Commercial Loan Underwriter & Portfolio Manager at Carver Federal Savings Bank – East Harlem New York, New York

FLSA: Exempt
Location: East Harlem New York, NY
Reports To: Director of Underwriting and Portfolio Management
Hybrid Schedule: In Office 4 days, 1 day remote
Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 - based on experience

Position Summary:

The Senior Commercial Loan Underwriter & Portfolio Manager is responsible for the credit evaluation, underwriting, and ongoing portfolio management of the Bank’s loan book, primarily Commercial Real Estate (CRE) and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) loans. This highly visible role partners with the Director of Underwriting/Portfolio Management along with the Lending Team to structure, analyze, and approve large and/or complex loan transactions, while also overseeing risk management and compliance within the assigned portfolio.

The ideal candidate brings credit expertise, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to risk monitoring and client support.

We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

Key Responsibilities:

Underwriting & Credit Analysis:

• Lead the underwriting and structuring of new and renewed CRE and C&I loan transactions, including owner-occupied and investor real estate, SBA transactions, business lines of credit, term loans, to a lesser extent, consumer loans.
• Analyze borrower financial statements, rent rolls, guarantor strength, global cash flow, schedules of real estate owned, debt service coverage, and collateral valuations.
• Prepare high-quality credit approval memorandums for presentation to the Management Loan Committee and Board committees as applicable.
• Provide input on loan structuring, pricing, terms, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Perform detailed due diligence, including market research, industry analysis, and sponsor review.
• Ensure all underwriting meets internal credit policy and procedures, regulatory compliance (e.g., Reg. B, Internal Risk Rating standards, OCC guidance), and risk appetite parameters.

Portfolio Management:

• Manage a portfolio of complex CRE and C&I relationships with total exposure typically up to $10MM.
• Conduct regular risk reviews, covenant testing, and financial performance monitoring.
• Lead annual reviews, credit rating assessments, and early warning reviews for existing borrowers.
• Identify deteriorating credits or potential problem loans; collaborate with workout/collection team as needed.
• Maintain detailed and accurate credit files, relationship data, and loan tracking systems.
• Regular contact with Borrowers to ensure credit quality as well as initiating new business opportunities.
• Reviews relevant deal documents / information and ongoing portfolio management initiatives to maintain quality of loan book and compliance with loan covenant requirements.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Mentor junior analysts, providing guidance on deal structuring, analysis, and presentation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (e.g., loan operations, compliance, legal, appraisal, and collateral teams) to ensure timely and smooth loan closings.
• Represent the credit function in client meetings and due diligence sessions for complex or high-profile transactions.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Minimum 7–10 years of direct experience in commercial credit underwriting and portfolio management, with a focus on CRE and C&I lending and relationship management
• Formal credit training or equivalent hands-on experience with complex transactions

Skills & Competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of CRE underwriting (stabilized and construction), market fundamentals, and loan structures
• Strong understanding of C&I loan products including global cash flow.
• Experience with Leveraged financing preferred but not required
• Expert-level financial analysis and risk assessment capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for executive-level reporting and credit presentations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with little supervision.
• Comfortable in customer contact situations including escalations and potential work-out/loan restructure environments.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and financial spreading tools (e.g., Moody’s, Silverlake, Jack Henry, Loan Vantage)

Preferred Certifications:

• Completion of a formal bank credit training program (highly preferred)

Work Environment:

• Hybrid, 4 days in office
• Some travel may be required for property site visits or client meetings