Underwriting Principal

Fifth Third; New York (NY); On-site; USD 97,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Third in New York, NY seeks an Underwriting Principal to lead complex commercial transactions, assess risk, and guide structuring through to funding. You will partner with Relationship Managers and Credit partners, perform due diligence, and provide expert financial projections and risk insights.

You will mentor junior staff, ensure underwriting consistency, and participate in special projects while contributing to sound credit decisions and strong client outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; CFA or MBA a plus.
• 7+ years of experience in commercial underwriting.
• Deep expertise in financial analysis, projection modeling, credit structuring, documentation and due diligence execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook and related apps.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to articulate credit view, assumptions and risks.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to manage multiple transactions and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Relationship Managers on initial transaction assessment, financial analysis, and structuring, including memo prep.
• Perform detailed due diligence on companies, industries, management teams and other information.
• Act as an expert in financial projection modeling, including base and downside case projections and assumptions.
• Manage underwriting, approval, and documentation for new money transactions.
• Provide a balanced credit view on borrower, industry, risks within policy and risk appetite.
• Demonstrate strong client selection, credit agreement and underwriting skills, with mitigants.
• Engage with external counsel and internal partners for documentation, negotiation and execution.
• Coordinate closing, funding, and booking activities with Funding Desk and Credit Collateral Ops.
• Ensure timely completion of post closing requirements.
• Identify, assess, manage, and elevate credit risks per policy and regulatory expectations.
• Establish partnerships with internal stakeholders to support efficient execution and consistent outcomes.
• Provide coaching to junior team members and develop industry expertise as needed.
• Support underwriting consistency, knowledge sharing, and best practices.
• Perform special projects and other assignments as requested.

Skills

Credit analysis

Financial modeling

Credit underwriting

Excel skills

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance or related

CFA or MBA a plus

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Word / Outlook

Job description

Make banking a Fifth Third better® We connect great people to great opportunities.

GENERAL FUNCTION

Work closely and effectively with Relationship Managers and Credit partners throughout the underwriting, credit approval, documentation and closing and funding processes. Responsible for identifying, assessing and communicating credit risks; performing detailed due diligence and financial analysis; and supporting sound underwriting decisions within established policies and risk appetite, with escalation of complex, sensitive or policy-exception transactions as required. Establishes strong collaborative routines with key internal partners and contributes to underwriting consistency, risk discipline, and talent development across the organization. Responsible and accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and personally following policies and procedures as defined. Accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues and ensures that actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Bank's risk appetite, achieves results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with Relationship Managers on initial transaction assessment, financial analysis, and structuring, including preparation of opportunity memos.
• Perform detailed due diligence on companies, industries, management teams, and other relevant internal and external information.
• Act as an expert in financial projection modeling, including development, review, and assessment of base case and downside case projections and underlying assumptions.
• Manage the underwriting, approval, and documentation process for new money transactions.
• Provide a balanced credit view on borrower, industry, structural and execution risks within established credit policy and risk appetite.
• Demonstrate strong client selection, credit agreement, and underwriting skills, including identification, evaluation and articulation of key risks and mitigants.
• Engage and coordinate with external legal counsel and internal partners to support documentation preparation, negotiation and execution.
• Coordinate closing, funding, and booking activities with the Funding Desk and Credit Collateral Operations.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all internal and external post closing requirements.
• Identify, assess, manage, and elevate credit risks in accordance with Bank policy, procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Establish strong working partnerships and effective routines with internal stakeholders to support efficient execution and consistent credit outcomes.
• Provide ongoing feedback, technical guidance, and coaching to junior team members.
• May be required to develop industry expertise in one or more sectors and understand, monitor, and articulate key industry trends, risks and themes.
• Support underwriting consistency, knowledge sharing, and best practice development within the underwriting function.
• Perform special projects and other assignments as requested.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• May include the direct or indirect supervision and direction of the day-to-day activities of Credit Solutions professionals.
• Responsible for providing employees with timely, candid, and constructive performance feedback.
• Develop employees to their fullest potential and provide challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth.
• Develop the appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning.
• Recognize and reward employees for accomplishments.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; CFA or MBA a plus.
• 7+ years of experience in commercial underwriting.
• Deep expertise in financial analysis, projection modeling, credit structuring, documentation, and due diligence execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, and related applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate a credit view, key assumptions, and risk considerations.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and capable of managing multiple transactions and timelines concurrently.

Underwriting Principal Total Base Pay Range 96,500.00 - 207,500.00 USD Annual

At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other.

Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.

The base salary for this position is reflective of the range of salary levels for all roles within this pay grade across the U.S. Individual salaries within this range will vary based on factors such as role, relevant skillset, relevant experience, education and geographic location.

In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with any such payment based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance.

Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being.

You can learn more about those programs on your 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner.

LOCATION -- New York, New York 10169

Attention search firms and staffing agencies: do not submit unsolicited resumes for this posting. Fifth Third does not accept resumes from any agency that does not have an active agreement with Fifth Third. Any unsolicited resumes - no matter how they are submitted - will be considered the property of Fifth Third and Fifth Third will not be responsible for any associated fee.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

We look forward to finding the right place for you.

Fifth Third is a bank that is as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we've been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation's highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.