Small Business Loan Officer

Northwest Access Fund • Seattle, WA

36d • $75,000 - $85,000 • Remote

About The Position

Northwest Access Fund is hiring a full-time Small Business Loan Officer to evaluate lending opportunities, conduct financial analysis, prepare credit presentations, and build relationships with borrowers. The role focuses particularly on financing Adult Family Home (AFH) businesses to expand access to safe, community-based housing for people with disabilities and aging adults. The officer will build a healthy portfolio of AFH and other business loans, develop institutional knowledge of relevant regulatory and compliance requirements and construction practices, and raise community awareness of the small business lending program.

The position provides one-to-one technical assistance and group training to loan applicants and entrepreneurs to support loan readiness. As capacity demands, the officer will also collaborate with the lending team to package, underwrite, and monitor home modification and other consumer loans. In partnership with the Director of Lending, the officer will integrate financial readiness and inclusive lending with risk management and organizational stability, recommend loan policies to the Leadership Team, and prepare periodic lending updates for the Board of Directors and funders.

The officer will support the Director of Outreach & Partnerships in developing referral and support networks with nonprofits, community lenders, manufacturers, contractors, and local agencies. The role also requires ongoing research into regulatory, zoning, and permitting requirements to assess compliance and feasibility across jurisdictions.

Staff work remotely from home, with in-person meetings and outreach activities as public health allows. Candidates should be located in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. The position may require occasional evening work and travel. A valid driver's license is preferred, and reliable transportation is required.

Requirements

• Experience underwriting small business and microenterprise loans (preferred qualification; no minimum years stated).
• Ability to conduct financial analysis and assess repayment capacity, project feasibility, and credit risk.
• Ability to provide technical assistance, small business coaching, and support for loan readiness.
• Ability to research regulatory, zoning, and permitting requirements across jurisdictions.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• Candidates should be located in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working within a CDFI, nonprofit lender, or housing organization.
• Understanding of Adult Family Home operations.
• Understanding of construction practices.
• Experience working one-to-one with entrepreneurs to develop and refine business plans.
• Experience underwriting small business and microenterprise loans.
• Multilingual ability and/or experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective borrowers, existing clients, referral partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to loan inquiries and conduct pre-screening meetings with prospective borrowers.
• Represent Northwest Access Fund at conferences, community meetings, industry events, and networking opportunities.
• Analyze financial statements, tax returns, cash flow projections, operating budgets, collateral information, and other underwriting materials.
• Assess borrower repayment capacity, project feasibility, and overall credit risk.
• Recommend loan terms and conditions that meet borrower needs while aligning with organizational risk standards and mission objectives.
• Prepare credit memos, financial analyses, and loan recommendations for internal review and approval.
• Present loan opportunities and transaction structures to the Loan Review Committee.
• Guide applicants through the loan application process, documentation requirements, eligibility guidelines, and lending process.
• Provide technical assistance and small business coaching to enhance loan readiness.
• Support loan applicants in developing business and feasibility plans and financial projections.
• Help applicants understand business planning, licensing, and operational requirements for AFHs and other small housing enterprises.
• Help borrowers prepare for construction and provide ongoing resource recommendations to support successful project launches.
• Identify accessibility or compliance barriers and recommend solutions to streamline lending processes.
• Build a compliance framework aligned with local, state, and federal housing regulations.
• Ensure underwriting standards and documentation meet NWAF and CDFI requirements.
• Coordinate with external partners, including local governments, permitting agencies, and contractors, to ensure program feasibility.
• Research regulatory and permitting requirements across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and partner jurisdictions to inform program design.
• Develop organizational knowledge about construction practices and costs to inform lending procedures.
• Support packaging and underwriting home modification loans.
• Support NWAF lending across product lines and provide collaborative cross-departmental support to lending, financial coaching, outreach, and administrative teams.
• Work with the Director of Lending to support program and client success through financial readiness, inclusive lending, risk management, and organizational stability.
• Recommend loan policies to the Leadership Team and prepare periodic updates about AFH and related-business lending for the Board of Directors and funders.
• Support the Director of Outreach & Partnerships in building connections with nonprofits, community lenders, manufacturers, contractors, and local agencies.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health, dental, and vision benefits option for the employee, with 50% coverage for dependents.
• Flexible Savings Accounts.
• Enrollment in SIMPLE IRA, with employer matching up to 3% of salary.
• 18 vacation days, 15 sick days, and 10 holidays.
• Office closure from December 24 through January 1.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed