Commercial Underwriter II or III

Tri Counties Bank; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri Counties Bank in California is seeking a Commercial Underwriter to assess and approve commercial loan requests, including real estate and SBA-related financing. The role involves analyzing financial statements, determining credit worthiness, and coordinating with Relationship Managers to support client needs.

The ideal candidate will have a foundation in finance or accounting, 3+ years in commercial lending, and strong Excel and report-writing skills, with a focus on accuracy and risk

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience in a small business/commercial lending environment.
• Established knowledge of financial accounting theory and logic, loan structuring, commercial products and services.
• Ability to interpret and discuss analytical data and make credit recommendations to Senior Management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and organizational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Analyze commercial loan applications to determine eligibility and risk.
• Coordinate credit approval process, evaluate repayment, and mitigate risk.
• Assist Relationship Managers to maximize cross-sell opportunities during processing.
• Ensure accurate processing, compliance with policies, and timely renewals.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial statement interpretation

Communication skills

MS Office (Word & Excel)

Organizational skills

Risk assessment

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Business/Accounting

Tools

Banking software

Credit report systems

Job description

Come to work for a company you can be proud to work for.

The hiring range for this opportunity is $92,200 to $130,000 annual salary along with incentive opportunities, creating a competitive total compensation package based on our pay scale, and may be modified by location and is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Commercial Underwriter underwrites commercial business, real estate, agriculture, and SBA 504 loan requests. The underwriter analyzes financial information, recommends loan actions, and approves loan requests within his or her authority as assigned. Analyzes commercial loan applications and renewals and determines credit worthiness and appropriate grading for consideration of the loan request. Assists the sales staff to maximize the cross sales effort as the loan request is being processed. Prepares loan for legal documentation and monitors the closing process. Follows for timely renewals, reporting requirements, compliance and delinquencies.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Analyzes commercial loan applications received by Relationship Managers to determine eligibility of request. Provides prompt turnaround time upon request. Confers with Relationship Managers to determine client needs and discuss options for borrowers. Requests any additional information needed to complete processing and periodically attends client meetings to provide credit expertise. Approves or declines commercial loan requests within assigned limits. Recommends credit approval requirements including the establishment of financial performance covenants, monitoring requirements, and other loan provisions and ensures accurate grading of new and existing credits based on analysis.
• Coordinates the credit approval process, evaluates repayment, and mitigates risk.
• Analyzes key factors such as industry, management, and economic trends.
• Provides assistance and exceptional sales support to all sales staff in answering questions relating to commercial loans.
• Assures the customer loan request is processed accurately and timely. Coordinates with appraisal department and escrow companies for secured loan products.
• Orders business credit reports and personal credit reports on business principals.
• Coordinates compliance, decline letter preparation and maintenance of adverse action database.
• Maintains a log of maturing lines and coordinates renewal process to ensure that necessary information is received prior to line maturity.
• Monitors past due loans for assigned portfolio(s) and recommends action to sales staff or contacts customers directly, as appropriate. Maintains a log of pending action or resolution for past due loans.
• Assists Relationship Managers as needed in the preparation of Interim Credit Reports and Real Estate Update Memos.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintains a current understanding of Bank underwriting guidelines, procedures, policies and compliance issues. Maintains a working knowledge of regulatory requirements for documentation and regulations relating to commercial lending.
• Maintains a current understanding of Bank policies and procedures in compliance with all federal and state laws, including but not limited to Bank Secrecy Act (SARs, CIP, OFAC), Information Security (GLBA), Identity Theft Red Flags, Financial Elder Abuse Reporting, and any other applicable regulations that may be specific to your job duties.
• Inputs application and financial information.
• Performs Commercial Credit Officer duties in their absence as needed.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
• Orders the preparation of loan documentation and reviews for completion.
• May be asked to provide formal or informal training and support to various colleagues within the bank and across multiple job functions with regard to credit fundamentals, policy, and underwriting techniques and guidelines.
• Assists Commercial Loan Supervisor in the development and completion of special projects, spreadsheets, graphs, and reports as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS REQUIRED

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Undergraduate degree in Finance, Business Administration or Accounting, or related work experience preferred.
• Three years’ experience in a small business/commercial lending environment.
• Established knowledge of financial accounting theory and logic, loan structuring, commercial products and services.
• A proven ability to interpret and discuss analytical data and make credit recommendations to Senior Management and/or Risk Management on strategic issues or initiatives.
• Excellent organizational skills with efficient work demeanor that allows involvement in multiple areas.
• Ability to utilize personal computers, and Windows-driven programs, with an emphasis on the Microsoft Office suite of applications, specifically Word and Excel.
• Ability to complete a high volume of work efficiently and with accuracy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

LEVEL DISTINCTION

Commercial Underwriter II – Above plus the following:

• Five years of proven experience in a small business/commercial lending environment.
• Must have substantial experience in small business/commercial lending and credit analysis.
• Must have a thorough understanding of commercial financial statements and an ability to communicate with commercial business owners.
• Must be able to analyze financial information, prepare cash flow and ratio analysis.
• Must have experience in loan recommendations and provide a concise loan write up.
• Ability to supervise in manager’s absence.
• Possess leadership abilities in a team environment and provide project leadership.
• Serves as a product specialist and a technical consultant to branches and sales staff and provides assistance and exceptional sales support in answering questions relating to small business/commercial loans.
• Provides guidance to the Commercial Underwriter I when appropriate and recommends appropriate loan structure when presented with loans for approval.
• Assists the Commercial Loan Supervisor in identifying training needs for staff within the department.

Commercial Underwriter III – Above plus following:

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and underwrite the most complex commercial credits in the Bank with minimal guidance or oversight, seven years of experience.
• Subject matter expert across a broad range of credit topics including financial statements and cash flow analysis, the regional commercial real estate market, and working capital finance.
• Track record of appropriately utilizing credit approval authority to make sound credit recommendations on complex commercial credits in line with the Bank’s credit culture, policies and procedures.
• Will serve as team leader for respective regional commercial underwriting group and in various departmental and bank wide projects.
• Must have ability to train and mentor junior credit personnel.
• Expert user of Bank systems, software, and third-party vendor platforms.
• Ability to perform primary relationship management or credit administrator functions in place of Relationship Managers and Commercial Loan Supervisors.

COMPANY PROFILE

Established in 1975, Tri Counties Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ: TCBK) headquartered in Chico, California with corporate offices in Roseville, South San Francisco, and Bakersfield, with assets of nearly $10 billion and 50 years of financial stability.

Tri Counties Bank is dedicated to providing exceptional service for individuals and businesses throughout California with more than 75 locations, advanced mobile and online banking, and access to approximately 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

AsCalifornia's Local Bank, Tri Counties Bank prioritizes serving clients with local bankers and local decision-making, backed by corporate philanthropy, community engagement, employee volunteerism and investments. Recognized by various publications as among the Top Workplaces and Best Banks, Tri Counties Bank recruits and retains diverse and talented team members.

Tri Counties Bank is an Aff

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.