SBA UNDERWRITER / ELIGIBILITY OFFICER

The SBA Underwriter/Eligibility Officer role supports the Business Banking and Commercial lines of business. This position functions as a credit resource who engages in eligibility determination, recommends appropriate loan structures, analyzes financials/projections and underwrites facility for a wide range of business credits while maintaining appropriate service level agreement. This position may coach and mentor junior credit analysts and underwrites more complex credits.

The ideal candidate will help us grow the line of business through thoughtful efficiency recommendations and will become a trusted resource for the SBA sales team.

Essential Functions
* Efficiently and thoroughly determine the credit worthiness of new SBA loan requests and risk ratings for annual reviews
* SBA loan decision authority under the Dual Loan Approval Authority matrix structure
* Disseminate Northwest's and SBA credit risk appetite to lenders and team partners in their assigned regions
* Engage in monitoring of all SBA credit-related portfolio trends, and banking rules and regulations applicable to SBA loan portfolio
* Review and approve of SBA credit requests, annual reviews and portfolio monitoring/management up to designated joint lending authority
* Determine the appropriate level of credit underwriting and due diligence to appropriately characterize the risk profile of each credit
* Identify credit strengths, weaknesses, and mitigating factors
* Engage in pre-flight reviews of credits
* Determine eligibility requirements based on SBA SOP
* Meet or exceed established service level expectations
* Review term sheets and commitment letters prior to issuance to customers
* Prepare and present updates as needed to senior leadership
* Support the Bank in developing understanding of SBA eligibility and processes within the organization
* Support training across organization as needs arise
* Ensure complete data integrity in origination and annual review process and ensuring that loan requests are accurately and completely presented
* Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
* Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
* Work as part of a team
* Work with on-site equipment
* Complete special projects as requested by management
* Monitor, develop, and suggest revisions to workflows and procedures as necessary to enhance efficiency and minimize expenses
* Identify potential for credit losses and mitigating risk accordingly including transfer of individual credits to Special Assets

Safety and Health
* Provide leadership and positive direction for maintaining the safety and loss prevention program
* Actively participate in and support employee participation in the safety and loss prevention program by ensuring that employees know how to properly report a safety issue, making sure that all accidents are promptly reported to Human Resources and documented, and ensuring that prompt action is taken whenever workplace hazards are identified
* Help implement emergency procedures

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's Degree Accounting or Finance related degree preferred

Work Experience

5 - 6 years Experience in SBA lending or credit administration including credit analysis, portfolio management, loan review and/or special assets with a focus on SBA preferred and
-Experience and knowledgeable with SBA
-Experience and knowledgeable with USDA programs
-Experience as a Commercial Loan Officer

General Supervisory/Manager Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working proficiency in:
* Ability to identify existing and potential problems, obtain and evaluate relevant information, identify possible causes of the problems, and suggest an alternative course of action including innovative or creative approaches
* Ability to allocate and effectively use information, personnel, time, and other resources necessary for implementation of Northwest's strategic plans
* Ability to make decisions, render judgments, and take action on tasks within the scope of given authority in a timely fashion
* Ability to develop, evaluate, and implement alternative courses of action, based on correct assumptions concerning resources and guidelines, and support decisions or recommendations with data or reasoning
* Ability to present and express ideas and information effectively and concisely in an oral and/or written mode in a manner appropriate for the audience
* Ability to listen and comprehend what others are saying and facilitate the open exchange of ideas and information
* Ability to motivate and provide direction in the activities of others, appropriately assigning work and authority, in the accomplishment of goals; providing advice and assistance as required
* Ability to understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies; maintain credibility with others on specialty matters

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

-Knowledge of all banking regulations related to credit administration including the analysis of loan/lease losses, troubled debt restructures, accrual rules and risk rating concepts Working
-Knowledge of SBA eligibility, underwriting guidelines, deal structuring and compliance with SBA SOP Working
-Knowledge of macro-economic issues affecting regions across the bank footprint Working

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