Business Banking Senior Underwriter I

M&T Bank; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank in Buffalo, NY seeks a Commercial Credit professional to evaluate loan applications and adjudicate credit requests up to $500,000 using individual lending authority.

The role requires analyzing financial statements, cash flow, and credit history to structure financing that mitigates risk while supporting business growth. SBA lending knowledge and strict policy adherence are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or equivalent in related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of commercial or business lending experience.
• Ability to analyze financial statements, tax returns, and credit reports.
• Ability to calculate business/personal cash flow to service debt; formal credit training.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate commercial loan applications from Branch and Business Banking relationship managers.
• Analyze financial condition, cash flow and credit history to make lending decisions within authority.
• Prepare cash flow analyses for borrowers and guarantors; structure financing up to $500,000.
• Present loan requests to senior credit officers or management for decisions.
• Ensure compliance with risk controls and regulatory policies; support sales partnerships.

Skills

Credit analysis

Cash flow analysis

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Tools

nCino

Accounting systems

Microsoft Word

Job description

Overview

Evaluate commercial loan applications received from the Business Banking sales team. Adjudicate new and/or annual review credit requests with group credits up to $500,000 using individual lending authority.

Primary Responsibilities

• Evaluate commercial loan applications received from Branch and Business Banking relationship managers.
• Credit facilities include secured and unsecured term loans, commercial mortgages, lines of credit, letters of credit, corporate cards and Tier II guidance lines.
• Analyze each loan applicant’s financial condition, cash flow and credit history in order to make an appropriate lending decision within the individual lending authority. Lending authority of $500,000.
• Exercise sound judgment and understanding of credit policy, as well as the Business Banking credit philosophy when rendering a decision.
• Prepare cash flow analysis of the business and personal guarantors using financial statements. Provide financing structures up to $500,000 to the Bank’s customers and prospects that mitigate risk, while allowing the Bank to win additional business.
• Effectively address risk on existing customer relationships by properly restructuring credit, when appropriate. Incumbent must have the ability to recognize warning signs of troubled credits, and take the necessary action to minimize losses.
• Establish collaborative partnerships with sales team, including, when appropriate, participation in customer calls.
• An understanding of governmental loan programs (SBA lending) is required.
• Present loan requests to senior credit officers or management for decisions when appropriate.
• Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand. Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities

Incumbent is to ensure credit requests are underwritten in accordance with Bank policy and Business Banking underwriting guidelines in a timely manner. Work closely with the sales to team to understand the borrower’s business model and identify specific loan purpose. Provide appropriate financing structures that mitigate risk, while allowing the Bank to win additional business.

Incumbent must have the ability to effectively communicate the rationale for a loan decision to the sales team in a diplomatic and professional manner.

In addition, incumbent must have the ability to judgmentally decision complex loan requests, with significant latitude to determine structure, terms and loan conditions for a lending relationship. Furthermore, the incumbent must be able to identify industry risks for the bank’s customers across numerous business segments and structure the loan relationship appropriately based on that risk. Provide training to new Business Credit Center team members, as well as to the Business Banking and Branch sales teams.

Education and Experience Required

Bachelors in related field or in lieu of a degree, equivalent in experience (# yrs of education = # yrs of work experience) in a related field. MBA Preferred.

Minimum of 5 years previous commercial or business lending experience required.

Ability to analyze and understand financial statements, business and personal tax returns, as well as credit reports.

Ability to properly calculate business and personal cash flow to determine the ability to service debt. Formal credit training.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.

Ideal Qualifications Preferred

• Proficiency in commercial underwriting (nCino) and accounting systems preferred.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• Strong ability to manage change and multiple priorities.

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $74,600.00 - $124,400.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America

M&T Bank Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including disabilities and veterans.