarios.
- Identify opportunities to improve underwriting processes, templates, and credit standards.
- Maintain deep expertise in SBA/USDA program requirements and serve as a subject matter expert within the organization.
- Must complete all required training, including Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-money Laundering training, suitable to his or her position within the bank.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related field required.
- 5+ years of progressive commercial underwriting experience, with a strong focus on SBA and USDA government guaranteed lending.
- Demonstrated ability to independently underwrite complex credit transactions, including multi-entity structures and global cash flow.
- Proven experience structuring loans with layered risk considerations (collateral, guarantors, projections).
- Experience presenting or defending credit recommendations to loan committees or senior credit officers.
- Prior experience mentoring or reviewing junior analysts/underwriters preferred. Advanced credit training or professional certification (e.g., CRC) str
Skills & Competencies:
- Advanced expertise in financial statement analysis, global cash flow, and projections
- Strong credit judgment with the ability to assess and mitigate complex risk scenarios
- Deep knowledge of SBA 7(a), 504, and USDA guidelines, including regulatory requirements
- Ability to structure and negotiate complex credit solutions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive credit writing
- Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence credit and lending decisions
- Leadership skills, including mentoring and informal team leadership
- Ability to manage multiple complex priorities with a high degree of accuracy and accountability
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and adaptability
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and loan origination systems (e.g., nCino, LaserPro)
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
Work Arrangement:
- This position is remote.
- Occasional travel may be required for in-person training or meetings.
EEO Statement
We are an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, or any other protected category.
All offers of employment shall be subject to successful completion of all pre-employment screenings, verifications, and processes. Failure to comply with these processes or failure to successfully pass all phases of the pre-employment screening will result in a withdrawal of the employment offer.
Other Duties:
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
Compensation is based on geographic location and individual pay decisions will vary based on demonstrated job related skills, knowledge, experience, education, certifications, etc.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Short- and Long-term disability
- Company-paid holidays
For Advertising Purposes Only: #LI-DNI