OverviewThe Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Underwriter is responsible for the ongoing monitoring, administration, and credit quality of an assigned portfolio of commercial relationships. The role serves as the central coordinator of portfolio management activities, overseeing review workflows, monitoring requirements, and risk management efforts while reviewing analyst recommendations and approving designated credit actions within delegated authority including asset quality ratings (AQR). The Underwriter partners with Relationship Managers and other stakeholders to identify emerging risks, ensure compliance with bank policy, and support prudent portfolio growth.
Salary Range
The salary range for this position is $61,200/yr - $123,700/yr plus bonus. The base salary indicated for this position reflects the compensation range applicable to all levels of the role across the United States. Actual salary offers within this range may vary based on a number of factors, including the specific responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s relevant skills and professional experience, educational qualifications, and geographic location.
Primary Responsibilities
Credit Risk Management & Decisioning
- Review and evaluate analyst-prepared financial analyses, annual reviews, covenant compliance assessments, and credit recommendations.
- Exercise independent credit judgment when approving risk ratings, annual reviews, portfolio management actions, and other credit decisions within authority limits.
- Escalate higher-risk transactions, policy exceptions, and complex credit matters as appropriate.
- Identify developing credit concerns and recommend corrective actions, risk mitigation strategies, or escalation when warranted.
- Maintain a thorough understanding of borrowers' financial performance, industry conditions, and evolving risk profiles.
Portfolio Monitoring & Administration
- Perform ongoing monitoring of assigned relationships to identify emerging credit risks and changes in borrower performance.
- Monitor financial reporting requirements, covenant compliance, borrowing base reporting, collateral performance, and other ongoing credit obligations.
- Proactively manage exceptions, past-due reviews, documentation deficiencies, and other portfolio management requirements.
- Monitor portfolio trends and risk migration to ensure appropriate risk identification and reporting.
- Prepare Special Asset Reports (SARs) on a quarterly basis.
- Monitor payment delinquency within the portfolio.
Analyst Oversight & Workflow Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact between analyst resources and internal stakeholders.
- Assign, prioritize, and oversee analyst workflow to ensure timely completion of portfolio management activities.
- Review analyst work product for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and adherence to bank standards.
- Provide coaching and guidance related to financial analysis, credit risk assessment, and portfolio management expectations.
- Facilitate effective communication among analysts, Relationship Managers, and Credit Officers to ensure alignment and timely resolution of issues.
Relationship & Internal Partnership
- Partner with Relationship Managers to support client retention, growth initiatives, and ongoing relationship management activities.
- Provide guidance regarding credit policy, risk management practices, and portfolio administration requirements.
- Collaborate with Credit Administration, Loan Operations, and other internal partners to ensure efficient portfolio management and issue resolution.
- Serve as a trusted resource on assigned relationships and portfolio-related matters.
Compliance, Audit & Reporting
- Ensure portfolio activities comply with bank policies, regulatory requirements, and established credit standards.
- Support internal audits, loan reviews, and regulatory examinations.
- Prepare and review portfolio reporting, risk assessments, and other management information as required.
- Contribute to process improvements designed to enhance portfolio quality, risk management effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.
- 5+ years of commercial credit, underwriting, portfolio management, or lending experience.
- Strong financial statement analysis and credit risk evaluation skills.
- Working knowledge of commercial lending structures, documentation, and regulatory expectations.
- Ability to make sound risk-based decisions and exercise independent credit judgment.
- Strong organizational, communication, and relationship management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines within a dynamic environment.
