Underwriter - Franchise Finance

Company: Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Summary The Underwriter will be responsible for evaluating franchise and other loan program applications based on established criteria, Standard Operating Procedures, and other government lending guidelines. The primary role is to conduct in-depth analysis of financial information and preparation of the financial spreads and Credit Approval Memorandum (CAM) to form a recommendation of approval or denial of new loans. The Underwriter will also present the loan to the appropriate level of credit approval authority. Benefits: What we offer Competitive salary & commission structure to elevate your earning potential. Comprehensive benefits package that includes the following (based on eligibility and requirements): Employee Stock Ownership Program, Retirement Savings Plan, Medical, Dental, & Vision programs, Health Savings Accounts, and Flexible Spending Accounts. Career Growth opportunities - tuition reimbursement. Energetic and collaborative work environment. Responsibilities Performs a variety of duties to support the Lending/Franchise Finance team which includes, but is not limited to, Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating financial and related data to determine credit worthiness of loan prospects and merits of specific loan requests. Reviews application for completeness. Requests missing information. Maintains and organizes the loan file. Orders third party reports (credit reports, background checks, eligibility items, appraisals, etc.), prepares financial spreads. Works in coordination with the Business Development Officer and other team members to gather all necessary information to present an accurate and complete picture of the loan presented. Calls on loan applicants to fully understand their business model, financing needs and specific risks the business encounters. Perform in-depth due diligence and analysis for cash flow, financial capacity, and eligibility, including, but not limited to the following: Spread and interpret financial statements, tax returns, and projections. Complete the spreads to include an analysis of the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow analysis, personal cash flow analysis, collateral analysis, global cash flow, economic and industrial factors, and debt service capacity. Compare the subject business to the appropriate industry market conditions and ratio analysis. Prepare the comprehensive Credit Approval Memorandum with a credit decision recommendation in accordance with company Policy and Procedures and the current Standard Operating Procedures. The analysis will include an outline of the risks and mitigating factors of the loan request based upon the overall analysis of the application and supporting documents. When needed, the Underwriter will provide additional recommendations on a revised loan structure that will better fit the applicants’ financial needs. Assignment of accurate risk ratings for new loans to minimize the Bank’s credit philosophy. Abides by the current laws and organizational policies and procedures designed and implemented to promote an environment which is free of sexual harassment and other forms of illegal discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Cooperates with, participates in, and supports the adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness and the bank’s compliance with all regulatory requirements. Assists with various administrative tasks to support department operations, as directed; may also be assigned special projects. Adheres to policy & procedure of the Franchise Finance group and must comply with BSA/AML/OFAC regulations and guidelines. Participates in outside classes, seminars, meetings, and training to constantly improve development, remain current and aware of new growth opportunities. Follows all safety and security procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. Requirements Skills/Experience/Education Bachelor's degree required, with a preference for a degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or other related fields required. Minimum of 3 years of experience, preferred. SBA 7(a) credit underwriting experience is a plus. Demonstrate excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills. PC Proficiency in Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, and Smartphone devices as well as Microsoft Office Suite software. Ability to work well independently and within a team environment with proven ability to meet deadlines. Attention to detail is imperative. Must have strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to learn and prioritize specialized loan processing tasks. Must be a self-starter with the ability to multi-task. Essential Mental & Physical Requirements Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions. Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines. Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer may be required. Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 15 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions. If the employee is unable to lift/move/carry this weight and can be accommodated without causing the department/division any “undue hardship” then the employee must be accommodated; hence omitting lifting/moving/carrying as a physical requirement. Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company and its subsidiaries is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, military and veteran status, physical and mental disability, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe in attracting, retaining, and promoting quality talent and recognize that our diversity is critical to the success of the company. Salary Description $80,000- $100,000/ year (may change based on exp)

Keywords: Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company, Berwyn , Underwriter - Franchise Finance, Accounting, Auditing , Chicago, Illinois