Head of Commercial Underwriting

Grasshopper Bank is a client-first, digital bank built for the business and innovation economy, with an obsession for providing leading-edge technology, solutions-driven products and superior service through a combination of passionate people and digital resources. We are a highly experienced team who pride ourselves on diversity of thought and perspective. Nationally chartered, our portfolio of products and services range from VC, PE & Portfolio Companies to SBA Lending, as well as direct SMB and Embedded Banking. Our entrepreneurial drive allows us to support the growth and success of a wide range of clients at every stage of their business through inclusive partnership. We seek out team members who will enable both our organization and our people to grow and thrive through collaboration and acting with integrity and respect. Our focus on cross-functional teamwork provides a culture where ideas are valued, accountability is encouraged, and successes are celebrated. We welcome all those searching for the opportunity to contribute to banking innovation that influences and supports the emerging digital world of Financial Services. Our digital first approach enables our teams the flexibility to work remotely. We have offices in NYC and Boston.

What you'll do:

The Head of Commercial Underwriting will be responsible for managing the timely execution of underwriting and portfolio management processes throughout the Bank's Commercial portfolio. You will work with the Chief Credit Officer to manage the aggregate risk in the Bank’s loan portfolio, and ensure that commercial credit and collection policies, processes and procedures appropriately mitigate the risks inherent in any loan portfolio. This role will coordinate the management and work-out of problem credits, recommending appropriate strategies, attainment of lending objectives and the overall direction and operations of Commercial underwriting.Responsibilities include:

• Interface with the CCO and Deputy CCO to ensure the Commercial loan quality and risk rating goals are met while the proper reporting is consistently delivered and communicated
• Meet compliance targets for annual reviews, risk ratings, covenant compliance and collateral monitoring
• Approve credit requests based on delegated approval authority granted while providing critical views on credit requests (including new business, modifications and renewals)
• Build and coach a strong portfolio management and underwriting team through internal development and external talent acquisition. Perform all required personnel actions. Provide leadership over underwriters/portfolio managers supporting the Commercial portfolio
• Interface with the executive team and finance to ensure: (1) budgeting and expense control goals are set and properly met; (2) overall performance goals of the Bank are understood and (3) market trends are analyzed
• Examine files periodically for assurance of credit and collateral documentation, regulatory compliance and loan policy conformance; review technical exceptions and deficiencies
• Prepare written analyses on all large loans, aggregate lending vs. indebtedness for individual borrowers, complex loans and weak loans
• Identify problem loans; discuss the status of problem loans with the CCO and other senior lending officers; identify loans meeting non-accrual or charge-off criteria
• Manage the workout of “problem loans"
• Review the analysis of financial statements for both proposed and existing customers to determine present and future financial strength, liquidity, debt service coverage and value of collateral
• Review discounted cash flows or capital rate analysis to determine future financial performance and asset values
• Review internal asset reviews of existing borrowers for quarterly management review

What you need:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) plus additional lending, compliance and audit related training
• Minimum 8 - 10 years’ experience in bank lending, underwriting, loan review and/or compliance experience or equivalent education in bank lending, loan review/compliance procedures and policies
• Senior level experience in all facets of commercial lending

Originally posted on Himalayas