Oakstar Bank Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At OakStar Bank, our team members live out our SERVE mindset each day by building meaningful relationships, creating extraordinary experiences, and consistently going above and beyond for our customers and for one another.

We're more than a bank. That's why we are invested in the communities we serve--we're all at our best when those around us thrive.

Join the OakStar Bank team! We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits including health, dental, vision, and disability insurances, as well as 401(k), 401(k) match, and paid time off.

Summary

The Senior Commercial Underwriter is responsible for analyzing, structuring, and underwriting complex commercial credit requests to support the bank's lending activities. This role ensures sound credit decisions through in-depth financial analysis, risk assessment, and adherence to internal policies and regulatory standards. The position partners closely with Commercial Loan Officers, Executive Loan Committee, Portfolio Managers, and Credit Department leadership to support portfolio growth while maintaining strong asset quality.

Essential Duties

Conduct comprehensive credit analysis for commercial loan requests, including C&I, commercial real estate (CRE), construction, owner-occupied properties, and government guaranteed lending programs.

Evaluate borrower financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, collateral, and global cash flow to determine creditworthiness.

Prepare detailed credit approval memorandums summarizing risk, structure, mitigants, and recommendations.

Analyze industry trends, economic conditions, and market data to assess external risk factors and provide an appropriate narrative to address these factors.

Structure loan terms, covenants, and conditions to appropriately mitigate identified risks.

Assign and justify internal risk ratings in accordance with bank policy.

Collaborate with credit leadership to develop credit strategies and recommend deal structures.

Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, underwriting standards, and regulatory guidelines.

Review appraisals, environmental reports, and third-party due diligence.

Identify policy exceptions and provide clear rationale and mitigating factors.

Participate in loan committee presentations and discussions for complex transactions.

Monitor existing credit relationships, including financial performance, covenant compliance, and risk trends.

Support portfolio reviews, stress testing, and risk grading accuracy.

Assist in developing and refining underwriting policies, procedures, and best practices.

Maintain thorough and accurate documentation within credit files and systems.

Secondary Duties

The Senior Commercial Underwriter performs duties specific to the position and other functions as assigned.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with all bank policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal banking regulations.

Treat people with respect, keep commitments, inspire the trust of others, work ethically and with integrity, uphold the bank's values, and accept responsibility for one's own actions.

Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to EEO policy, show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences, educate others on the value of diversity, promote a working environment free of harassment of any type, and value a diverse workforce.

Follow policies and procedures, complete tasks accurately and on time, support the bank's goals and values, and benefit the bank through outside activities.

Perform the position safely, without endangering the health or safety of yourself or others, and report potentially unsafe conditions to management. Comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to the OSHA Act of 1970 that are applicable to one's position at the bank.

Possess and maintain a current driver's license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage. Both are required to drive while performing assigned duties and responsibilities.

Possess and maintain adequate skills in computer operation, including email, word processing, spreadsheet, and specialty software programs.

Possess and maintain adequate typing skills to meet the needs of the position.

Possess and maintain adequate math skills to meet the needs of the position. This may include the ability to count currency and coin, calculate interest, balance accounts, add, subtract, multiply, and locate routine mathematical errors.

Practice effective and efficient organizational and time management skills.

Be able to work with general supervision while performing duties.

Use effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. This includes the ability to apply common sense when carrying out instructions, interpreting documents, understanding procedures, writing reports and correspondence, and speaking clearly to customers and employees.

Be able to deal with routine problems involving multiple facets and variables in standardized situations.

Supervisor Responsibility

The Senior Commercial Underwriter is not responsible for the supervision of any employee(s).

Environment, Physical, & Mental Demands

The environment for this position is primarily a non-confined office-type setting in which employees are free to move about at will. This environment may include some minor annoyances, such as noise, odors, drafts, temperatures, etc.

Physical demands include writing, typing, speaking, listening, lifting (up to 25 pounds), driving, carrying, seeing (such as close, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusted focus), sitting, walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, and reaching.

Mental demands include analytical reasoning, reading and understanding documents or instruments, performing detailed work, following directions, problem solving, providing effective customer or employee communication, performing accurate math calculations, understanding language, engaging in effective verbal and written communication, enduring stress, conducting multiple concurrent tasks, and withstanding constant interruptions.

Physical and mental demands also include correct usage of the following equipment: telephones, cellular phones, copy and fax machines, adding machines or calculators, encoders, money counters, credit card terminals, postage machines, cash recyclers, vaults, computers, and related printers.

Work environment characteristics, physical demands, and mental demands are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job and represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the job in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

These qualifications are general guidelines normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The specifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviations from these qualifications.

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field preferred.

Minimum of 7-10 years of commercial credit underwriting or credit analysis experience in a banking environment.

Strong knowledge of commercial lending products including C&I, CRE, construction lending, and government guaranteed lending programs.

Proven experience underwriting complex credit transactions and large borrowing relationships.

Advanced financial analysis skills, including cash flow modeling and global cash flow analysis.

Strong understanding of financial statements, tax returns, and accounting principles.

Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate credit risk effectively.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Proficiency in credit underwriting systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Sound judgment and decision-making skills.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.

Ability to ensure compliance with internal credit policies and loan approval authorities.

Familiarity with participated/syndicated loans.

Familiarity with loan review processes and regulatory examinations.

Ability to work additional or non-standard hours as needed to meet deadlines or respond to other situations requiring extended availability.

Management reserves the right to change this position description at any time according to business needs.