Middle Market Underwriter, Sr

Columbia Bank•Santa Barbara, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Underwrites new and renewal Middle Market credit requests, including working capital lines of credit, asset-based lines of credit, commercial real estate loans (owner occupied and investor), and equipment financing. Requests are most often from moderate-to-complex enterprises with revenues greater than $5 million. The role collaborates with Client Solutions Managers and Relationship Managers to present findings, business rationale, and risk mitigations to obtain credit approval and meet customer needs. The underwriter analyzes business, industry, financial, and other supporting credit information; identifies business and financial risks that could affect repayment; and bases credit recommendations on documented facts and sound judgment. The role prepares timely, concise, and accurate credit recommendations with limited supervision or revision. This includes documenting quantitative analysis in underwriting narratives, applying risk-rating models and their quantitative and qualitative elements, identifying and mitigating policy, guideline, procedure, and compliance exceptions, and coding loans appropriately. The role monitors borrower financial performance under commercial and real estate loan documents, spreads financial statements or ensures they are spread according to Bank Guidelines, and verifies covenant calculations are accurate and consistent with approval conditions and loan documents. It works with CSMs to ensure notifications are sent and approvals are obtained to resolve violations in a timely manner. The underwriter also provides insight into customer financial needs and potential relationship-expansion opportunities, may advise on loan structures, and may participate in customer and prospect calls. With mutual approval from the Underwriting Manager and Market Director, the role may shadow-manage a portfolio with a CSM as part of training and development. It may also oversee commercial underwriters or credit analysts, review their credit reports for quality, document findings using a standardized QC Checklist, and provide guidance and training. The position requires compliance with applicable bank regulations, policies, procedures, and required training, including maintaining working knowledge of relevant Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, and Bank Security requirements. The role may coach, mentor, or train others, teach coursework as a subject matter expert, perform other assigned duties, and actively support Columbia Bank’s corporate culture and vision to become the “Business Bank of Choice.” The position is based fully onsite at 1035 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Occasional travel is required.

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 experience.
Advanced knowledge of credit policies, procedures, practices, and documentation.
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.
Ability to train and present to small and large audiences, or interest in learning to do so.
Ability to work fully onsite at the posted location.
Occasional travel.

Responsibilities

Underwrite new and renewal Middle Market credit requests across working capital lines, asset-based lines, commercial real estate loans, and equipment financing.
Analyze applicants’ business, industry, financial, and other supporting credit information; identify repayment risks and develop fact-based credit recommendations.
Prepare timely, concise, and accurate credit recommendations, including quantitative analysis, risk ratings, exception identification and mitigation, and accurate loan coding.
Monitor borrower financial performance and ensure financial statements and covenant calculations comply with Bank Guidelines, approvals, and loan documents.
Coordinate borrower notifications and approvals with CSMs to resolve violations in a timely manner.
Partner with CSMs and Relationship Managers to identify customer financial needs and relationship-expansion opportunities, advise on loan structure, and participate in customer or prospect calls as appropriate.
May shadow-manage a portfolio with a CSM, subject to Underwriting Manager and Market Director approval.
May oversee commercial underwriters or credit analysts, review credit reports, document findings using the QC Checklist, and provide guidance and training.
Follow applicable bank regulations, policies, procedures, and training requirements, and maintain knowledge of relevant regulations.
May coach, mentor, train others, or teach coursework as a subject matter expert.
Support Columbia Bank’s corporate culture and vision, and 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
Performance-based incentive compensation may be available