Senior Credit Approver

First Western • Denver, CO

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Credit Approver independently approves complex consumer, commercial, and residential mortgage credit requests within delegated lending authority and promotes sound portfolio risk management. The role conducts one-up reviews of credit decisions, evaluates complex credit structures and policy exceptions, validates risk ratings and underwriting quality, and verifies before closing that approved loans meet credit conditions, regulatory requirements, and policy standards.

As a subject matter expert, the Senior Credit Approver guides and mentors analysts and junior approvers, supports consistent application of credit policy and risk practices, identifies emerging portfolio trends and risks, and partners with lending and credit leadership to maintain portfolio quality and a strong credit culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of commercial, consumer, and/or mortgage credit underwriting and analysis experience.
• Strong knowledge of commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage lending principles.
• Thorough understanding of financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, global cash flow, collateral analysis, and credit structuring.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidance, banking compliance requirements, and risk management practices.
• Ability to coach and train less experienced analysts and lenders.
• Proficiency with loan origination systems, financial spreading software, and Microsoft Office applications.

Nice To Haves

• 3–5 years of credit approval or delegated lending authority experience.
• 3–5 years of training, mentoring, or leadership responsibilities within credit functions.
• Formal commercial credit training, such as RMA, Moody's, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Independently approve complex consumer, commercial, and residential mortgage loan requests within assigned lending authority limits.
• Partner with PC associates, lenders, and Credit Administration to facilitate timely movement from approval through documentation and closing.
• Perform one-up reviews of credit decisions made by lower delegated authorities, providing independent challenge, guidance, and oversight to ensure sound underwriting and adherence to credit policy.
• Conduct post-approval, pre-closing reviews of complex transactions to verify satisfaction of approval conditions, policy requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Perform and validate dual risk rating reviews at origination, ensuring consistency in risk assessment and accuracy of portfolio risk ratings.
• Mentor Credit Analysts and Credit Approvers by supporting onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing professional development.
• Recommend development, enhancement, and maintenance of credit policies, underwriting standards, procedures, and risk management practices.
• Partner with lending teams, Credit Administration, and senior leadership to structure, evaluate, and resolve complex underwriting matters, policy exceptions, and high-impact credit transactions.
• Identify emerging portfolio risks, underwriting trends, and credit quality concerns; escalate issues and recommend risk mitigation strategies.
• Support portfolio management initiatives through ongoing review of credit quality, risk exposure, and compliance with established credit standards.

Benefits

• Strong bonus potential.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.
• Paid parking and transportation benefits.
• Health savings accounts (HSA).
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off and bank holidays.
• Training and professional development programs.
• Sponsorship and support for obtaining professional certifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior