SVP, Underwriter, VBG

About the Company

Banc of California, Inc. (NYSE: BANC) is a bank holding company with over $34 billion in assets and the parent company of Banc of California. As one of the nation’s premier relationship-based business banks, it provides banking and treasury management services to small, middle-market, and venture-backed businesses. The bank offers a broad range of loan and deposit products through a network of full-service branches, regional offices, and digital capabilities. It also provides full-service payment processing solutions and serves the Community Association Management industry nationwide through its SmartStreet™ platform. Banc of California is committed to supporting local communities through the Banc of California Charitable Foundation and partnerships promoting financial literacy, job training, small business support, and affordable housing.

The company fosters an environment where entrepreneurial thinking is encouraged, accountability and operational excellence are expected, and team members are empowered to take ownership and make informed decisions.

About the Role

The SVP, Underwriter, Life Sciences will be a key contributor to the Venture Banking originations team, providing financial, credit, and trend analysis for venture lending opportunities to early-stage private and public companies in the healthcare and life sciences industry. Coverage includes biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare services, specialty pharmaceuticals, and digital health. The role supports the Life Sciences lending team with expertise in structuring, analysis, and documentation for credit actions, establishing repayment viability, and preparing credit approval memos.

Responsibilities

• Independently lead the underwriting of Life Sciences credit opportunities in accordance with regulations, procedures, credit standards, and guidelines.
• Interact directly with customers to gather information, assess credit risks, and determine mitigants throughout the approval process.
• Review financial statements, communicate with customers or prospects, and perform analysis to recommend credit ratings, covenants, and appropriate loan structuring.
• Ensure all involved parties are updated on underwriting progress and outcomes.
• Source, compile, and interpret financial data to support loan structuring and approval.
• Review industry information, key risks, mitigants, and collateral to form a comprehensive business overview of the borrower.
• Underwrite complex loans using analysis results.
• Develop comprehensive financial models, including multi-year projections of income statements, balance sheets, and cash flows, and perform sensitivity, downside, and break-even analyses.
• Partner with company CFOs and VCs to refine projections and evaluate key assumptions for underwriting models.
• Analyze complex corporate structures and recommend optimal loan and collateral structures to mitigate risk and align with the Bank’s credit appetite.
• Play a lead role in structuring transactions and drafting key deal terms, including negotiating loan documents with outside counsel or internal legal teams.
• Prepare detailed credit memos articulating proposed transactions, risks, mitigants, and rationale to support credit recommendations.
• Lead underwriting due diligence efforts, including identifying required information, coordinating with internal partners, and evaluating third-party reports (e.g., appraisals, field exams, environmental reports).
• Prepare and review Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and term sheets to ensure alignment with proposed credit structures.
• Collaborate with Relationship Managers on client engagement during the underwriting process, including participating in client calls to assess business models and management teams.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior Underwriters on complex assignments, including reviewing analyses, models, and credit memorandums.
• Ensure all underwriting activities comply with applicable regulations, credit policies, and internal procedures.
• Support transaction execution through closing by partnering with internal teams to ensure underwriting conditions are reflected in final documentation.
• Lead special projects to facilitate Life Sciences lending activities and act in a leadership role for less experienced underwriters.

Requirements

• 10+ years of life sciences banking experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and adherence to state and federal regulations, including Regulation Z (Truth in Lending Act), Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity Act), Fair Housing Act (FHA), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Customer Information Program (CIP), Right to Financial Privacy Act (RFPA), and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
• Strong working knowledge of the Bank’s Loan Policies and Standards.
• Understanding of complex loan documentation and collateral perfection.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and computer terminal operations.
• Exceptional organizational, time management, oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical writing skills.
• Ability to make decisions with moderate impact on the immediate work unit and cross-functional departments.
• Ability to comprehend and explain financial calculations and pricing alternatives.
• Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions, train personnel, write reports, and speak clearly to customers and employees.
• Ability to make informal and formal presentations internally and externally.
• Ability to handle complex problems involving multiple facets and variables in non-standardized situations.
• Ability to work with little to no supervision.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Benefits

• Financial Security: Eligible to participate in a 401k plan with a 100% match on the first 4% of contributions, immediately vested.
• Health & Well-Being: Comprehensive insurance options including medical, dental, vision, AD&D, supplemental life, long-term disability, pre-tax Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions, and pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Building & Supporting Your Family: Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility assistance; paid parental leave; and family support solutions including care options.
• Paid Time Away: Paid vacation days, holidays, and volunteer time off.
• Career Growth Opportunities: Tuition reimbursement, annual mentorship program, leadership development resources, and access to LinkedIn Learning.

Pay

The base salary is determined through a review of education, industry experience, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities, aligned with market data and other factors.