SBA Underwriter

The SBA Underwriter is responsible for analyzing, structuring, and underwriting SBA loan requests while ensuring credit quality, consistency, compliance, and sound risk management. This role serves as a subject matter expert in SBA eligibility, credit analysis, risk assessment, and loan structuring, and is responsible for developing well-supported credit recommendations for designated credit approvers and loan committees.

The SBA Underwriter partners closely with Business Development Officers, Credit Administration, Closing, Servicing, and other internal stakeholders to support profitable portfolio growth while maintaining exceptional credit quality, regulatory compliance, and SBA guaranty integrity.

Key Responsibilities

SBA Loan Underwriting & Production

• Independently underwrite and manage a pipeline of SBA loan opportunities.
• Structure transactions in accordance with SBA SOP, bank policy, and sound credit principles.
• Prepare thorough and well-supported credit memorandums and approval recommendations.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, collateral, management experience, industry conditions, and repayment capacity.
• Maintain established quality, accuracy, and turnaround expectations.
• Partner directly with lending teams to structure transactions and identify credit solutions that meet customer needs while maintaining appropriate risk standards.

Credit Analysis & Recommendation

• Analyze SBA loan requests and develop well-supported credit recommendations based on sound underwriting principles.
• Prepare comprehensive credit memorandums that clearly identify strengths, weaknesses, risks, mitigating factors, and recommended loan structure.
• Present recommendations for approval, decline, or alternative structure to designated credit approvers and loan committees.
• Evaluate policy exceptions and recommend appropriate mitigants, conditions, or alternatives.
• Ensure recommendations appropriately balance growth objectives with prudent risk management.
• Apply consistent underwriting standards and sound credit judgment across all assigned transactions.

SBA Credit Analysis & Risk Assessment

• Underwrite transactions across SBA lending programs.
• Perform detailed credit analysis focused on repayment ability, collateral support, management strength, industry risk, and overall borrower creditworthiness.
• Ensure adherence to SBA SOP, internal credit policy, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain expertise in SBA lending programs, credit policy, and eligibility requirements.
• Identify potential credit weaknesses and develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Review and assess complex ownership structures, affiliate relationships, and guarantor support requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation and analysis of SBA eligibility and compliance requirements.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Partner with Business Development Officers, Closing, Servicing, and Credit Administration to facilitate efficient loan processing and approval.
• Provide guidance regarding loan structure, SBA requirements, and credit considerations.
• Support implementation of underwriting best practices and process improvements.
• Assist in maintaining underwriting consistency, documentation quality, and operational efficiency.
• Contribute to the effective use and optimization of underwriting systems and workflow tools.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 3+ years of SBA underwriting and commercial credit experience.
• Strong knowledge of SBA SOP, SBA lending programs, and eligibility requirements.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and presenting SBA credit recommendations to designated credit approvers and loan committees.
• Advanced experience analyzing business financial statements, tax returns, global cash flow, and complex credit structures.
• Experience underwriting SBA 7(a), Express, 504, and USDA-related transactions.
• Experience presenting and defending credit recommendations to loan committees and senior credit officers preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced SBA credit and underwriting expertise.
• Strong credit analysis and recommendation skills.
• Sound judgment and risk assessment capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written credit presentation skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to credit quality.
• Proficiency in financial analysis, loan structuring, and risk assessment.

Success Metrics

• Underwriting turnaround times.
• Quality and consistency of credit recommendations.
• SBA compliance and guaranty preservation results.
• Accuracy and completeness of credit analyses and underwriting memorandums.
• Portfolio credit quality.
• Production volume and quality benchmarks.
• Internal partner satisfaction and responsiveness.