Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK (SC); Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK (SC) seeks an experienced Senior SBA Underwriter to independently underwrite complex government-guaranteed loan requests and to ensure compliance with SBA SOPs and USDA guidelines. The role requires strong credit judgment, collaboration with lenders and operations, and leadership in a high-volume environment.

The candidate will analyze financials, structure transactions, and prepare memorandums for approval while mentoring staff and maintaining credit quality across the GGL

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, economics, or related field.
• 7–10 years of commercial credit underwriting experience.
• Minimum 5 years of direct SBA underwriting experience.
• USDA B&I underwriting experience preferred.
• High-volume SBA lending experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite complex SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I loans.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, debt service, and collateral.
• Structure transactions per SBASOP, USDA requirements, and bank policy.
• Prepare credit memorandums and present to approval authorities and loan committees.
• Mentor junior underwriters and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Credit underwriting

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance

Tools

SBA E-Tran

CAFS

Abrigo

Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior SBA& USDA Underwriter is responsible for the independent underwriting,structuring, analysis, and recommendation of complex government guaranteedcommercial loan requests in accordance with SBA SOP requirements, USDAguidelines, bank credit policy, and prudent commercial lending practices.

This positionplays a critical role in maintaining credit quality, regulatory compliance,portfolio performance, and operational efficiency within a high-performingGovernment Guaranteed Lending (“GGL”) platform. The ideal candidate possessesadvanced technical expertise in SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, andrelated government guaranteed lending programs, while also demonstrating strongbusiness judgment, communication skills, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment consistent with one of the nation’stop SBA lenders.

The SeniorUnderwriter serves as a key resource to lenders, credit administration,closing, servicing, and executive management while helping drive growth,consistency, and credit culture throughout the organization.

The idealcandidate combines elite-level government guaranteed lending expertise withstrong business acumen, sound credit judgment, operational discipline, and acollaborative leadership style. This individual thrives in a high-performancelending environment focused on growth, compliance, credit quality, andexceptional client service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

(Otherduties may be assigned.)

CreditUnderwriting & Analysis

• Independently underwrite complex SBA 7(a), SBAExpress, USDA B&I, and related government guaranteed loan requests.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, taxreturns, projections, global cash flow, debt service capacity, collateralcoverage, liquidity, guarantor support, and repayment ability.
• Assess business risk, industry trends, managementstrength, succession considerations, and operational viability.
• Structure transactions in accordance with SBASOP, USDA program requirements, bank credit policy, and safe and soundbanking practices.
• Perform detailed collateral analysis includingreal estate, business assets, special purpose collateral, and constructionlending scenarios.
• Evaluate equity injection requirements, sourceand seasoning of funds, and eligibility of contributed assets.
• Analyze franchise eligibility, affiliation, sizestandards, ownership structures, and organizational documentation.
• Review environmental, appraisal, insurance, andlegal requirements associated with government guaranteed lending.
• Prepare comprehensive written credit memorandumsand recommendation packages for approval authorities and loan committees.
• Present and defend loan recommendations to seniormanagement and credit committees when necessary.

GovernmentGuaranteed Program Compliance

• Maintain expert-level knowledge of current SBASOPs, USDA regulations, policy notices, procedural updates, and programchanges.
• Ensure all loans meet SBA and USDA eligibility,underwriting, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Assist in maintaining the bank’s Preferred LenderProgram (“PLP”) standards and USDA lending authority requirements.
• Identify and mitigate potential guaranty repairor denial risks during underwriting.
• Work closely with internal audit, qualitycontrol, compliance, and loan operations teams to ensure adherence toregulatory standards.
• Assist with responses to SBA, USDA, internalaudit, and regulatory examination findings as needed.

Leadership& Collaboration

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor tojunior underwriters, analysts, lenders, and support staff.
• Promote consistency in underwriting standards andcredit culture across the organization.
• Partner closely with business developmentofficers, closers, portfolio managers, and loan operations staff to ensureefficient loan flow and exceptional customer experience.
• Assist in developing underwriting procedures,templates, workflows, and departmental best practices.
• Participate in training initiatives related toSBA and USDA lending programs.

Qualifications

Education& Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting,Business, Economics, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of commercial creditunderwriting experience required.
• Minimum 5 years of direct SBA underwritingexperience required.
• USDA B&I underwriting experience stronglypreferred.
• Experience within a high-volume SBA lendingplatform preferred.
• Prior experience with PLP lending stronglypreferred.

Technical Knowledge Requirements

• SBA SOP 50 10 andrelated procedural notices
• SBA 7(a), Express,CAPLines, and construction lending
• USDA Business & Industry (B&I) lending
• Commercial cash flowanalysis and global cash flow
• CRE and businessacquisition underwriting
• Construction lendinganalysis
• Environmental andappraisal requirements
• SBA eligibility andaffiliation rules
• Collateral valuationmethodologies
• Loan structuring andrisk assessment
• Regulatory andcompliance expectations

Skills& Competencies

• Exceptional analytical and credit underwritingskills.
• Strong written and verbal communicationabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions undertight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and attention todetail.
• Ability to operate independently with minimalsupervision.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solvingcapabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced,production-driven environment.
• High level of professionalism, accountability,and integrity.

PreferredSystems Experience

• SBA E-Tran
• CAFS
• Abrigo / Sageworks / Moody’s
• Microsoft Excel and Word

PerformanceExpectations

• Maintain high levels of underwriting accuracy andcompliance.
• Deliver timely credit decisions consistent withservice-level expectations.
• Support portfolio growth while maintaining strongcredit quality.
• Contribute to the bank’s strategic growth withinSBA and USDA lending platforms.
• Uphold the institution's credit culture and reputation as a top-tier government guaranteed lender.