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Commercial Lending Associate

Location:

Charlotte, NC OR Nashville, TN

Salary: $150k-$220k/yr

We are a fast growing AM firm looking to bring in and mentor talented associates to grow with us and ideally become partners. We have openings in both our Charlotte, NC and Nashville, TN office. Position Overview The Commercial Lending Associate will support origination, underwriting, and portfolio management of commercial loan transactions, including real estate and commercial & industrial (C&I) loans.

This role partners with relationship managers and credit teams to analyze financials, structure transactions, manage due diligence, and guide loans from initial inquiry through closing while ensuring adherence to credit policy and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in commercial lending, transaction execution, and strong analytical and client-facing skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support origination and execution of commercial loan transactions, including real estate and C&I loans, by preparing credit analyses and deal proposals.
• Underwrite new loans and renewals by analyzing financial statements, cash flow projections, collateral valuations, and borrower creditworthiness.
• Prepare comprehensive credit memos, risk-rating assessments, and loan documentation for credit committee review.
• Develop and maintain detailed financial models and transaction structures to evaluate risk-return profiles.
• Coordinate due diligence activities (appraisals, environmental, legal, title) and work with internal partners and external counsel to resolve issues to closing.
• Manage loan pipeline and transaction timelines, ensuring timely communication with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor loan portfolio performance, track covenant compliance, and assist with workout or restructuring efforts when necessary.
• Support relationship-building and business development activities by preparing client presentations, pitch materials, and market research.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and documentation standards.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve processes and efficiencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field; MBA or relevant graduate degree preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in commercial lending with direct exposure to real estate and C&I lending and transaction execution.
• Strong credit underwriting skills and experience preparing credit memos and presenting to credit committees.
• Proficiency in financial statement analysis, cash flow modeling, and property/asset valuation methodologies.
• Experience structuring loan facilities, covenants, and security packages for commercial and real estate transactions.
• Excellent Excel skills and proficiency with financial modeling tools; experience with loan origination systems a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex analyses to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple transactions and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and documentation standards relevant to commercial lending.
• Professional certifications (CCM, CFA) or industry credentials and existing borrower network in commercial real estate or C&I lending are a plus.

For this position you must be currently authorized to work in the United States. We do not sponsor for this position.