Senior Credit Analyst - CRE

Senior Credit Analyst / Senior Commercial Real Estate Underwriter

Position Summary

The Senior Credit Analyst serves as the lead underwriting and credit support professional for a team of Commercial Real Estate Relationship Managers focused on both Income Property and Homebuilder Finance lending. This position is responsible for independently analyzing, structuring, underwriting, and presenting commercial real estate credit transactions while supporting a high-performing production team.

The ideal candidate possesses strong commercial real estate underwriting expertise and can evaluate a broad range of lending opportunities, including construction and development financing, homebuilder facilities, acquisition financing, income-producing real estate, and owner-occupied commercial properties. This role works closely with Relationship Managers throughout the credit lifecycle, from initial due diligence and underwriting through approval, closing, ongoing portfolio monitoring, covenant compliance, and annual reviews.

Unlike traditional credit analyst positions, this role functions as the primary underwriter on assigned transactions and is expected to independently prepare comprehensive credit presentations, communicate directly with clients and credit authorities, and help drive transactions through the approval process.

This position offers a defined career progression path into Portfolio Management and ultimately Relationship Management for individuals interested in expanding their client-facing responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Credit Underwriting & Analysis

• Serve as the primary underwriter for commercial real estate and homebuilder finance transactions.

• Analyze and underwrite construction, development, acquisition, bridge, and permanent financing opportunities.

• Evaluate borrower and guarantor financial strength, liquidity, leverage, cash flow, repayment capacity, and collateral adequacy.

• Analyze financial statements, tax returns, rent rolls, operating statements, project budgets, absorption studies, appraisals, and market data.

• Prepare detailed financial spreads, sensitivity analyses, stress testing, and cash flow modeling.

• Conduct industry, market, and competitive analyses to identify risks and opportunities.

• Structure credit facilities consistent with established credit policies and risk tolerances.

Transaction Management

• Partner with Relationship Managers from signed term sheet through loan approval and closing.

• Prepare comprehensive credit approval memoranda and loan presentations.

• Present credit recommendations and defend underwriting conclusions to credit approvers and senior management.

• Coordinate due diligence requirements and ensure all information necessary for underwriting is obtained and analyzed.

• Manage multiple transactions simultaneously while meeting established turnaround expectations.

Portfolio Management Support

• Assist with annual reviews, credit renewals, modifications, and portfolio maintenance activities.

• Monitor covenant compliance and borrower reporting requirements.

• Review construction progress, project performance, and borrower operating results.

• Identify emerging credit concerns and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

• Maintain accurate and complete credit files and supporting documentation.

Client & Relationship Support

• Participate in client meetings, project site visits, and due diligence discussions.

• Develop direct working relationships with borrowers, developers, builders, and external partners.

• Support Relationship Managers in evaluating new business opportunities and expanding existing client relationships.

• Provide exceptional service to internal and external clients through proactive communication and responsiveness.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor for junior credit analysts.

• Assist in training team members on underwriting methodologies, credit policies, and portfolio management practices.

• Promote consistency and best practices across the credit team.

• Support the development of future analysts and portfolio managers within the organization.

Preferred Experience

• 5 years of commercial banking, commercial real estate underwriting, credit analysis, portfolio management, or related lending experience.

• Experience underwriting both income-producing commercial real estate and construction/homebuilder finance strongly preferred.

• Experience with acquisition, development, construction, and permanent financing transactions.

• Strong understanding of commercial real estate valuation methodologies, construction lending, borrower cash flow analysis, and risk assessment.

• Experience preparing formal credit approval memoranda for credit committees and approval authorities.

• Ability to independently manage transactions from initial underwriting through approval and closing.

Career Path

This role is designed as a senior underwriting position with opportunities to advance into:

• Commercial Portfolio Manager

• Commercial Real Estate Relationship Manager

• Commercial Lending Officer

• Regional Credit Leadership

Successful candidates will gain exposure to both credit and client-facing responsibilities while supporting a high-volume, growth-oriented commercial real estate lending platform.

Success Profile

The successful candidate is:

• A strong commercial real estate underwriter who enjoys analyzing complex transactions.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced production environment.

• Capable of supporting multiple high-performing Relationship Managers.

• Detail-oriented while maintaining strong business judgment.

• Interested in long-term career growth within commercial banking and commercial real estate finance.

• Collaborative, self-directed, and willing to wear multiple hats in support of the team and clients.