Credit Underwriter – Law Firms and Professional Services

Provides a superior level of customer service and portfolio management in lending services for all existing and potential clients and in support of a team of specialists and relationship managers. Provides technical expertise for proactive credit analysis, structuring, decisions, and portfolio monitoring. Applies lending expertise to a lending and deposit portfolio of accounts or part of the lending process (e.g. underwriting, funding, monitoring).

• Identifies cross-selling opportunities to increase client penetration for banking, investments and deposits.
• Prepares new business proposals or presentations to clients/prospects.
• Participates in activities for client meetings and account opening documentation.
• Assists with the development of client communications as required.
• Identifies and recommends workflow process alternatives that can lead to improved efficiency and service levels.
• Ensures timely resolution of all client questions and concerns, both internal and external.
• Performs client sales & service support activities as required to meet client needs and maintain overall service standards.
• Determines client needs and ensures timely and accurate completion of transaction processing.
• Provides after sales support and handles exceptions tactfully, accurately and efficiently in accordance with Bank policy.
• Reviews and provides feedback and best practices about client solutions and credit structure.
• Maintains detailed knowledge and understanding of the integrated private banking services and offerings and lending procedures.
• Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in order to deliver on business objectives.
• Completes comprehensive analysis for risk, financial and profitability rating and assessments.
• Breaks down strategic problems, and analyses data and information to provide insights and recommendations.
• Monitors and tracks performance, and addresses any issuesli>
• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
• Implements and monitors procedural and policy changes as required.
• Manages operational audits and controls for banking and account administration.
• Manages day to day portfolio administration activities through the completion of a wide variety of credit, non-credit, and related activities.
• Monitors the timely and accurate setup & maintenance of accounts, including account setups, collateralization, and documentation.
• Provides input into the planning and implementation of operational programs.
• Executes set-up, maintenance, and advancement of lending products and related account administration as per guidelines.
• May specialize as either a funding specialist or a credit underwriting specialist.
• As a funding specialist, facilitates the funding process acting as a final and independent control point for legal documentation and ensures that the security/legal documentation reflects what was approved; all terms and conditions noted in the credit application have been met; proper execution/perfection of all documents prior to funding/releasing funds; assesses significance of any security or conditions shortfalls, credit and fraud risks.
• As a credit underwriter, focuses on underwriting and making recommendations loan applications; interacting directly with Clients, Prospects, Bankers and Risk Management to provide expertise regarding the adjudication of applications.
• Mitigates identified risks and makes credit recommendations/decisions in accordance with sound credit-granting principles and compliance with the Bank’s philosophy and principles outlined in corporate risk policy and supporting policies and procedures.
• Identifies and escalates irregularities and discrepancies to management as per guidelines.
• Participates in assigned audits and compliance reviews.
• Ensures proper adherence to the code of conduct and ethical guidelines.
• Follows security and safeguarding procedures and applies appropriate due diligence for the prevention of loss due to fraud, counterfeiting money laundering or defalcation in accordance with Bank policy.
• Protects the Bank’s assets by adhering to all banking, investment and lending regulations, policies, and procedures, legal and ethical requirements, process requirements, bank guidelines, and established risk guidelines.
• Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus.
• Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.
• Works independently on a range of complex tasks, which may include unique situations.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

• Typically between 4 - 6 years of relevant experience and post-secondary degree in related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Commercial Loan and Underwriting experience in a financial services environment.
• In-depth knowledge of personal (primarily) and commercial credit and non-credit products,…