Senior Credit Associate (Underwriter - Agribusiness)

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Job Summary
The Agriculture (AG) Group is a specialty lending group at KeyBank with expertise in providing financing to a broad spectrum of AG borrowers such as farms, ranches, dairies, a wide range of crop producing borrowers, as well as commercial borrowers which process and package crops and AG related products. Senior Credit Associates (Underwriters) are responsible for underwriting and financial analysis, diligence, loan structuring, collaborate with the sales teams, and are responsible for portfolio monitoring of the AG book. Size of relationship ranges from small farms to large, syndicated loan transactions.

The Senior Credit Associate is an individual contributor highly experienced in, and responsible for, for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting various types of credit information on existing and prospective customers to determine credit worthiness. While under limited supervision of Underwriting Team Leaders, the Senior Credit Associate structures new requests for extensions of credit, as well as completing extensions, renewals and making recommendations for deteriorating credits while independently managing their workflow and communication with field partners. Senior Credit Associates are responsible for assessing the degree of risk within a given business and recommending client credit solutions to maintain the bank's asset quality while ensuring compliance with credit policy and guidelines. Senior Credit Associates are considered subject matter experts in their designated line of business; an important component of the job is underwriting the most complicated transactions, including acquisitions, syndications, and specialized industries. Senior Credit Associates are required to make loan decisions within an assigned lending authority and provide educated, well-thought-out recommendations when decisioning requires a higher level of approval authority.

Essential Functions

• Evaluate loan requests, often multi faceted or complex, to properly identify purpose, risk elements, and collateral adequacy.
• Assess the liquidity, quality of management, market position, industry and overall business climate to estimate future profitability of business.
• Analyze credit data, financial statements (cash flow, balance sheet, income statements), and tax returns (both personal and business) to determine creditworthiness and the degree of risk involved in extending credit or lending; a significant amount of the work will focus on the most complicated transactions and industries.
• Apply accounting principles to financial modeling, often requiring an understanding of sophisticated financial structures.
• Input, interpret, and assess risk rating model output, client data and banking capabilities/position to develop a credit recommendation.
• Develop the credit write-up to make loan structuring decisions within delegated authority or make recommendations to the appropriate Credit partners/Officers; document and communicate findings providing relative guidance.
• Identify deteriorating credits early and escalate with well thought out/experienced recommendations for restructure.
• Initiate annual reviews.
• Review loan documentation to ensure loan documents match terms and conditions outlined in the credit approval.
• Create and maintain credit files, and develop spreadsheets based on financial statements to facilitate foundational underwriting analysis.
• Responsible for client setup, client data tracking, document tracking, reports, testing borrowing base certificates and covenant compliance, trends, and dashboards; may assist with this reporting for the broader team.
• Provide financial analysis and portfolio administration to ensure timely and accurate risk ratings; may assist with this in support of the broader team.
• Responsible for monitoring a portfolio of credits that require complex underwriting.
• Serve as a mentor, coach, and trainer for Credit Analysts & Associates.
• Collaborate with bankers and credit partners to drive the efficiency and effectiveness of the credit process to meet client expectations; take a lead role in reviewing and discussing initial loan requests with sales and credit.
• Develop and lead, or assist with the development and facilitation of, training sessions for underwriting staff and/or line of business partners.
• Performs other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities and/or activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice
• Complies with all KeyBank policies and procedures, including without limitation, acting professionally at all times, conducting business ethically, avoiding conflicts of interest, and acting in the best interests of Key's clients and Key.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in finance, accounting, economics and/or business (required)

Work Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of commercial/specialty client segment underwriting, credit, banking and/or financial services experience (required)
• Competent with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and effectively utilize other technology applications (required)
• Strong understanding of financial models (required)
• Ability to gather relevant research, analyze data, and synthesize large amounts of information to accurately assess complex commercial creditworthiness and create a detailed, thorough and dynamic underwriting package (required)
• Extensive experience with commercial credit underwriting/approval methodologies, credit policies and procedures; reputation for strong risk management (required)
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to collaboratively make an impact (required)
• Ability to plan, multi-task, manage time effectively, and work independently, in addition to supporting the strategic initiatives of the team and the Underwriting Team Leaders (required)

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of underwriting Ag Production clients including, but not limited to, tree fruit, row crops, and dairies.

Skills

• Able to gather or pull together relevant information and utilize it to draw insights, conclusions, solution problems, make decisions and/or tell a story. Requires one to make sense of the data and display logical, connected thinking. (expert level)
• Demonstrates an understanding of foundational accounting principles and can interpret and analyze financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements) to assess a company's financial health and ability to meet its obligations. Able to effectively utilize various tools and techniques, including financial ratios, to evaluate a borrower's financial strength and assess risk. (expert level)
• Able to effectively identify, assess, and control potential risks involved with corporate lending. Able to effectively interpret and negotiate credit agreements and loan documentation. Understanding how specific loan terms and conditions can be employed to mitigate risk of loss. (expert level)
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, set clear objectives, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, maximize productivity, and minimize stress. Able to successfully identify which tasks are urgent (requiring immediate attention) and which are important (contributing to long-term goals). Able to effectively multitask and balance competing priorities. Habitually working with energy and commitment; industrious. (expert level)
• Able to clearly, concisely, and persuasively convey information, whether verbal, written, or nonverbal. Able to effectively synthesize large amounts of complex information into a more consumable summary. Consistently demonstrates a focus on keeping clients, partners, and teammates informed as to the real-time status of important matters. (experienced level)
• Effectively working with others to reach a shared goal. Consistently displaying a willingness to shoulder a fair share of the workload in addition to helping others meet their objectives. (experienced level)
• Consistently taking ownership of one's actions, decisions, and performance, and being responsible for achieving the agreed-upon outcomes. Being reliable, dependable, and fulfilling commitments. Able to be relied upon as honest and truthful. (experienced level)
• Able to identify, evaluate, and interpret information, and question assumptions to reach well-supported, evidence-based conclusions. Open-minded and eager to seize opportunities to learn, grow, acquire knowledge, and expand skill set. (experienced level)
• Able to carefully evaluate the impact of all emerging and/or existing considerations and choose the best path forward using informed, rational, and effective decision-making techniques in various lending and business situations. (experienced level)
• Demonstrates the ability to influence and inspire, motivate, empower, and guide others towards a common goal. Consistently displays the highest standards, values, and behaviors, inspiring others to follow, and setting a model for excellence. (working knowledge level)

Core Competencies

• All KeyBank employees are expected to demonstrate Key's Values and abide by Key's Code of Conduct.

Physical Demands

• General Office - Prolonged sitting, ability to communicate face to face in person or on the phone with teammates and clients, frequent use of PC/laptop, occasional lifting/pushing/pulling of backpacks, computer bags up to 10 lbs.

Travel

• Occasional travel to include overnight stay.

Work Location Category

• Remote

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Please click here for a list of benefits for which this position is eligible.

Key has implemented an approach to employee workspaces which prioritizes in-office presence, while providing flexible options in circumstances where roles can be performed effectively in a mobile environment.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing HR_Compliance@keybank.com.