Commercial/Ag Underwriter

Lake Ridge Bank • Middleton, WI

1d

About The Position

The Commercial/Ag Underwriter partners with Business Banking Relationship Managers to assess credit risk, support client strategies, and identify new business opportunities. The role manages loan portfolios, performs due diligence and financial analysis, and contributes to credit decisions while maintaining high-quality portfolios and complying with banking regulations.

The underwriter serves as a liaison among commercial production staff, the Credit Risk Department, and other internal teams. The position supports new and existing borrowers through credit analysis, loan renewals, approval materials, documentation preparation, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. It also requires proactive communication with relationship managers and others involved in renewal and new-business pipelines.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a similar field, and/or three years of previous work experience in a lending environment.
• Solid understanding of financial statements, including tax returns, profit and loss statements, income statements, balance sheets, and other business financials.
• Well-developed verbal and written interpersonal and communication skills to communicate and relate effectively with customers and associates.
• Good accounting and math skills, with the ability to work precisely with numbers and financial calculations.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently and accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and remain calm in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, proficient typing and keyboarding skills, and the ability and willingness to learn new programs and software.
• Ability to maintain confidential customer information.
• Ability to read, write, understand, and speak English clearly.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional, positive manner.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Previous experience in credit analysis or commercial underwriting within a financial institution.
• Previous work experience in accounting and/or working with business financial statements.
• Previous work experience in a lending environment, preferably in a financial institution.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business Banking Relationship Managers to assess portfolio credit risk and quality, discuss client strategies, and identify business opportunities.
• Act as a liaison between Commercial Production staff, the Credit Risk Department, and other internal staff.
• Communicate proactively with relationship managers about updated financials, covenant compliance, client business knowledge, and potential cross-sell opportunities.
• Proactively manage and facilitate renewals of assigned relationship managers’ credits at least 60 days before renewal.
• Interpret and evaluate credit bureau reports, UCC filings, and public records.
• Prepare loan credit presentations and participate in the loan approval process.
• Prepare commitment letters or review them as needed.
• Prepare loan files for the documentation team by completing post-approval due diligence.
• Coordinate with third parties as needed for evaluations, appraisals, and environmental due diligence.
• Meet regularly with relationship managers, administrative assistants, and loan production staff to discuss priorities and the status of renewal and new-business pipelines.
• Perform accurate financial analysis, due diligence, and risk assessment of new and existing borrowers; recommend loan structures and discuss loan policy.
• Monitor credit risk and the quality of the loan portfolio.
• Identify client activity trends that may indicate deteriorating credit quality and recommend action to the relationship manager and Credit Risk Officer as necessary.
• Work with relationship managers to collect financial information needed to analyze new and renewed loan requests.
• Follow bank security, compliance, and policy requirements; complete annual bank security and compliance training; and stay current on compliance regulations.
• Maintain customer confidentiality and neat, accurate commercial files.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree