Underwriting Principal

GENERAL FUNCTION: 

Work closely and effectively with Relationship Managers and Credit partners throughout the underwriting, credit approval, documentation and closing and funding processes. Responsible for identifying, assessing and communicating credit risks; performing detailed due diligence and financial analysis; and supporting sound underwriting decisions within established policies and risk appetite, with escalation of complex, sensitive or policy-exception transactions as required.  Establishes strong collaborative routines with key internal partners and contributes to underwriting consistency, risk discipline, and talent development across the organization. 

Responsible and accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and personally following policies and procedures as defined. Accountable for always doing the right thing for customers and colleagues and ensures that actions and behaviors drive a positive customer experience. While operating within the Bank’s risk appetite, achieves results by consistently identifying, assessing, managing, monitoring, and reporting risks of all types. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Partner with Relationship Managers on initial transaction assessment, financial analysis, and structuring, including preparation of opportunity memos. 

• Perform detailed due diligence on companies, industries, management teams, and other relevant internal and external information. 

• Act as an expert in financial projection modeling, including development, review, and assessment of base case and downside case projections and underlying assumptions. 

• Manage the underwriting, approval, and documentation process for new money transactions. 

• Provide a balanced credit view on borrower, industry, structural and execution risks within established credit policy and risk appetite. 

• Demonstrate strong client selection, credit agreement, and underwriting skills, including identification, evaluation and articulation of key risks and mitigants. 

• Engage and coordinate with external legal counsel and internal partners to support documentation preparation, negotiation and execution. 

• Coordinate closing, funding, and booking activities with the Funding Desk and Credit Collateral Operations. 

• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all internal and external post closing requirements. 

• Identify, assess, manage, and escalate credit risks in accordance with Bank policy, procedures and regulatory expectations. 

• Establish strong working partnerships and effective routines with internal stakeholders to support efficient execution and consistent credit outcomes. 

• Provide ongoing feedback, technical guidance, and coaching to junior team members. 

• May be required to develop industry expertise in one or more sectors and understand, monitor, and articulate key industry trends, risks and themes. 

• Support underwriting consistency, knowledge sharing, and best practice development within the underwriting function. 

• Perform special projects and other assignments as requested. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

May include the direct or indirect supervision and direction of the day-to-day activities of Credit Solutions professionals. Responsible for providing employees with timely, candid, and constructive performance feedback. Develop employees to their fullest potential and provide challenging opportunities that enhance employee career growth. Develop the appropriate talent pool to ensure adequate bench strength and succession planning. Recognize and reward employees for accomplishments. 

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; CFA or MBA a plus. 

• 7+ years of experience in commercial underwriting. 

• Deep expertise in financial analysis, projection modeling, credit structuring, documentation, and due diligence execution. 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong working knowledge of Word, Outlook, and related applications. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate a credit view, key assumptions, and risk considerations. 

• Highly organized, detail oriented, and capable of managing multiple transactions and timelines concurrently.