Sr. Commercial Real Estate Underwriter

Northwest Bank; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Fridays may be worked from home

Job summary

Northwest Bank is seeking a Sr. Commercial Real Estate Underwriter in the NY region to perform credit analysis and underwriting for new money requests and portfolio management support. The role emphasizes thorough financial statement review, risk assessment, and collaboration with commercial lending teams.

The position is onsite Monday through Thursday with Fridays available as a work-from-home option. A bachelor's degree and 3–5 years of relevant credit experience are required, with formal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related discipline required.
• 3–5 years in commercial lending or credit administration.
• Formal credit training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare timely credit analysis and recommendations evaluating credit actions.
• Assess credits and finalize Opportunity Memos for OM calls.
• Analyze financial statements, industry risk, loan structure and market conditions for repayment ability.
• Use financial spreading software to evaluate cash flow and repayment sources.
• Prepare narrative credit memos for new money, renewals and modifications.
• Ensure compliance with credit policy and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with lending and credit administration teams on calls.
• Maintain data integrity in underwriting platform.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial statement analysis

Underwriting

Risk assessment

Attention to detail

Documentation and reporting

Communication skills

Teamwork

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, management, accounting, or finance

Formal credit training

Tools

Financial spreading software

Microsoft Office

Job description

NY0705 NY Region Business Office, OH0523 Independence Bus Office

Job Description

The Sr. Commercial Real Estate Underwriter is responsible for performing financial statement spreading, underwriting and credit analysis to support commercial lending and commercial loan portfolio management activities. The Sr. Commercial Real Estate Underwriter will be focused on completing credit memos representing new money requests to new and existing Borrowers. The Sr. Commercial Real Estate Underwriter may also support the Portfolio Management team by completing annual reviews, renewals, change memos and modifications.

Essential Functions

• Prepare timely, high quality credit analysis and recommendations that accurately and thoroughly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses associated with credit actions.
• Engage in the Opportunity Memo process, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of credits and finalizing Opportunity Memos for presentation. Actively participate on OM calls.
• Effectively analyze financial statements and related data, industry risk, loan structure and market conditions to assess the overall creditworthiness and repayment ability of borrowers.
• Utilize financial spreading software as well as other financial analysis tools to evaluate borrower's cash flow and determine adequacy of the borrower's primary and secondary repayment sources.
• Conduct underwriting, identify credit risks, analyze repayment capacity and prepare collateral coverage and present in a narrative format within credit memos or modifications to support requests for new money, renewals, annual reviews and modifications.
• Work within the guidance of the credit approval team to recommend appropriate credit structuring, documentation, and risk controls on credit requests.
• Assist in determining the appropriate level of underwriting and due diligence for the credit's risk profile
• Complete underwriting tasks within expected service level and turnaround times.
• Participate in business calls with commercial lending and credit administration teams.
• Maintain a working knowledge of macroeconomic issues in local markets and regional industries
• Maintain data integrity with the underwriting platform to ensure accurate record of credit relationships.
• Responsible for all compliance and audit-related matters in area of responsibility
• Remain current on all banking rules and regulations relating to Credit Administration, Commercial Lending and Appraisals
• Identify policy exceptions for credit requests consistent with the Bank's Commercial Credit Policy.
• Monitor, develop, and suggest revisions to workflows and procedures as necessary to enhance efficiency and minimize expenses
• Identify potential for credit losses and mitigate risk appropriately
• Utilize risk rating models to accurately determine risk ratings for credit requests.
• Prioritize assignments with guidance from the Commercial Credit Managers.
• Evaluate the financial condition of guarantors through the effective analysis of personal financial statements and personal tax returns.
• Perform loan covenant testing calculations and update covenant compliance records
• Complete education, as identified or assigned, provides expertise in loan underwriting, loan structuring, and overall professional development.
• Develop business writing and professional communication skills.
• Review loan documentation to confirm accuracy.
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Serve, when requested, on special teams and projects
• Provide educational training and support for new analysts
• Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, management, accounting, finance or other related discipline
• 3 - 5 years relevant commercial lending or credit administration experience, specifically related to C&I lending
• Formal credit training a plus

The pay range for this position is generally $61,500 to $110,000 annually plus bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the successful candidate's experience, skills, and knowledge.

This position is onsite Monday - Thursday. Fridays are an optional work from home day.

Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.