Commercial Credit Underwriting Manager

Overview Bank Newport celebrates being a community bank since 1819, offering new and exciting career opportunities. We are committed to providing employees the resources and guidance to develop challenging and rewarding careers. Under the direction of the SVP Chief Credit Risk Officer, the Commercial Credit Underwriting Manager oversees day‑to‑day operations of the Commercial Credit Underwriting team. The Manager supervises credit analysts who analyze financial and credit information of prospective commercial new money loan requests, material loan modifications, renewals, and annual relationship reviews.

Credit approval memorandums prepared by the analysts are reviewed for accuracy and compliance before release to approvers. The Manager ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and Bank Newport policies, and works collaboratively with the Credit Administration team. This is a hybrid position with occasional travel to other Rhode Island locations for training and meetings.

• Assign loans to credit analysts and manage the daily workflow of the commercial credit underwriting pipeline, meeting deadlines and ensuring high‑quality analysis results.
• Review and analyze commercial credit approval memorandums for accuracy, applying a solid understanding of commercial lending and underwriting principles.
• Assign risk ratings as appropriate.
• Identify loan policy exceptions and any red flags during the underwriting process.
• Underwrite complex commercial loan requests as needed.
• Serve as a resource for credit policy and procedure interpretation for commercial lending officers and business bankers.
• Partner with direct reports, providing training and coaching as needed.
• Collaborate with commercial loan officers and business bankers on loan requests, assisting in structuring, terms, conditions, and resolving information needs.
• Ensure adherence to state and federal banking regulations, Bank policies, and procedures; advise management of compliance issues proactively.
• Establish, promote, and practice strong collaboration efforts within the department and with various lending business lines, customers, and other employees to enhance loan portfolio quality.
• Host weekly pipeline call with the commercial lending team.
• Recommend improvements to Bank policies and procedures, ensuring changes meet regulatory guidelines and are implemented successfully.
• Maintain proficiency in Microsoft Office programs; familiarity with nCino or other loan platform software is helpful.
• Maintain a growth mindset by offering innovative solutions for deploying team resources and technology.
• Perform other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

Performs related and unrelated duties as may be required.

Extensive commercial credit experience. Bachelor’s degree in a related field or relevant work experience with 7 to 10 years of credit underwriting and credit and portfolio management experience in banking. Must have managerial or team‑lead experience. Formal Commercial Credit training preferred. Excellent analytical, managerial, planning, organizational, written and oral communication, decision‑making, and technological skills, including experience using Microsoft Office programs and nCino.

• Travel independently to the position’s primary work location, other bank properties, and work‑related activities or events at locations outside the Bank.
• Effectively communicate and exchange accurate information and ideas.
• Operate a computer and other office machinery independently.
• Sit or stand at a workspace and use a computer or other equipment for prolonged periods of time.
• Meet hybrid work schedule requirements for physically working in the office during normal business hours on Mondays and Wednesdays and another day of choice.
• Move office items weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Work in an environment with low to moderate noise levels.

• Deadlines
• Structure loans with loan officers
• Regulations
• Training and coaching
• 5 direct reports

Establishes short‑range plans and objectives within the scope of bankwide policies and goals. Consults with manager regarding policy interpretations or exceptions.

• We celebrate individuality
• We empower employees to be creative problem solvers
• We invest and take the time to really get to know our customers
• We commit to serving the financial needs of Rhode Islanders

Bank Newport is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, military service, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.