Careers

Commercial & Agricultural Loan Underwriter

JOB TITLE: Commercial & Agricultural Loan Underwriter
DEPARTMENT: Lending/Compliance
REPORTS TO: Loan Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

The Commercial & Agricultural Loan Underwriter is responsible for analyzing and underwriting commercial and agricultural loan requests. This role evaluates borrower creditworthiness, financial performance, and collateral to ensure sound lending decisions that align with the credit union’s goals and risk management standards. The position requires strong skills in financial analysis, credit assessment, and portfolio management, as well as a solid understanding of both agricultural and commercial lending practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Evaluate and underwrite commercial and agricultural loan applications, assessing repayment capacity, collateral, and overall credit risk.
Conduct detailed financial analysis, including cash flow projections, ratio analysis, and debt service coverage calculations.
Review financial statements, tax returns, and operating reports to determine business and farm performance.
Identify and evaluate agricultural risks such as commodity price changes, yield variations, and land value trends.
Prepare clear, detailed credit memorandums and loan recommendations for presentation to the credit committee.
Work closely with loan officers and senior management to structure loans that balance member needs with credit union risk policies.
Stay current on regulatory requirements, economic conditions, and industry developments affecting commercial and agricultural lending.
Ensure full compliance with internal credit policies, underwriting standards, and applicable lending regulations.
Monitor the credit quality of existing commercial and agricultural portfolios, identifying potential issues and recommending corrective actions as needed.
Support the credit union’s mission by promoting responsible lending that strengthens member relationships and community growth.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications, demands and environments described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 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 and/or EXPERIENCE:

Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field or at least two years’ experience in commercial loan underwriting or a similar role within a financial institution. This position requires strong analytical skills and proficiency in financial analysis software. Knowledge of credit principles, loan policies and banking regulations. Willing to seek out and attend additional continuing education, seminars, classes or other job-related education requirements or opportunities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

The ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

The ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

The ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Able to deal with problems with several concrete variables in standard situations. Must be able to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards, take appropriate precautions, and choose appropriate PPE as dictated by need, regulation, and labeling.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell; stand; walk; sit and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and /or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee.