Business Banking SBA Closer Secondary Mkts

Citizens•Johnston, RI

About The Position

The SBA Loan Closer is responsible for managing the end-to-end closing process for SBA-guaranteed loans across all underwriting channels, from credit approval through funding and booking. This role ensures that all loan documentation, due diligence, and closing conditions comply with SBA SOPs, credit approval, bank policy, and regulatory requirements. The Closer serves as the central point of coordination among internal partners, external legal counsel, and third-party vendors to deliver timely, accurate, and compliant loan closings. While the position may support secondary market activities as needed, the primary focus is on sound SBA loan closing execution, documentation quality, and program integrity.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience closing SBA 7(a) and/or 504 loans, including strong knowledge of SBA SOP requirements.
Proven ability to manage complex loan closings with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
Strong attention to detail with a high level of documentation and compliance discipline.
Effective communicator with the confidence to lead external counsel and internal partners through issue resolution.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately escalate risk-related matters.
Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required; comparable, directly related SBA loan closing experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Nice To Haves

Experience with secondary market SBA loan sales

Responsibilities

Review approved credit memos to interpret structure, conditions, and SBA eligibility requirements and translate them into comprehensive closing checklists.
Prepare and/or review SBA-specific documents, including SBA Authorizations and related internal forms, ensuring alignment with credit approval, SBA SOP, and bank policy.
Direct and manage external counsel throughout the loan closing process, resolving documentation issues efficiently and escalating material risks when appropriate.
Perform quality control reviews of all closing documents prepared by outside counsel to ensure accuracy, enforceability, and adherence to SBA and bank standards.
Coordinate satisfaction of pre-closing and post-closing conditions, ensuring all requirements are met prior to funding and booking.
Order, review, and validate required third-party due diligence (e.g., lien searches, title, insurance, flood, appraisals, and zoning as applicable).
Act as the central liaison among Relationship Managers, Underwriting, Credit Risk, Portfolio Management, Loan Operations, and Legal to drive timely closings.
Partner closely with Commercial Loan Operations to ensure accurate loan setup, booking, and funding.
Serve as an SBA Subject Matter Expert for assigned underwriting channels, providing guidance on SBA SOP interpretation and program requirements.
Coordinate with internal business partners to maintain SBA program integrity throughout the closing process.
Support internal audits, loan reviews, and regulatory exams by providing documentation and responding to inquiries related to closed loans.
Support secondary market execution activities for SBA loans as needed, including coordination with internal teams, vendors, and the SBA’s fiscal and regulatory agents.
Assist with loan sale documentation, tracking, and rebooking in partnership with Loan Operations when loans are sold.
Process SBA loan modifications and support secondary market buybacks when required, ensuring accurate documentation and system updates.
Maintain documented procedures for assigned responsibilities and recommend enhancements to improve efficiency, controls, and borrower experience.
Track loan status, closing timelines, and exception items; prepare ad hoc reporting as needed.
Identify trends, risks, and recurring issues and propose corrective actions to management.