Business Finance Specialist

Executive Director at Superior California Economic Development

Position: Business Finance Specialist

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Executive Director

Salary Range: $30 - $35/hour

Make a difference in your community through economic development lending. Superior California Economic Development (SCED) provides access to capital to help business owners expand operations and hire additional employees. This position supports SCED’s Strategic Plan by advancing capital access, portfolio performance, and regional economic impact through lending, outreach, and loan portfolio management. The position requires professional judgment to analyze credit, recommend loan structures, and identify risks, while operating within SCED’s established policies, SBA regulations, and supervisory review.

The Business Finance Specialist, under the supervision of the Executive Director, is responsible for marketing and underwriting Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans throughout California and SCED direct loans in our Northern California service area, preparation and review of loan applications and packages, credit analysis, loan documentation, collections, and loan program reporting.

• Market SCED loan programs through regular in-person outreach, including scheduling and conducting meetings and presentations with lending partners, referral sources, and community organizations, along with maintaining an active presence on SCED social media platforms and newsletters.
• Proactively develop and maintain strong working relationships with lenders, referral partners, chambers of commerce, and community organizations to generate a consistent loan pipeline and advance SCED’s regional economic development goals.
• Identify and communicate potential new sources of loan capital, grants, and financing partnerships consistent with SCED’s lending programs; support the Executive Director and senior staff by gathering market intelligence, funding requirements, and program information related to new or expanded loan funds.
• Conduct off-site marketing visits throughout our service territory, travel regularly for work, including driving to meet with lenders, partners, and borrowers.
• Represent SCED in a professional manner at all times, including maintaining an appearance appropriate for meetings with lending partners and borrowers and being prepared for unannounced or short-notice visits, subject to reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Act as a representative of SCED whose conduct, communication, and decision-making uphold the organization’s credibility, compliance obligations, and reputation with borrowers, lenders, partners, regulators, and the public.
• Enter financial statements, tax returns, and related information into appropriate software programs for commercial loan analysis and evaluation against minimum loan criteria, including spreading financial statements, calculating ratios, and developing financial projections.
• Clearly communicate underwriting analysis, assumptions, and repayment ability in both written and verbal form to internal staff, loan committee members, lending partners, and other stakeholders.
• Organize and maintain complete loan files, including project cost documentation, tax returns, personal financial statements, management history statements, credit bureau reports, and real estate appraisal and environmental reports.
• Review loan documentation for completeness, accuracy, and consistency with program requirements prior to submission and closing.
• Keep abreast of all company policies, procedures, and reporting requirements related to SCED's loan programs. Maintain knowledge of current Small Business Administration and Revolving Loan Fund rules and regulations.
• Develop, maintain, and follow up on borrower needs list.
• Coordinate with and order reports from appraisers, environmental professionals, and title and escrow officers.
• Maintain accurate commercial loans tickler system and manage necessary follow-up.
• Present loan requests to SCED's loan committee.
• Prepare and submit SBA 504 loan applications through SBA’s…