SBA Credit Advisor

Synovus Bank•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The SBA Credit Advisor provides distinctive service to clients and prospects while underwriting and supporting approval of government-guaranteed SBA 7(a) and 504 loans. These loans may finance start-ups, business acquisitions, expansion, equipment purchases, construction, and commercial real estate purchases. The role ensures SBA lending activity complies with the SBA SOP and Pinnacle SBA Credit Policy, manages the loan portfolio, and prepares underwriting documentation. The advisor may become eligible for lending authority, as determined by leadership. The role partners with Financial Advisors to provide guidance on new and renewed credit requests, including credit desirability, structure, documentation, and monitoring. It performs underwriting analyses and provides written recommendations to the credit approving team, participates in client and prospect calls, and may exercise approval judgment within assigned lending authority. The advisor also completes periodic credit reviews, identifies and reports risks or suspected violations, responds to client needs, and refers clients to other specialty areas when appropriate.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance or a business-related field, such as accounting or economics.
At least 10 years of experience in financial services.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) or related software.
Thorough knowledge of the SBA SOP lending process, including the 7(a) and 504 programs, and borrower eligibility requirements relevant to protecting the Bank's government guarantee.
Knowledge of federal and state banking regulations and compliance.
Proficiency with technology and loan systems.
Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Effective analytical skills with financial and procedural data; ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely.
Understanding of critical lending documentation, general business systems, and internal controls.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining accuracy.
Flexibility, multitasking, effective time management, and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Excellent client service skills and tact and diplomacy when dealing with clients and team members.
Ability to stand and sit for prolonged periods; use manual dexterity; communicate verbally; maintain visual acuity; perform repetitive motions; and hear.
Ability to sustain long periods of mental concentration.
Ability to bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push, pull, lift, and grasp.

Responsibilities

Provide distinctive service to clients and prospects in person and by telephone; respond to inquiries and resolve client issues.
Support the three-ring standard by helping ensure phones are answered by a live person within three rings.
Partner with Financial Advisors to guide new and renewed credit requests, including assessment of credit appetite, structure, documentation, and monitoring.
Perform underwriting functions, including financial spreading when applicable, written analysis, global cash flow analysis, industry analysis, projections, collateral evaluation, and risk rating.
Participate in prospect and client calls and contribute to credit decisions.
Exercise sound approval judgment when acting within assigned lending authority, if applicable.
Complete periodic credit reviews on time.
Prepare sufficient written analysis to support credit exposure, assigned risk ratings, and recommendations.
Address clients' business and personal financial needs and refer them to specialty areas such as Trust, Investments, Insurance, and Treasury Management, as appropriate.
Observe policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and risk limits relevant to the role; timely raise and report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Company authority.
Assist other team members as needed to deliver distinctive service.
Perform other related duties as required.