Corporate Credit Underwriter

Summary: The Corporate Credit Underwriter is responsible for the daily management of an assigned Corporate Loan portfolio.

Salary Rage: The salary range in CA for this role is $89,200 to $130,300 and represents the Company's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate may vary outside of this range depending on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location.

The Company also offers a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401K match. Other rewards may include annual performance-based bonuses and wellness days.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a First Foundation Inc. position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an Employment Visa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Daily management of an assigned Corporate Loan portfolio with a focus on Structured Finance, Asset Based Lending, and other complex credits
• Employee is responsible for adherence to all compliance programs and the completion of all required and assigned training by established due dates
• Employee is responsible for understanding their duties and responsibilities as it relates to the Bank Secrecy Act, (“BSA”), Anti-Money Laundering Act (“AML”), and Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations (“OFAC”). This includes understanding any responsibilities outlined under the Bank’s BSA / OFAC Program, participating in any required training, and promptly complying with all reporting requirements.
• Understands and complies with the requirements of all laws and regulations applicable to the position
• May maintain corporate loan files in partnership with assigned Corporate Underwriter(s) to ensure documentation is organized and complete in electronic files for third-party reviewers
• May prepare internal reports for senior management that identify trends, concentrations, and opportunities within the portfolio
• Monitors ongoing borrower compliance with loan covenants and financial reporting requirements on all assigned loans
• Responsible for ensuring that approved loans adhere to the Bank’s credit policies and procedures
• Ensure that all aspects of requested credit accommodations meet regulatory requirements and achieve profitable loan objectives, which have a significant impact on the Bank’s profitability
• Responsible for drafting Commitment Letters; ensuring that the terms and conditions of the loan approval are accurately reflected
• May attend and represent FFB in various syndication opportunities and other Lender meetings
• Maintain a complete understanding of the Bank’s lending objectives, its credit policies, and procedure, and the underwriting process, as well as various Bank lending products; this includes but is not limited to Structured Finance, Asset Based Lending, Business Lines of Credit, Business Equipment Loans, and Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans
• Evaluate the creditworthiness of prospective Borrower(s) and any and all Guarantor(s)
• May conduct property inspections of proposed collateral to satisfy any questions or doubts raised in the underwriting process
• Recommend approval of loans, declination of loans, or required changes in the amount, interest rate, or loan structure to ensure conformity with the Bank’s credit policy
• Promote and provide excellent customer service by effectively communicating and cooperating with all internal and external customers
• Cross-sell the Bank’s numerous wholesale and retail Bank products where applicable
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 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 essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or financial field required
• Master’s degree in business administration and/or completion of Banking School preferred
• Must have strong knowledge of credit analysis, including real property analysis and valuation, real estate lending, loan underwriting, and financial and credit analysis acquired through at least 10 years of previous lending experience and credit analysis training at a financial institution
• Must have a strong knowledge of structured finance, asset-based lending, and corporate loan syndications through at least 5 years of previous lending experience and credit analysis training at a financial institution

Skills:

• Must have a strong understanding of accounting principles
• Proficiency in Windows applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Must be organized, and self-motivated with strong verbal communication and written skills
• Must be able to comprehend, analyze, and interpret information regarding financial statements, tax returns, and other information for the more complicated commercial loan transactions
• Must be familiar with business entity documentation including partnership agreements, trust agreements, corporate documentation, and limited liability companies
• Must have expertise in dealing with borrowers, have strong customer service ethics, and team-building skills
• Must have the ability to prioritize, organize, and produce in a high-volume, deadline-driven production workgroup
• Must have strong grammar, composition, and analytical skills

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods; use hands to operate controls on the computer; reach with hands and arms for phone and computer work; and communicate on the phone while wearing a headset for extended periods. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. This job description is subject to change at any time.

First Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.