Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter

First Community Bank•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter independently underwrites, structures, analyzes, and recommends complex government-guaranteed commercial loan requests in accordance with SBA SOP requirements, USDA guidelines, bank credit policy, and prudent commercial lending practices. The role supports credit quality, regulatory compliance, portfolio performance, and operational efficiency within the bank’s Government Guaranteed Lending platform. It requires advanced expertise in SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, and related programs, as well as sound business judgment, communication, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment. The Senior Underwriter serves as a technical resource to lenders, credit administration, closing, servicing, and executive management. The position also mentors colleagues, promotes consistent underwriting standards and credit culture, and contributes to procedures, workflows, training, and growth across SBA and USDA lending.

Requirements

Minimum 7–10 years of commercial credit underwriting experience.
Minimum 5 years of direct SBA underwriting experience.
Advanced knowledge of SBA SOP 50 10 and related procedural notices.
Advanced knowledge of SBA 7(a), Express, CAPLines, and construction lending.
Advanced knowledge of USDA Business & Industry (B&I) lending.
Advanced knowledge of commercial cash flow analysis and global cash flow.
Advanced knowledge of commercial real estate and business acquisition underwriting.
Advanced knowledge of construction lending analysis, environmental and appraisal requirements, SBA eligibility and affiliation rules, collateral valuation methodologies, loan structuring and risk assessment, and regulatory and compliance expectations.
Exceptional analytical and credit underwriting skills.
Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to manage multiple transactions under tight deadlines.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.
Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
High level of professionalism, accountability, and integrity.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, economics, or a related field.
USDA B&I underwriting experience.
Experience within a high-volume SBA lending platform.
Prior experience with PLP lending.
Experience with SBA E-Tran, CAFS, Abrigo / Sageworks / Moody’s, Microsoft Excel, and Word.

Responsibilities

Independently underwrite complex SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, and related government-guaranteed loan requests.
Analyze borrower financial statements, tax returns, projections, global cash flow, debt service capacity, collateral coverage, liquidity, guarantor support, and repayment ability.
Assess business risk, industry trends, management strength, succession considerations, and operational viability.
Structure transactions in compliance with SBA SOP, USDA program requirements, bank credit policy, and safe and sound banking practices.
Perform collateral analysis for real estate, business assets, special-purpose collateral, and construction lending scenarios.
Evaluate equity injection requirements, including the source and seasoning of funds and eligibility of contributed assets.
Analyze franchise eligibility, affiliation, size standards, ownership structures, and organizational documentation.
Review environmental, appraisal, insurance, and legal requirements associated with government-guaranteed lending.
Prepare written credit memorandums and recommendation packages for approval authorities and loan committees.
Present and defend loan recommendations to senior management and credit committees when necessary.
Maintain knowledge of current SBA SOPs, USDA regulations, policy notices, procedural updates, and program changes.
Ensure loans meet SBA and USDA eligibility, underwriting, documentation, and compliance requirements.
Assist in maintaining the bank’s Preferred Lender Program standards and USDA lending authority requirements.
Identify and mitigate potential guaranty repair or denial risks during underwriting.
Work with internal audit, quality control, compliance, and loan operations teams to support regulatory adherence.
Assist with responses to SBA, USDA, internal audit, and regulatory examination findings as needed.
Serve as a technical resource and mentor to junior underwriters, analysts, lenders, and support staff.
Promote consistency in underwriting standards and credit culture across the organization.
Partner with business development officers, closers, portfolio managers, and loan operations staff to support efficient loan flow and customer experience.
Assist in developing underwriting procedures, templates, workflows, and departmental best practices.
Participate in training initiatives related to SBA and USDA lending programs.
Maintain underwriting accuracy and compliance, deliver timely credit decisions, support portfolio growth while maintaining credit quality, and contribute to strategic growth in SBA and USDA lending.