VP, SBL Senior Loan Underwriter

VP, SBL Senior Loan Underwriter

Under minimal supervision, the VP, SBL Senior Loan Underwriter is responsible for underwriting small business loans, particularly SBA-guaranteed loan products (e.g. 504, 7(a), etc.). This role acts as a subject matter expert in SBA policy, assists in credit structuring and ensures adherence to internal credit policies and SBA regulations. The incumbent will analyze commercial and personal credit information from borrowers and guarantors to determine risk involved in lending money to new and existing small business and commercial real estate clients.

Verifies and compiles application information for SBA loans by performing the following duties. Position requires teamwork and personal interaction. This position requires that the individual work in office, independently, and with minimal supervision.

Ensures compliance within all Bank policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal banking regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review loan application files to verify that application data is complete and meets established standards, including type and amount of loan, borrower assets and liabilities
• Underwrite and evaluate small business loan requests (primarily SBA 504 and 7(a)) from origination through closing, including initial credit approval, conditions and post-closing oversight
• Prepare credit memorandums and detailed credit analysis for inclusion in Bank credit authorization
• Analyze financial statements, tax returns (both business and personal), projections, cash flow, debt service coverage, leverage, liquidity, and collateral
• Assess business models, industry risks, market position, and management strength
• Review and interpret appraisal, environmental, valuation, title, and third-party reports
• Ensure compliance with all applicable SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), program rules, and lender/SBA documentation requirements
• Perform and document risk assessment on loan requests. Verifies accuracy of information provided
• Work directly with Lenders and borrowers to discuss issues, ask questions and make financial and covenant recommendations as necessary
• Review and analyze appraisal assumptions and methodologies; incorporate appraisal information into Bank credit authorization. Evaluates and verifies all collateral on all secured loans and prepares reports of findings
• Manage underwriting pipeline, monitor loan maturities, track progress, and provide status reports
• Monitor portfolio performance, early warning indicators, and assist in workout or restructuring of distressed credits
• Track financial ticklers, timely requests of updated financial information and covenant testing
• Assist in debenture payoffs, including coordination of required documentation submissions, confirmation of payoff calculations, and communication with CDCs, SBA and closing agents
• Works closely with all parties to assist in timely processing, credit approval, and closing of new loan requests
• Work closely with Loan Operations Department to ensure SBL procedures are followed in the closing and funding of the loans
• May be required to provide secondary support for various servicing and liquidation activities such as: prepares documentation required to liquidate loans including default letters, requests to file Notices of Default and coordinates guaranty repurchase with SBA. Manages service action requests within parameters established by the SBA loan policy
• Minimum of 10 hours CRA volunteer hours per year. Volunteer hours are typically scheduled within business hours. This is compensable time and mileage is reimbursed
• Other duties as assigned

Construction Lending:

• Perform all aspects of General Contractor analysis and qualification for SBL loan activity
• Create and maintain budget spreadsheets
• Coordinate and monitor construction inspections with third party inspector
• Provide customer service for clients, inspectors, project managers, and Loan Administration staff
• Coordinate draw funding with Loan Operations staff

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities at this time but may be required to provide mentoring support and/or direct supervision for Credit Analyst positions within the SBL Department.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or related field
• Requires a minimum of 7 years of direct small business underwriting, with at least 3- years specifically underwriting SBA 504 and 7(a) loans
• Deep working knowledge of SBA regulations, SOPs, and program requirements for 504 and 7(a) loans
• Strong math skills and credit analysis capabilities – financial modeling, ratio analysis, stress testing, sensitivity analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and well thought credit memos
• Requires computer experience and proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets and database management
• Familiarity with loan originating system (preferably Baker Hill)
• Attention to detail, organizational skills,…