Senior Commercial Underwriter, Renewable Energy

About Us

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country.  Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America’s Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high-yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money.  At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well-being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream.

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People

The Senior Commercial Underwriter, as a member of Live Oak Bank’s (CRE, Renewable Energy) team, will lead the evaluation, underwriting, and closing of commercial real estate loans. The Senior Commercial Underwriter will coordinate and/or perform market research, due diligence, financial models and analysis, credit presentations, legal documentation review, and other projects through the entire loan process. The Senior Commercial Underwriter will work with other support functions across the bank to ensure execution of loan production pipelines while delivering top quality customer service to sophisticated (Institutional and High Net Worth) Borrowers.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the (CRE, Renewable Energy) team by analyzing and underwriting new loan transactions with a focus on the Solar asset class, with opportunity to cross train on other (CRE, Renewable Energy) asset classes over time (Hospitality, Multifamily, etc.)

• Preparation of pre-screen memos, final credit memos, and other analysis for new transactions

• Assist in the entire Loan Production process with increasing exposure and responsibility over time

• Lead, coordinate, or contribute to special projects, audits, quarterly portfolio reviews, and other ad hoc duties

• Serve as a knowledgeable resource in the (Seniors Housing, Solar) industry and develop industry relationships

• Be capable of leading all aspects of the transaction, and will execute with support from team members, including:

  • Analysis of market and demographic trends

  • Loan structuring

  • Review and analysis of due diligence items and reports

  • Financial spreads and proforma model analysis

  • Credit presentations

  • Legal documentation review and negotiation

  • Maintaining familiarity with applicable systems and ensuring accurate information for team and other departments

• Interact with other Underwriters, Portfolio Analysts & Managers, Senior Loan Officers, Managing Directors, Construction Team, Loan Operations, Closing, and other departments within the bank

• Often work as part of a team in partnership with both junior underwriters and underwriting managers

• Maintain a high standard of regulatory awareness including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business or finance and 5+ years of relevant experience

• Strong knowledge of credit analysis, spreading and analyzing financial statements, risk analysis, credit scoring, loan documentation, etc.

• Strong Excel and modeling skills

• Strong working knowledge of banking products, services, policies, procedures and regulations

• Excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize and manage multiple workstreams and shifting priorities

• Excellent internal and external customer service and relationship management skills, with ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of bank personnel

Preferred Experience

• 5+ years of CRE underwriting experience and/or real estate or specific background

• Ability to take on special assignments on an as-needed, ad-hoc basis

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Willingness to coach and mentor junior underwriters

• Motivated self-starter

Our Values

• Dedication: Possess a deep commitment to Live Oak Bank’s mission and core values, exemplified through a strong work ethic, adaptability and pride in your work.

• Ownership: Take initiative to deliver positive resu