USDA Credit Advisor

Synovus•Columbus, GA

About The Position

The USDA Credit Advisor provides credit analysis and underwriting for new and renewed credit requests, manages an ongoing credit portfolio, and prepares underwriting documentation. The role partners with Financial Advisors and provides guidance on credit appetite, structure, documentation, and monitoring. The advisor may become eligible for lending authority, as determined by the hiring manager. The position delivers service to clients and prospects, supports lending decisions with analysis and recommendations, monitors portfolio performance and credit requirements, and refers clients to other specialty areas when appropriate. It also includes risk and compliance responsibilities and, where applicable, team leadership and employee-management duties. The description reflects the general nature of the work and is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties or qualifications.

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.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the lending process.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) or related software.
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 involving financial and procedural data.
Ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Understanding of critical lending documentation, general business systems, and internal controls.
Ability to work accurately under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, multitask, manage time, meet deadlines, and 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. The role often requires long periods of mental concentration.
Ability to bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, walk, push, pull, lift, and grasp.

Responsibilities

Provide service to clients and prospects in person and by telephone, respond to inquiries, and resolve client issues.
Support the firm-wide standard of having phones answered by a live person within three rings.
Partner with Financial Advisors to provide guidance on new and renewed credit requests, including credit appetite, structure, documentation, and monitoring.
Perform underwriting functions, including financial spreading when applicable, written and global cash flow analysis, industry analysis, projections, collateral evaluation, and risk rating.
Participate in prospect and client calls and contribute to credit decisions.
When applicable, make sound credit decisions within assigned lending authority and complete Periodic Credit Reviews on time.
Prepare written analysis supporting credit exposure, risk ratings, and recommendations.
Calculate and test financial covenants, borrowing bases, and margin requirements; communicate defaults, projection variances, over-advances, and potential risk-rating changes.
Evaluate front-end cost analysis for construction loans and complete Net Operating Income analysis for applicable income-producing property loans.
Review monthly KPI and portfolio reports for accuracy and discuss results with the appropriate Senior Credit Officer.
Address clients' business and personal financial needs and refer them to specialty areas such as Trust, Investments, Insurance, and Treasury Management as appropriate.
Where applicable, manage annual performance and merit processes for direct and indirect reports; coach and develop team members; foster engagement; and coordinate with Human Resources on employee relations, compensation, training, and staffing matters.
Observe applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and risk limits, and promptly report known or suspected violations to the appropriate Company authority.
Assist other team members as needed to deliver service.
Perform other related duties as required.