Senior SBA Credit Underwriter
Lenders Cooperative is a fast-paced and growing banking technology solution dedicated to building loan origination systems designed by bankers. We have a career opportunity for a Senior SBA Credit Underwriter, reporting to the SBA Underwriting Manager.
The Senior SBA Credit Underwriter will lead the evaluation, analysis, and underwriting of SBA loan applications to ensure compliance with SBA Program requirements, SBA SOP guidelines, and the lender’s credit policies and procedures. This role is responsible for assessing borrower creditworthiness through detailed analysis of business and personal financial information, tax returns, cash flow, collateral, and overall repayment capacity to support sound lending decisions.
The Senior SBA Credit Underwriter prepares comprehensive SBA credit memorandums with well-supported recommendations for loan approvals, denials, or modifications while identifying and mitigating potential credit risks. The position also collaborates closely with lending, processing, and closing teams, provides guidance to junior underwriters, and contributes to maintaining underwriting quality and operational efficiency. Strong analytical skills, sound credit judgment, attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of SBA lending programs are essential for success in this role.
As a Senior SBA Credit Underwriter, You Will:
- Independently evaluate, analyze, and underwrite SBA loan applications, including complex commercial lending transactions.
- Assist in resolving underwriting conditions and outstanding credit-related matters prior to closing.
- Partner with closing and processing teams to ensure seamless transition of approved loans through closing and funding.
- Participate in departmental initiatives focused on process improvement, operational efficiency, and portfolio quality enhancement.
- Support credit addendums, screen-out responses, policy exceptions, and internal loan committee presentations as needed.
- Collaborate closely with underwriting, processing, closing, and lending teams to improve workflow efficiency and enhance the borrower and lender experience.
- Serve as a senior underwriting resource and mentor to junior underwriters and support staff.
- Maintain thorough and accurate underwriting documentation supporting all credit decisions and recommendations.
- Verify compliance with SBA and federal regulations related to sanctions, debarment, and delinquent federal debt requirements.
- Ensure completion and review of all required federal compliance checks, including CAIVRS, SAM.gov, and OFAC screenings.
- Analyze affiliated business relationships and determine potential impact on borrower repayment ability and financial strength.
- Assess NAICS classifications, franchise affiliations, and industry benchmarks to determine overall business stability and performance expectations.
- Review and evaluate borrower business operations, management experience, ownership structure, industry trends, competitive positioning, and customer concentration.
- Evaluate financial projections and assumptions for reasonableness and conduct break-even and trend analyses.
- Prepare global cash flow analyses and sensitivity analyses for borrowers and affiliated entities to ensure compliance with SBA minimum debt service coverage requirements.
- Analyze debt service coverage, liquidity, leverage, profitability, and repayment capacity to determine credit viability.
- Perform advanced financial statement spreading and analysis, including historical and projected cash flow assessments.
- Interpret and apply SBA policies and procedures to complex credit scenarios and provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
- Review and analyze sources and uses of funds, debt refinance requests, business acquisition structures, partner buyouts, inventory schedules, budgets, and purchase agreements.
- Advise lenders and referral partners on SBA program requirements, loan structure, repayment terms, collateral considerations, and pricing parameters.
- Ensure all loan requests comply with SBA SOP 50 10 requirements, SBA eligibility standards, and internal credit policy guidelines.
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion in evaluating matters of significance impacting loan quality and organizational risk.
- Identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks associated with each transaction and provide sound credit recommendations.
- Assess borrower and guarantor creditworthiness through detailed analysis of business and personal financial statements, tax returns, credit reports, and related documentation.
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in commercial lending, SBA underwriting, or credit analysis, including experience with complex SBA 7(a) loan transactions
- Advanced knowledge of SBA lending programs, SOP 50 10 guidelines, and SBA eligibility requirements
- Strong expertise in commercial credit analysis, financial statement analysis, and global cash flow analysis
- Demonstrated ability to independently underwrite and structure complex credit transactions
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present and defend credit recommendations
- High attention to detail, organization, and accuracy in documentation review
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines
- Experience mentoring or training junior underwriting staff preferred
What We Bring:
- Flexible Work Schedule, remote work
- Competitive Salary
- Spot Bonuses
- Health, FREE dental, and FREE vision insurance
- 401(k) matching
- Employer Paid Life-AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
- Unlimited & Flexible Vacation Policy
- Culture of Learning & Growing
- Awesome team members!
If you're ready to take your career to the next level and join a team that values creativity and innovation, apply now! We can't wait to meet you and see how you'll contribute to our success.
Lenders is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate our employees' unique differences because that drives curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.