Senior SBA 7(a) Underwriter
Position Overview Are you an experienced credit professional looking to evaluate high-impact commercial transactions, influence credit decisions, and work in a collaborative, tech-forward lending environment? Do you value rigorous credit analysis, pragmatic deal structuring, and a clear path to execution?
We are seeking a Senior SBA 7(a) Underwriter to analyze, structure, and decision complex commercial credit requests within the flagship SBA 7(a) program. Operating in a flexible hybrid arrangement, this key underwriter performs comprehensive financial statement spreading, cash flow modeling, collateral evaluation, and risk mitigation in strict compliance with current SBA SOP guidelines and internal credit policy. Working hand-in-glove with Business Development Officers (BDOs), Credit Committee members, and Loan Closers, you will play an essential role in driving deal momentum and maintaining portfolio quality.
Organization Overview Our organization is a nationwide direct Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) dedicated to fueling American entrepreneurship through specialized SBA government-guaranteed financing. Focusing primarily on the flagship SBA 7(a) loan program, we streamline capital deployment for commercial real estate acquisitions, business expansions, equipment purchases, and partner buyouts. We pair the nimbleness and technology of a non-bank financial institution with strict credit adherence to SBA standards, creating a high-energy, collaborative team environment where underwriters have direct access to executive leadership.
What You'll Be Working On
- Credit Evaluation & Spreading: Analyzing commercial credit applications, business and personal tax returns, interim financials, and debt schedules to evaluate global cash flow, historical/projected DSCR, leverage, and guarantor financial capacity.
- SBA Eligibility & Structuring: Conducting rigorous eligibility assessments under SBA guidelines (size standards, use of proceeds, affiliation rules, equity injection, character, and credit-elsewhere criteria) to structure viable multi-tiered 7(a) debt facilities.
- Credit Memorandums: Authoring comprehensive, narrative Credit Approval Memorandums (CAMs) detailing industry benchmarking, business performance, management strength, key risks, and mitigants.
- Credit Committee Presentations: Presenting complex credit packages to Senior Credit Officers and the Credit Committee, defending deal structure and credit rationale.
- Third-Party Due Diligence: Ordering and reviewing commercial real estate appraisals, environmental site assessments (Phase I / ESA), business valuations, and equipment appraisals for SOP compliance.
- Underwriter-to-Closer Synergy: Partnering closely with closing specialists to draft enforceable commitment letters, define specific closing conditions, and address structural modifications prior to loan funding.
- Pipeline Management: Managing an active pipeline of multi-million-dollar credit files simultaneously, balancing analytical diligence with rapid turnaround times.
Qualifications
- Experience: 4+ years of dedicated commercial credit underwriting experience, including at least 2–3 years focused primarily on SBA 7(a) loans at an SBLC, commercial bank, or preferred SBA lender (PLP).
- Regulatory & SOP Expertise: Strong, up-to-date working knowledge of SBA SOP 50 10, SBA eligibility mandates, PLP delegated authority rules, and commercial lending compliance.
- Financial Acumen: Advanced competency in spreading complex tax returns (1120, 1120S, 1065, Schedule C) and personal financial statements (1040s, PFS); deep expertise in global cash flow modeling, quality of earnings/add-backs, and working capital cycles.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or formal commercial credit training equivalent.
- Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with modern Loan Origination Systems (LOS), spreading platforms (Moody's, Baker Hill, or equivalent), SBA E-Tran/CAFS, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Core Competencies: Pragmatic risk assessment, clear executive communication, and high-urgency pipeline execution.
What's In It For You
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid work model (2–3 days in-office / remote flexibility) designed to foster teamwork while supporting work-life balance.
- Competitive Compensation: Attractive base salary commensurate with experience plus annual performance incentives.
- Direct Access & Impact: High-visibility role collaborating directly with Credit Administration, executive leadership, and originations.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Full suite of medical, dental, and vision health coverage.
- Retirement Planning: Company-sponsored 401(k) plan.
- Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays.