Sr. Commercial Underwriter

Liberty Bank - CT; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Liberty Bank is seeking a Senior Commercial Underwriter in Hartford, CT to lead end-to-end underwriting for large, high-exposure loans across Commercial Real Estate, Community Banking, or Resort Finance. You will translate financial data into sound credit decisions, mentor junior staff, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

You will oversee high-value portfolios, develop insights into market trends, and collaborate with Relationship Managers and appraisers to secure favorable terms

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of commercial underwriting experience.
• Expert-level financial analysis and risk assessment capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to structure complex credit facilities and negotiate terms.
• Strong influencing skills and ability to partner with senior lenders.
• Recognized subject matter expertise in credit risk management.
• Proven track record of coaching and developing credit underwriting staff.
• Deep understanding of credit policy and regulatory considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-level narrative summaries and complex financial statement analyses for large Commercial Banking and Real Estate loan applicants.
• Formulate well-reasoned conclusions on sophisticated loan structures and covenants with minimal supervision.
• Oversee annual reviews and ongoing management of high-risk or high-value portfolios.
• Conduct deep-dive research into niche industries and emerging market trends as a SME.
• Review and guide complex borrower requests and provide mentorship to junior staff and Relationship Managers.
• Approve major payment and construction advance requests; assist in servicing company audits.
• Interact with customers, appraisers, and brokers to obtain financial data and market information.
• Assist in training PDPs and underwriters to ensure accurate presentation of data.
• Monitor regulatory changes to maintain compliance with BSA, OFAC, and PATRIOT Act.
• Drive improvements in underwriting standards to optimize investment criteria and workflow.

Skills

Experience in underwriting

Financial analysis

Credit risk assessment

Credit facilities structuring

Negotiation

Senior lender partnering

Credit policy knowledge

Staff coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance/Accounting/Business

Job description

At Liberty, we strive to maximize our impact and exceed goals by investing in our teammates to deepen our relationships in the workplace and communities we serve. We take pride in promoting a socially responsible and sustainable future through initiatives and investment.

Summary Of The Job

Reporting to the Manager of Commercial Credit Underwriting, the Senior Commercial Underwriter is a critical individual contributor responsible for the end-to-end credit and underwriting function. This role requires complete proficiency in market, industry, and risk analysis for either Commercial Real Estate, Community Banking, or Resort Finance. As a senior member of the team, you will not only manage a complex high-value loan portfolio with minimal supervision but also actively expand your expertise into secondary business lines. You will serve as a technical subject matter expert, translating financial data into sound credit decisions that align with the Bank’s risk appetite and regulatory standards.

Essential Functions

• Lead the preparation of high-level narrative summaries and complex financial statement analyses for the bank’s most intricate or high-exposure Commercial Banking and Real Estate loan applicants.
• Formulate well-reasoned conclusions on sophisticated loan structures and appropriate covenants for large-scale applications, arriving at decisions with minimal supervision.
• Serve as the primary authority for the annual review and ongoing management of high-risk or high-value portfolios, ensuring risk ratings align with shifting market conditions without requiring routine oversight.
• Conduct deep-dive investigative research into niche industries and emerging market trends, serving as a subject matter expert for the department.
• Review and recommend actions for the most complex borrower requests in the existing portfolio, providing technical guidance to junior staff and Relationship Managers.
• Review and approve major payment and construction advance requests and assists when needed in audit reviews of servicing companies and borrower records.
• Interacts with customers, correspondents, appraisers and real estate brokers to obtain financial property and marketing information as needed.
• Assist in the training and development of PDPs and underwriters, setting the standard for proper presentation of financial data and ensuring technical proficiency across the team.
• Proactively monitor and interpret changes in Federal and State regulations, ensuring that departmental procedures are updated to maintain total compliance with BSA, OFAC, and the PATRIOT Act.
• Drive the improvement of underwriting and processing standards to optimize the Bank’s investment criteria and workflow efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Knowledge/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business, or related field preferred
• 7–10+ years of commercial underwriting experience
• Extensive experience underwriting large, high risk, or specialized credit transactions
• Expert-level financial analysis and risk assessment capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to structure complex credit facilities and negotiate terms
• Strong influencing skills and ability to partner effectively with senior lenders
• Recognized subject matter expertise in credit risk management
• Proven track record of coaching and developing credit underwriting staff
• Deep understanding of credit policy and regulatory considerations

Physical Requirements

• General Office Equipment
• Keyboard Dexterity
• Prolonged Sitting
• Ability to travel for training or site visits

Compliance

Acts affirmatively in all activities under his/her control in conformance with the Bank’s Affidturnative, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Fair Lending Programs to achieve the Bank’s goals and objectives. The Bank shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons, and continue to recruit, hire, train and evaluate persons in all jobs without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or veteran status.
Liberty Bank is an Equal Opportunity employer. It is the policy of Liberty Bank to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.