Business Banking Senior Underwriter I

M&T Bank•Buffalo, NY

4d•$74,600 - $124,400

About The Position

Evaluate, structure, underwrite, and manage credit risks for Business Banking relationships involving both new lending and portfolio management. This experienced individual contributor in the First Line of Defense supports deal structuring, underwriting analysis, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. The role balances disciplined risk management with business growth by underwriting credit requests, recommending financing solutions, and monitoring portfolio risk with proactive mitigation. It assesses moderately complex credits and may independently support exposures up to $3 million or partner with Second Line of Defense Senior Credit Officers on larger relationships. Credit approval authority may be assigned according to experience and responsibilities. There are no formal managerial responsibilities, although the role provides guidance and training to junior colleagues. The position is located in Buffalo, New York.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of commercial or business banking credit underwriting experience; alternatively, a combined minimum of 7 years of higher education and/or work experience, including at least 7 years of relevant experience.
Strong ability to analyze financial statements, tax returns, and cash flow.
Demonstrated ability to support underwriting and management of commercial credit relationships.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Strong partnership skills across credit and sales teams, with the ability to negotiate and mediate compromises.
Ability to develop and support credit recommendations.
Self-motivated, able to manage workload and make independent decisions with minimal oversight in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort making decisions with imperfect information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Nice To Haves

Completion of a formal commercial credit training program.
Proficiency in commercial underwriting systems such as nCino and in accounting systems.
Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Strong ability to manage change and multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

Underwrite and evaluate Business Banking loan applications and existing portfolio exposures, including financial statements, cash flow, collateral, and guarantor support.
Conduct continuous credit monitoring, identify emerging risks and deteriorating credit conditions, and pursue proactive mitigation such as restructuring or modifications when appropriate.
Facilitate deal screens between First Line of Defense and Second Line of Defense Credit for new requests, identify key risks, recommend mitigants, and implement enhancements.
Structure credit solutions with terms, conditions, covenants, and controls appropriate to the risk profile and policy.
Prepare clear, supported underwriting analyses assessing credit quality, risk ratings, and policy compliance.
Partner with Relationship Managers and Sales teams throughout the deal lifecycle and ongoing portfolio management.
Adhere to credit policy, regulatory expectations, and internal control standards, documenting exceptions and mitigation strategies.
Participate in process and quality improvement initiatives to improve underwriting consistency and effectiveness.
Provide training, guidance, and support to junior underwriters and business partners as needed.
Participate in projects and working groups as assigned.
Maintain timely, accurate, and effective underwriting and portfolio management practices.
Follow company risk and regulatory standards, policies, controls, and Risk Appetite; identify issues requiring escalation to management.
Promote a culture of belonging that reflects the M&T Bank brand.
Maintain internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points and applicable issues raised by external regulators.
Complete other related duties as assigned.