Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter

Position Summary

The Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter is responsible for the independent underwriting, structuring, analysis, and recommendation of complex government guaranteed commercial loan requests in accordance with SBA SOP requirements, USDA guidelines, bank credit policy, and prudent commercial lending practices. This position plays a critical role in maintaining credit quality, regulatory compliance, portfolio performance, and operational efficiency within a high-performing Government Guaranteed Lending (“GGL”) platform.

Credit Underwriting & Analysis

• Independently underwrite complex SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, and related government guaranteed loan requests.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, tax returns, projections, global cash flow, debt service capacity, collateral coverage, liquidity, guarantor support, and repayment ability.
• Assess business risk, industry trends, management strength, succession considerations, and operational viability.
• Structure transactions in accordance with SBA SOP, USDA program requirements, bank credit policy, and safe and sound banking practices.
• Perform detailed collateral analysis including real estate, business assets, special purpose collateral, and construction lending scenarios.
• Evaluate equity injection requirements, source and seasoning of funds, and eligibility of contributed assets.
• Analyze franchise eligibility, affiliation, size standards, ownership structures, and organizational documentation.
• Review environmental, appraisal, insurance, and legal requirements associated with government guaranteed lending.
• Prepare comprehensive written credit memorandums and recommendation packages for approval authorities and loan committees.
• Present and defend loan recommendations to senior management and credit committees when necessary.

Government Guaranteed Program Compliance

• Maintain expert-level knowledge of current SBA SOPs, USDA regulations, policy notices, procedural updates, and program changes.
• Absolutely ensure all loans meet SBA and USDA eligibility, underwriting, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Aid in maintaining the bank’s Preferred Lender Program (“PLP”) standards and USDA lending authority requirements.
• Identify and mitigate potential guaranty repair or denial risks during underwriting.
• Work closely with internal audit, quality control, compliance, and loan operations teams to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
• Aid in responses to SBA, USDA, internal audit, and regulatory examination findings as needed.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to junior underwriters, analysts, lenders, and support staff.
• Promote consistency in underwriting standards and credit culture across the organization.
• Partner closely with business development officers, closers, portfolio managers, and loan operations staff to ensure efficient loan flow and exceptional customer experience.
• Aid in developing underwriting procedures, templates, workflows, and departmental best practices.
• Participate in training initiatives related to SBA and USDA lending programs.