Middle Market Underwriter, Sr

Columbia Bank; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

401(k) with employer match

Paid vacation, sick days, holidays

Tuition assistance

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Columbia Bank in Santa Barbara, CA is seeking an experienced Commercial Underwriter to underwrite Middle Market credit requests across working capital, asset-based lines, CRE loans and equipment financing.

You will analyze financial data, prepare concise credit recommendations, monitor covenants, and collaborate with CSMs and Relationship Managers to mitigate risks and support loan growth. Onsite role with strong teamwork and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced credit and credit quality skills including accounting, financial statement spreading, and cash flow analysis.
• Demonstrated time management and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams to manage relationships.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of credit policies and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Underwrites new and renewal Middle Market credit requests across working capital, asset-based lines, CRE loans and equipment financing.
• Prepare timely, concise credit recommendations including risk ratings and policy compliance.
• Monitor borrower financial performance and ensure covenant calculations accuracy.
• Collaborate with Client Solutions Managers and Relationship Managers on credit findings and mitigations.
• Mentor and train others; ensure QC and high-quality credit reports.
• Adhere to bank regulations and bank policies; participate in required training.

Skills

Advanced analytical skills

Credit quality skills

Cash flow analysis

Time management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Job description

About the Role:

Underwrites new and renewal Middle Market credit requests comprised of working capital lines of credit, asset-based lines of credit, commercial real estate loans (Owner Occupied and Investor) and equipment financing; most often from moderate-to-complex enterprises with revenues greater than $5 million. Collaborates with Client Solutions Managers ("CSMs") and Relationship Managers to accurately present findings, including business rationale and risk mitigations, in order to obtain credit approval and meet customer needs.

• Analyze business, industry, financial data and other supporting credit information concerning an applicant’s credit request; identifies key business and financial risks that may impact the repayment prospects by the borrower; derives conclusions supporting the credit recommendation based on documented facts and/or sound judgement.
• Prepare timely, concise and accurate credit recommendations, with limited supervision or revision. Includes: (1) quantitative components within the underwriting narrative documenting the credit analysis; (2) accurate use of risk rating scoring models (aka Dual Risk Rating), both quantitative and qualitative rating elements, to ensure customers and loans are properly risk-rated; (3) accurate identification and mitigation of all exceptions to Bank tracked policies exceptions (TPE), tracked guidelines exceptions (TGE), procedures and compliance regulations; and (4) accurate loan coding consistent with nature of the borrowing relationship and terms of the credit(s).
• Monitor borrower financial performance in line with commercial and/or real estate loan documents; spreads financial statement and/or ensures required financial statements are spread in accordance with Bank Guidelines and resulting covenant calculations are accurate, complete and adhere to approval conditions and loan documentation. Collaborates with CSM to ensure borrower notifications are sent and approvals are obtained to resolve any violations in a timely manner.
• Partners with CSMs and Relationship Managers to offer insights into customer financial needs, including opportunities identified using Line of Business-approved relationship expansion tools. May also offer opinions related to a loan structure’s effectiveness to mitigate risks, appropriate to prevailing competitive market environment and Bank risk tolerances.
• Partners with CSMs and Relationship Managers in customer and prospect calls as appropriate. May shadow manage a portfolio with CSM as part of training and development, with Underwriting Manager and Market Director mutual approval.
• May oversee the work of other commercial underwriters or credit analysts, including the timely review of credit reports prepared by other underwriters to ensure a high level of report quality prior to submission for approval; findings to be captured via a standardized Quality Control (QC) Checklist and used to provide guidance and training to underwriters.
• Demonstrates compliance with all bank regulations for assigned job function and applies to designated job responsibilities - knowledge may be gained through coursework and on-the-job training. Keeps up to date on regulation changes.
• Follows all Bank policies and procedures, compliance regulations, and completes all required annual or job-specific training.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Bank’s written policies and procedures regarding Bank Secrecy Act, Regulation CC, Regulation E, Bank Security and other regulations as applicable to this job description.
• May be asked to coach, mentor, or train others and teach coursework as subject matter expert.
• Actively learns, demonstrates, and fosters the Columbia corporate culture in all actions and words.
• Takes personal initiative and is a positive example for others to emulate.
• Embraces our vision to become "Business Bank of Choice"
• May perform other duties as assigned.

About You:

Education Experience

• 7-10 years — of commercial underwriting/credit analysis experience or relevant lending experience. (Required)

Skills

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced credit and credit quality skills including accounting, financial statement spreading, and cash flow analysis experience; ability to train and present to small and large audiences or has the interest in learning to train and present.
• Demonstrated time management skills, reflecting the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously while delivering work product on time.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups across the company to manage internal and external customer relationships.
• Possess excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills, including ability to train and present to small and large audiences or has the interest in learning to train and present.
• Advanced knowledge of credit policies, procedures, practices and documentation.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional

The pay range for this role is $88,000 to $165,000

The pay rate for the selected candidate is dependent upon a variety of non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, education, and geographic location. The role may be eligible for performance-based incentive compensation, and those details will be provided during the recruitment process.

Primary Location:

Ability to work fully onsite at posted location(s).

1035 State Street Santa Barbara CA 93101

Our Benefits:

We are proud to offer a competitive total rewards package including base wages and comprehensive benefits.

We offer eligible associates comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), a 401(k)-retirement savings plan with employer match for qualifying associate contributions, an employee assistance program, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition assistance, mental health resources, identity theft protection, legal support, auto and home insurance, pet insurance, access to an online discount marketplace, and paid vacation, sick days, volunteer days, and holidays. Benefit eligibility begins the first day of the month following the date of hire for associates who are regularly scheduled to work at least thirty hours weekly.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Columbia Bank is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to employing, engaging, and developing a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, protected veteran status, disability, or any other applicable protected status or characteristics. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview(s), please let us know by email: [e-mail].

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:

Our posted job opportunities are only intended for individuals seeking employment at Columbia Bank. Columbia Bank does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies and Columbia Bank will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resume submissions. Staffing and recruiting agencies are not authorized to submit profiles, applications, or resumes to this site or to any Columbia Bank employee and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited unless requested directly by a member of the Talent Acquisition team.