Small Business Underwriter

Credit Union West has been named a ‘Top Company to Work for in Arizona’ for the 12th year in a row )! This prestigious award announced by Best Companies

AZ is earned by achieving stellar marks in a comprehensive workplace survey, where employees are asked to rate and share feedback including culture, leadership and overall satisfaction.

Credit Union West continuously looks for ways to improve employee satisfaction and experience. In addition to high paying wages, Credit Union West also offers the following:

• Full-time employees receive 100% paid health, dental & vision insurance
• Earn incentives up to 15%, depending on position
• 401K plan with employer matching funds up to 5%
• Profit Sharing
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership reimbursement
• Paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick days
• Credit Union West membership and discounts

Be part of our award-winning team!

Enhances the quality of life for our business members by meeting or exceeding their service expectations, by providing high quality service, defined as ensuring prompt and accurate transactions, while building member trust and loyalty, delivered in a professional member-friendly environment. The Small Business Underwriter supports the Credit Union’s small business lending strategy by ensuring sound, risk-based credit decisions aligned with policy and regulatory standards.

This role primarily reviews and validates automated underwriting decisions generated through the Credit Union’s small business origination platform and intervenes in exception or non-auto decision scenarios. The underwriter evaluates business cash flow trends using deposit activity, business and personal credit bureau data, scoring outputs, and collateral position to assess creditworthiness. Review of business and/or personal tax returns is not routinely required as part of the underwriting process;

however, tax returns may be requested when necessary to support exception analysis or complex credit scenarios.

• Underwriting – Maintains and utilizes knowledge of the small business lending process: underwriting, credit analysis, and accounting entries. Understands and can effectively apply small business lending policies to all small business lending situations. Actively promotes a Risk Based Lending environment by demonstrating application development and solid underwriting knowledge. Makes appropriate risk-based credit underwriting decisions. Review and analyze income from both personal and business tax returns.

Communicate decisions on loans to appropriate parties both verbally and in writing. Verifies and analyzes applicant financial status, and credit worthiness to determine feasibility of granting modification. Preparation of credit information necessary for a decision, including such factors as applicant’s assets, credit experience, and explanations.

• Credit Analysis & Risk Assessment - Review and validate automated underwriting decisions. Analyze business cash flow using deposit activity and system analytics. Review business and personal credit reports and risk scores. Evaluate global debt service capacity when applicable. Assess collateral adequacy for secured transactions. Document clear and concise credit decisions.

• Loan Structuring & Documentation - Ensure proper loan structure including term, collateral, and guarantees. Confirm underwriting conditions are satisfied prior to closing. Ensure documentation complies with policy and regulations. Coordinate with Loan Originators and Operations for funding.

• Communication – Consult necessary departments or third-party vendors to ensure that all underwriting conditions are met prior to closing the loan. Work with Loan Originators to review and verify all application information is correct.

• Quality Control - Maintains awareness of changes in the credit granting field, including government regulations, technological advancements in computerized credit granting and processing, business needs and preferences, and related. Assures that all loan requests are properly priced and structured. Makes recommendations to Loan Originators and VP of Business Services if adjustments are required. Maintains loan documents in compliance with policy and state and federal regulations.

Corresponds with or interviews applicant or creditors to resolve questions regarding modification information. Notifies member if loan is delayed because of underwriting ratios or credit ratings.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

Equivalent to a two-year college degree or completion of a specialized course of study at an accredited educational facility preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of 4-8 years of experience in small business loan processing requirements, procedures, and small business underwriting criteria, preferably in a Credit Union or financial institution.