Commercial C&I Underwriter
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First Bank
Newport Beach, CA, US
Summary
The Underwriter is responsible for the independent risk assessment of commercial loan requests, including evaluating borrower financial strength and collateral support. They prepare comprehensive credit memoranda and collaborate with relationship managers to provide well-supported credit recommendations.
Job Description
About this Role
The Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Underwriter serves as a critical control within the Bank’s credit risk management framework and is responsible for the independent risk assessment of commercial loan requests. This role focuses on commercial and industrial lending relationships, including owner-occupied real estate, working capital facilities, equipment financing, acquisition financing, lines of credit, and other commercial credit structures. The Underwriter provides objective evaluation of borrower and guarantor financial strength, cash flow repayment capacity, collateral support, industry and business risk factors; prepares comprehensive credit memoranda; identifies risk factors and exceptions to credit policy; and provides well-supported recommendations on credit decisions.
Candidates with more advanced commercial underwriting experience may be considered at the Senior Commercial & Industrial Underwriter level. At the senior level, the role would be expected to work with greater independence, underwrite more complex commercial credit relationships, provide stronger credit structuring recommendations, and serve as a resource to less experienced credit staff.
In this Role You Will
- Prepare objective underwriting analysis for commercial loan requests including new loans, renewals, extensions, and modifications
- Exercise independent judgment to assess the creditworthiness of loan requests, including analyses of borrowers, guarantors, cash flow, and collateral
- Identify transaction risks and propose mitigants to ensure alignment with the Bank's risk appetite
- Evaluate borrower operating performance, repayment capacity, liquidity, leverage, and industry risk factors
- Actively participate in the deal team, collaborating with Relationship Managers, Portfolio Managers, Regional Credit Officers, and other credit partners
- Prepare clear, complete, and decision-ready credit memoranda that support approval, renewal, modification, or decline recommendations
- Participate in training to increase proficiency as part of professional development
- Perform other duties as assigned
Compensation Disclosure
The range for this role takes into account many factors that First Bank considers when making hiring decisions, including but not limited to prior experience, skill set, training, and other internal business and organizational factors. First Bank generally does not hire at or near the top of the stated range. The range is driven by the geographic location of the anticipated hiring location; however, the specific range may vary depending on the geographic location for remote positions. Compensation decisions depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each hiring instance.
A reasonable estimate of the current pay range is $100,000 - $125,000, annually.Qualifications
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree from a four year college or university required, MBA preferred
First Bank is a privately held, family-owned bank built for clients who think beyond the next transaction and focus on what comes next across years, decades, and generations.
For more than a century, First Bank has been guided by multi-generational ownership and leadership. That perspective shapes how we serve family-owned and privately held businesses: with patience, continuity, and a long-term view of capital, growth, and transition. We understand that for these businesses, financial decisions are rarely isolated. They’re connected to family legacy, leadership succession, and the future of the enterprise itself.
Our relationship-driven approach is grounded in stewardship. We invest in lasting partnerships, deep industry expertise, and thoughtful growth so our clients can make confident decisions today while preparing for the realities of tomorrow. Through dedicated teams and specialized resources, including our Center for Family Owned Businesses, we support founders, current leaders, and next generation decision makers as their needs evolve.
With a strong presence across the Midwest, California, and Texas, First Bank combines the stability of family ownership with the scale, technology, and capabilities required to serve complex businesses in dynamic markets. We are intentionally built to adapt, grow, and remain relevant so our clients can do the same, generation after generation.
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
First Bank does not use LinkedIn as a client service tool and users should refrain from posting personal information. Please contact the First Bank Service Center for client service needs.
Privacy policy: https://www.first.bank/About/Disclosures/Privacy-Statement
Founded
1910
Company size
1,001-5,000 employees
Industry
Banking
Org type
Privately Held
Headquarters
Nashville, Tennessee
First Bank is a privately held, family-owned bank built for clients who think beyond the next transaction and focus on what comes next across years, decades, and generations.
For more than a century, First Bank has been guided by multi-generational ownership and leadership. That perspective shapes how we serve family-owned and privately held businesses: with patience, continuity, and a long-term view of capital, growth, and transition. We understand that for these businesses, financial decisions are rarely isolated. They’re connected to family legacy, leadership succession, and the future of the enterprise itself.
Our relationship-driven approach is grounded in stewardship. We invest in lasting partnerships, deep industry expertise, and thoughtful growth so our clients can make confident decisions today while preparing for the realities of tomorrow. Through dedicated teams and specialized resources, including our Center for Family Owned Businesses, we support founders, current leaders, and next generation decision makers as their needs evolve.
With a strong presence across the Midwest, California, and Texas, First Bank combines the stability of family ownership with the scale, technology, and capabilities required to serve complex businesses in dynamic markets. We are intentionally built to adapt, grow, and remain relevant so our clients can do the same, generation after generation.
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
First Bank does not use LinkedIn as a client service tool and users should refrain from posting personal information. Please contact the First Bank Service Center for client service needs.
Privacy policy: https://www.first.bank/About/Disclosures/Privacy-Statement
Founded
1910
Company size
1,001-5,000 employees
Industry
Banking
Org type
Privately Held
Headquarters
Nashville, Tennessee