Underwriter-Business Banking

About the role

The Business Banking Underwriter serves as a critical control within the bank's credit risk management framework and is responsible for the independent risk assessment of Business Banking loan requests submitted through the Bank's retail channel(s).

Responsibilities

• Fulfills the underwriting process for Business Banking loan requests including new loans, renewals, extensions, and modifications.
• Provides objective evaluation of creditworthiness, preparing comprehensive credit memoranda that identifies risk factors and exceptions to credit policy, and makes credit decisions within their authority.
• Collaborates with Business Banking Officers, Branch Managers, and Regional Credit Officers to provide well-supported recommendations to arrive at credit decisions.
• Participates in training to increase proficiency as part of professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrates foundational to well-developed knowledge (depending on level and experience) in the following areas:
• Commercial loan structures, including term loans, lines of credit, and related collateral arrangements
• Core underwriting principles and independent credit risk assessment methodologies
• Bank credit policy and credit procedures, with the ability to apply policy consistently and escalate exceptions appropriately
• Basic financial analysis, including review and interpretation of financial statements, cash flow, repayment capacity, and trends
• Credit scoring methodologies and risk-rating frameworks
• Fundamental accounting principles relevant to commercial lending
• SBA lending programs and eligibility requirements (as applicable to assigned portfolio)
• Business banking product knowledge to support appropriate credit recommendations
• Regulatory expectations impacting commercial underwriting, documentation, and credit administration
• Sound problem-solving ability when addressing complex or non-standard credit situations
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills to evaluate borrower risk and loan structure appropriateness
• Sound judgment in credit recommendations and escalation decisions

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently in a deadline-driven environment
• Capability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with relationship managers, credit partners, and leadership
• Use of efficient work methods to manage underwriting requests, documentation, and reviews
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills to evaluate borrower risk and loan structure appropriateness
• Strong problem-solving ability when addressing complex or non-standard credit situations
• Clear and concise written communication, including credit memoranda and supporting analysis
• Effective verbal communication with internal partners and stakeholders
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills to meet established service levels
• Professional interpersonal skills supporting partnership and constructive challenge
• Ability to identify, assess, and escalate credit risk factors
• Ability to recommend appropriate risk mitigants aligned with policy and regulatory guidance

Skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently in a deadline-driven environment
• Capability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with relationship managers, credit partners, and leadership
• Use of efficient work methods to manage underwriting requests, documentation, and reviews
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills to evaluate borrower risk and loan structure appropriateness
• Strong problem-solving ability when addressing complex or non-standard credit situations
• Clear and concise written communication, including credit memoranda and supporting analysis
• Effective verbal communication with internal partners and stakeholders
• Strong organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills to meet established service levels
• Professional interpersonal skills supporting partnership and constructive challenge
• Ability to identify, assess, and escalate credit risk factors
• Ability to recommend appropriate risk mitigants aligned with policy and regulatory guidance

Benefits

First Bank is committed to providing competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain talented employees. Compensation decisions depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each hiring instance and may vary based on the geographic location of the anticipated hiring location. A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is $53,000 - $65,000.

Pay

A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is $53,000 - $65,000.

Schedule

First Bank offers a hybrid work environment which allows employees to work at least three full days in the office with more or all in-office days expected of our client facing teams and the groups that support them in the business.