Commercial Underwriter III

About the role

We do the right things, right now in a way that is relevant to our clients. The Commercial Underwriter III evaluates and underwrites complex commercial relationships, assessing risk, performing financial statement analysis, and ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations. This position requires advanced knowledge of underwriting principles and strong decision-making skills.

Position located in Cincinnati, OH office; however, depending on internal experience, this position could be remote in another FFB office location.

Responsibilities

• Performs financial analysis and risk assessment for the commercial credit portfolio for Specialty Credit including Bannockburn, Asset Based Lending, Structured Finance Lending, ESOP Lending, and Large Corporate Lending. Bannockburn credit requests include foreign exchange, commodity, and interest rate derivative credit requests, including the assessment of private equity funds. Client credit exposure size from $5.0–$100.0 million.
• Reviews and analyzes commercial loan requests to make a general assessment of the client’s creditworthiness.
• Structures proposed loan requests in accordance with Bank’s lending policy.
• Provides feedback to the line of business and respective Bank credit officers regarding the structure, underwriting, and risk assessment.
• Maintains ongoing communication with all parties on the status of request transactions.
• Spreads financial statements utilizing Bank spreading tools for all new clients and for existing client annual reviews. Performs financial spreading, cash flow preparation, and risk rating assessments for all new and existing clients.
• Prepares Credit Memos for new, renewal, and modification requests and client annual reviews for the existing portfolio, including those going before the Senior Credit Committee.
• Attends loan committees when a credit approval request is being presented.
• Finalizes changes to credit approval requests and verifies the approval process in accordance with FFB policy.
• Works directly with Relationship Managers, Business Unit Managers, and Portfolio Managers in respective business lines, including attending local/regional meetings as necessary.
• Leads, in conjunction with credit officers, the preparation of periodic portfolio reports assessing ongoing risk via management of the pipeline report.
• Supports the client annual review process by managing the ongoing existing client annual review pipeline.
• Assists with special projects as needed.
• Provides guidance and training to junior underwriters, helping to develop their skills and knowledge.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration.
• Up to five (5) years of credit underwriting experience.
• Proficiency in mathematical concepts to apply to practical situations.
• Knowledge of advanced accounting principles and techniques, including the ability to spread financial statements.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Handles complex and high-risk accounts, often requiring a deep understanding of intricate business operations and industry-specific risks.
• Operates with a high degree of independence, making strategic and complex underwriting decisions with minimal oversight.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of deskwork.
• Frequent use of computer, keyboard, phone, and office equipment.
• Occasional movement within the office or to other locations within the building.
• Occasionally lifts and carries light objects, typically up to 10–15 pounds.
• Occasionally reaches for items on shelves or in drawers.
• Clear and effective communication in person and over the phone.
• Ability to move within an office environment.

Compliance

The associate is responsible for meeting all compliance requirements imposed on First Financial Bank by State and Federal law and regulation, as well as all related First Financial Bank policies and procedures. This includes all Bank Secrecy Act, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC, and Suspicious Activity reporting requirements, as well as all other lending and deposit compliance requirements.

Benefits

We have relevant, thoughtful benefits and programs that support every aspect of our associates' holistic wellbeing. All roles are incentive eligible with the exception of Co-Op, Intern, or Student positions.