Accounting, Analysis Skills, Appraisal Review, Banking Services, Best Practices, Business Analysis, Business Development, Business Loans, Business Skills, Cash Flow Projection, Commercial Loans, Communication Skills, Construction, Customer Experience, Customer Support/Service, Detail Oriented, Economics, Finance, Financial Analysis, Government, Government Requirements, Industry/Trade Analysis, Insurance, Internal Audit, Investment Management, Leadership, Liquidity, Loan Approval, Loan Operations, Loan Policy, Loan Structuring, Loans, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Mergers and Acquisitions, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Procedural Programming Languages, Procedure Development, Production Systems, Quality Control, Quality Management, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Risk Analysis, Small Business, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Tax Returns, Team Player, Time Management, Transaction Processing/Management, Underwriting, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Writing Skills
The Senior SBA & USDA Underwriter is responsible for the independent underwriting, structuring, analysis, and recommendation of complex government guaranteed commercial loan requests in accordance with SBA SOP requirements, USDA guidelines, bank credit policy, and prudent commercial lending practices.
This position plays a critical role in maintaining credit quality, regulatory compliance, portfolio performance, and operational efficiency within a high-performing Government Guaranteed Lending (“GGL”) platform. The ideal candidate possesses advanced technical expertise in SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, and related government guaranteed lending programs, while also demonstrating strong business judgment, communication skills, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment consistent with one of the nation’s top SBA lenders.
The Senior Underwriter 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 ideal candidate combines elite-level government guaranteed lending expertise with strong business acumen, sound credit judgment, operational discipline, and a collaborative leadership style. This individual thrives in a high-performance lending environment focused on growth, compliance, credit quality, and exceptional client service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned.)
Credit Underwriting & Analysis
- Independently underwrite complex SBA 7(a), SBA Express, USDA B&I, and related government guaranteed loan requests.
- Analyze borrower financial statements, tax returns, projections, global cash flow, debt service capacity, collateral coverage, liquidity, guarantor support, and repayment ability.
- Assess business risk, industry trends, management strength, succession considerations, and operational viability.
- Structure transactions in accordance with SBA SOP, USDA program requirements, bank credit policy, and safe and sound banking practices.
- Perform detailed collateral analysis including real estate, business assets, special purpose collateral, and construction lending scenarios.
- Evaluate equity injection requirements, source and seasoning of funds, and eligibility of contributed assets.
- Analyze franchise eligibility, affiliation, size standards, ownership structures, and organizational documentation.
- Review environmental, appraisal, insurance, and legal requirements associated with government guaranteed lending.
- Prepare comprehensive written credit memorandums and recommendation packages for approval authorities and loan committees.
- Present and defend loan recommendations to senior management and credit committees when necessary.
Government Guaranteed Program Compliance
- Maintain expert-level knowledge of current SBA SOPs, USDA regulations, policy notices, procedural updates, and program changes.
- Ensure all loans meet SBA and USDA eligibility, underwriting, documentation, and compliance requirements.
- Assist in maintaining the bank’s Preferred Lender Program (“PLP”) standards and USDA lending authority requirements.
- Identify and mitigate potential guaranty repair or denial risks during underwriting.
- Work closely with internal audit, quality control, compliance, and loan operations teams to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.
- Assist with responses to SBA, USDA, internal audit, and regulatory examination findings as needed.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as a technical resource and mentor to junior underwriters, analysts, lenders, and support staff.
- Promote consistency in underwriting standards and credit culture across the organization.
- Partner closely with business development officers, closers, portfolio managers, and loan operations staff to ensure efficient loan flow and exceptional customer experience.
- Assist in developing underwriting procedures, templates, workflows, and departmental best practices.
- Participate in training initiatives related to SBA and USDA lending programs.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field preferred.
- Minimum 7–10 years of commercial credit underwriting experience required.
- Minimum 5 years of direct SBA underwriting experience required.
- USDA B&I underwriting experience strongly preferred.
- Experience within a high-volume SBA lending platform preferred.
- Prior experience with PLP lending strongly preferred.
Technical Knowledge Requirements
Advanced knowledge of:
· SBA SOP 50 10 and related procedural notices
· SBA 7(a), Express, CAPLines, and construction lending
· USDA Business & Industry (B&I) lending
· Commercial cash flow analysis and global cash flow
· CRE and business acquisition underwriting
· Construction lending analysis
· Environmental and appraisal requirements
· SBA eligibility and affiliation rules
· Collateral valuation methodologies
· Loan structuring and risk assessment
· Regulatory and compliance expectations
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional analytical and credit underwriting skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple transactions under tight deadlines.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.
- High level of professionalism, accountability, and integrity.
Preferred Systems Experience
- SBA E-Tran
- CAFS
- Abrigo / Sageworks / Moody’s
- Microsoft Excel and Word
Performance Expectations
- Maintain high levels of underwriting accuracy and compliance.
- Deliver timely credit decisions consistent with service-level expectations.
- Support portfolio growth while maintaining strong credit quality.
- Contribute to the bank’s strategic growth within SBA and USDA lending platforms.
- Uphold the institution's credit culture and reputation as a top-tier government guaranteed lender.
F
FIRST COMMUNITY BANK (SC)
1st Community Bank opened its doors in Alice on February 7, 1983 under the name of First National Bank. In 1990, the Bank purchased La Hacienda Savings and Loan which had two branches, one in San Antonio and one in Corpus Christi. The San Antonio office was closed and the Corpus Christi office remained open under the name of First National Bank. In February 1990, the Bank was re-named 1st Community Bank, N.A. In 1995 a branch in Benavides, Texas was opened. Our Mortgage Division opened in 1996 and then yet another branch, which is located on Water Street in Downtown Corpus Christi, was added in 1998. 1st Community opened its 5th location in Kingsville in June 2000. In April of 2004, the decision was made to close the bank in Benavides and in June of 2004 a new bank was opened in Portland. The Alameda branch, the 7th location, was opened March 2007. The Island branch, the 8th location, was opened February 2008. In March 2014 the bank expanded into the Victoria, TX market. The Bank has seen continuous growth over the years, starting out at $32 million in assets in 1993 up to current $346 million today. The driving force behind 1st Community Bank’s success is the pride it takes in its employees. In November 1999 the Bank adopted an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which means that the employees are actually buying stock in the Bank. With 78% eligible employee participation in the ESOP, customers can bank on the fact that the employees, who are now owners, will go that extra mile and that our customer’s needs are our 1st concern. Employee ownership is the driving force behind exceptional customer service and loyalty. We believe employee owned and operated is what sets us apart from the rest and gives a cutting edge in the banking industry. In June 2002, we converted from a National Bank to a State Charter. We have found that the Texas Department of Banking is uniquely designed to support our type of bank and our customers. Our motto is and will remain to be... We Make Banking Easy!