Credit Underwriting Officer

Hills Bank•Hills, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary responsibility of the Credit Underwriting Officer is to assist with the commercial and agricultural credit functions of Hills Bank. These functions include the underwriting of loans originated by the Commercial Lending Staff with the ability to approve applications within lending authority and reviewing of existing credit relationships in the financial review process. These duties include the reviewing and analyzing of financial information, providing recommendations on loan structuring and pricing, determining adherence to loan policy, and assigning risk ratings to the existing relationships. Additional duties within the position include the preparation of monthly asset quality reports, overseeing the financial information spreading, approving of external appraisals and internal evaluations, and special projects as needed. The ideal candidate for the position will have excellent communication skills, ability to multi-task and meet deadlines, and have an acute attention to detail while working independently in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in the field of business, including specific courses in accounting, finance, and economics.
A minimum of 3 years of commercial credit underwriting experience.
Ability to read and analyze financial statements, tax returns, credit reports, and loan documents required.
Skills needed in a typical office environment.
Computer skills, communications skills, as well as utilization of office equipment.
Requires work before or after normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

Excellent communication skills
Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
Acute attention to detail
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Commercial Lending staff in the preparation of credit loan applications through the credit underwriting process.
Underwriting would include determining the adequacy of the primary and secondary repayment source, analysis of financial information, formatting requests to adhere to loan policy, and assessing overall risk to bank capital on all commercial loan types at Hills Bank.
Provide ongoing support and guidance to Commercial Banking staff by providing recommendations on loan structuring, credit worthiness of customers, adherence to loan policy, and overall risk to bank capital.
Determine if loan requests should ultimately be pursued.
Approve loan applications within lending authority set in commercial loan policy.
Further develop expertise within a particular loan type.
Perform financial reviews by analyzing financial information received from existing loan customers with increased complexity and exposure.
Make an assessment of the credit quality of the relationship, assigning risk ratings to the relationship, and documenting the decision to maintain asset quality.
Communicate credit risk rating, loan policy exceptions, and recommendations for credit improvements to the Commercial Lending staff on their existing portfolio.
Work closely with lending staff to identify areas of improvement and develop action plans to improve relationships.
Assist in the conversations with internal, regulatory, and third-party examiners on credit relationships.
Complete assigned tasks on a weekly / monthly / quarterly basis.
Proactively manage and improve processes with direction from supervisor and complete all task with little oversight or correction.
Responsible for understanding financial statements and tax returns to complete the financial information spreading on all commercial loan types and credit relationships.
Approve of internal property evaluations in accordance to FIRREA and complete collateral summaries to adhere to loan policy guidelines.
Responsible for the approval of commercial credit cards and will assist with the ACH approval process.
Preparation of monthly and quarterly asset quality related reports and other portfolio monitoring reports.
Work on other credit related projects as directed by the Senior Vice President, Credit Underwriting.
Work closely with the Credit Analyst I & II to complete loan requests and financial review requirements.
Assist in the training of Credit Analyst I & II positions and reviewing of work being completed.
As part of the overall team of bank employees, this position will be requested to help support and participate in other bank activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.