Leasing Lead Credit Underwriter

Overview:

Responsible for preliminary screening, advisement, underwriting, approving, and funding of largest and/or most complex lease and loan requests with the greatest risks/financial exposure to the organization and, as applicable, within assigned authority.  Advises sales staff on deal size and structure based on customer strength and collateral coverage.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Facilitate the credit needs of customers by underwriting new lease and loan requests and material modifications from submittal through approval and funding.
• Underwrite and/or recommend lease and loan transactions for final approval by analyzing the largest and/or most complex financial information, including trends, cash flow and key risks, collateral, and other related information, within assigned authority as applicable.
• Complete spreads of financial statements, prepare debt service overlays, initiate appraisals, confirm existing exposure, obtain references and reports, and check related names to ensure regulatory compliance. Determine need for more thorough investigation or additional information and coordinate the gathering of such. 
• Interact with customers during the underwriting process to obtain additional information and gain a better understanding of the credit, including the reason for the acquisition, financial trends, and industry information.
• Prepare written credit presentations. Ensure credit policy compliance and evaluate risk associated with non-compliance. Maintain currency of credit department logs and internal systems.
• Review and confirm for funding that all credit requirements have been met based on the signed approval and subject collateral is as approved.  Prepare modifications and seek appropriate approvals for any changes to the transaction.   
• Authorize and track transaction commencement and funding (after confirming all conditions and regulatory requirements have been satisfied).
• Provide Portfolio Administration with approved presentations to ensure ongoing covenant compliance. Identify material adverse changes and provide information and advice to the appropriate party. Upload new financial statements for the Portfolio Administration department to access.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to other Credit Department members as requested and assist other Departments with credit specific questions or reviewing existing customer information.
• Provide training and guidance to less experienced Underwriters as needed or requested from management.
• Prepare various reports, including but not limited to, Exception & Variance, Flood, and Servicer Log reports.
• Prepare and maintain files on equipment vendors and approved brokers.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibilities:

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

Not Applicable

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ commercial credit, leasing, public accounting, financial statement preparation/analysis and/or other financial analysis experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years’ commercial credit, leasing, public accounting, financial statement preparation/analysis and/or other financial analysis experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Expertise in credit policies and procedures
• Exceptional research skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience influencing lending issues
• Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent word processing, spreadsheet, and industry-specific software
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented
• Experience working independently
• Strong decision-making skills

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field
• Minimum of 7 years’ commercial credit, leasing, public accounting, financial statement preparation/analysis and/or other financial analysis experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of equipment leasing

Physical Requirements:

• Ability and availability to travel to assist on time sensitive portfolio reviews

Location