Underwriting Principal

Fifth Third Bank • Boston, NY

1d • $96,500 - $207,500

About The Position

The Underwriting Principal works closely with Relationship Managers and Credit partners throughout underwriting, credit approval, documentation, closing, and funding. The role identifies, assesses, and communicates credit risks; performs detailed due diligence and financial analysis; and supports sound underwriting decisions within established policies and risk appetite, escalating complex, sensitive, or policy-exception transactions as needed. The position builds collaborative routines with internal partners and contributes to underwriting consistency, risk discipline, and talent development.

The role is accountable for responsible risk management, candidly exchanging ideas and elevating concerns, following Bank policies and procedures, and supporting positive experiences for customers and colleagues. It consistently identifies, assesses, manages, monitors, and reports risks while operating within the Bank’s risk appetite.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in commercial underwriting.
• Deep expertise in financial analysis, projection modeling, credit structuring, documentation, and due diligence execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, and related applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate a credit view, key assumptions, and risk considerations clearly.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple transactions and timelines concurrently.

Nice To Haves

• CFA or MBA.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Relationship Managers on initial transaction assessment, financial analysis, structuring, and preparation of opportunity memos.
• Perform detailed due diligence on companies, industries, management teams, and relevant internal and external information.
• Develop, review, and assess financial projection models, including base-case and downside-case projections and their underlying assumptions.
• Manage underwriting, approval, and documentation for new-money transactions.
• Provide a balanced credit view of borrower, industry, structural, and execution risks within established credit policy and risk appetite.
• Identify, evaluate, and articulate key risks and mitigants, applying strong client selection, credit agreement, and underwriting skills.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and internal partners on documentation preparation, negotiation, and execution.
• Coordinate closing, funding, and booking activities with the Funding Desk and Credit Collateral Operations.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of internal and external post-closing requirements.
• Identify, assess, manage, and escalate credit risks in accordance with Bank policy, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
• Establish effective working partnerships and routines with internal stakeholders to support efficient execution and consistent credit outcomes.
• Provide ongoing feedback, technical guidance, and coaching to junior team members.
• Develop industry expertise in one or more sectors as applicable, and understand, monitor, and articulate industry trends, risks, and themes.
• Support underwriting consistency, knowledge sharing, and best-practice development within the underwriting function.
• Perform special projects and other assignments as requested.
• May supervise and direct the day-to-day activities of Credit Solutions professionals, provide timely and constructive performance feedback, develop employees, support succession planning, and recognize employee accomplishments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits programs supporting physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being.
• Incentive compensation plan eligibility, with payments based on company, line-of-business, and/or individual performance.

What This Job Offers

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