Position Summary

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.

Qualifications

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.

FIRST COMMUNITY BANK (SC) is an EEO Employer - M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status View all jobs at this company