Commercial Underwriter, Sr

Columbia Bank•Spokane, WA

18d•$81,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

Underwrites new and renewal Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Commercial Real Estate (CRE) credit requests, including working capital lines of credit, asset-based lines of credit, owner-occupied and investor commercial real estate loans, and equipment financing. Requests most often involve moderate-to-complex enterprises with revenues generally greater than $5 million. The role collaborates with Commercial Portfolio Managers, Client Solutions Managers, Commercial Relationship Managers, and other team members to present credit findings, business rationale, and risk mitigations in support of credit approval and customer needs. The Senior Commercial Underwriter analyzes business, industry, financial, and other supporting credit information; identifies risks that may affect repayment; and develops fact-based credit recommendations using sound judgment. The role prepares timely, accurate recommendations with limited supervision, including quantitative underwriting analysis, dual risk ratings, exception identification and mitigation, and loan coding. It also monitors borrower financial performance, spreads financial statements, calculates covenants, and works with colleagues to resolve violations. The position may contribute insights about customer financial needs and loan structures, join customer and prospect calls, and shadow-manage a portfolio with required approvals. It may oversee and review the work of other underwriters or credit analysts, document quality-control findings, and provide guidance and training. The employee must comply with applicable bank policies, procedures, regulations, and training requirements; maintain knowledge of relevant regulations; and demonstrate Columbia Bank’s corporate culture and take personal initiative. Other duties may be assigned. Occasional travel is required. The position is fully onsite at 111 N Wall St Building, Spokane, WA 99201.

Requirements

7–10 years of commercial underwriting/credit analysis experience or relevant lending experience (required).
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
Advanced credit and credit-quality skills, including accounting, financial statement spreading, and cash flow analysis.
Demonstrated time-management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks while delivering work on time.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups across the company and manage internal and external customer relationships.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Advanced knowledge of credit policies, procedures, practices, and documentation.
Proficiency with personal computers and software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other business machines.
Ability or interest in learning to train and present to small and large audiences.
Ability to work fully onsite at the posted location.
Occasional travel required.

Responsibilities

Underwrite new and renewal C&I and CRE credit requests, including working capital and asset-based lines of credit, commercial real estate loans, and equipment financing.
Analyze businesses, industries, financial data, and supporting credit information; identify repayment risks and support credit recommendations with documented facts and sound judgment.
Prepare timely, concise, and accurate credit recommendations with limited supervision or revision.
Document quantitative credit analysis and accurately apply quantitative and qualitative elements of dual risk rating models.
Identify and mitigate exceptions to bank policies, guidelines, procedures, and compliance regulations; code loans consistently with the borrowing relationship and credit terms.
Monitor borrower financial performance and financial reporting requirements under commercial and real estate loan documents.
Spread financial statements or ensure they are spread according to bank guidelines, and ensure covenant calculations are accurate, complete, and consistent with approval conditions and loan documentation.
Collaborate with colleagues to send borrower notifications and obtain approvals to resolve covenant violations in a timely manner.
Offer insights into customer financial needs and potential relationship-expansion opportunities using approved tools.
Provide input on loan structures to help mitigate risk while considering market conditions and bank risk tolerances.
Participate in customer and prospect calls as appropriate.
With mutual approval from the Underwriting Manager and Market Director, shadow-manage a portfolio as part of training and development.
May oversee commercial underwriters or credit analysts, review their credit reports, record findings using the standardized QC Checklist, and provide guidance and training.
Comply with bank regulations, policies, procedures, and required annual or job-specific training; keep current on regulatory changes.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable written policies and regulations, including Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, and Bank Security requirements.
May coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as a subject matter expert.
Demonstrate and foster Columbia’s corporate culture, take personal initiative, and act as a positive example.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions
Employee assistance program
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Tuition assistance
Mental health resources
Identity theft protection
Legal support
Auto and home insurance
Pet insurance
Online discount marketplace
Paid vacation
Paid sick days
Paid volunteer days
Paid holidays