SBA 7(a) Credit Analyst

About Grow America

Grow America, formerly National Development Council, was founded in 1969 and is one of the nation's oldest non-profit community and economic development organizations. Our mission is to increase the flow of capital for investment, jobs, and community development to underserved urban and rural areas across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.growamerica.org.

Position: SBA 7(a) Credit Analyst

The Business Lending Team manages the deployment of loans nationwide, with a primary focus on SBA 7(a) lending. This Credit Analyst position is crucial for underwriting SBA 7(a) loan requests and supporting small businesses across the U.S.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented and analytical professional to assess creditworthiness, structure loan recommendations, and manage a pipeline of credit requests. The Credit Analyst will report to the Director of Credit, exercising strong independent judgment and ownership.

As a fully remote role, this position is ideal for a self-starter who is highly organized, dependable, and capable of managing priorities independently while collaborating effectively. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a flexible environment, demonstrates accountability, and consistently delivers high-quality work on time.

Candidates based in or with strong ties to key SBA talent markets (Ohio, Texas, Utah, New York, Washington, North Carolina, and Arizona) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain a thorough understanding of SBA and other credit-enhanced lending programs, including eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.
• Review loan applications and supporting documents for completeness and compliance with internal policies, regulatory standards, and the SBA's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• Analyze and evaluate financial statements, credit data, and other relevant information to assess borrower creditworthiness and risk exposure.
• Prepare detailed financial analyses, including cash flow assessments, collateral evaluations, and risk ratings, to support lending decisions.
• Develop comprehensive credit write-ups and loan presentations covering business background, management evaluation, industry analysis, and deal structure.
• Present or support the presentation of loan requests to the Loan Committee or approving authority.
• Manage a pipeline of credit requests, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality underwriting deliverables.
• Clearly communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to lending and credit leadership.
• Collaborate effectively with lending and closing teams for a smooth transition from underwriting to closing.
• Provide excellent service to internal and external stakeholders throughout the lending process.
• Identify opportunities to enhance, streamline, or automate underwriting processes and reporting systems.

Minimum Skill Requirements

• A minimum of five years in SBA 7(a) lending, with a strong understanding of SBA lending and underwriting, including mastery of the SBA SOP.
• Robust analytical, critical thinking, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in finance, business administration, economics, or a related field. Degrees in history, English, or political science may be considered favorably due to their development of strong analytical and writing skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, essential for collaborating with diverse internal and external partners.
• Impeccable personal integrity and the ability to maintain the confidentiality of borrower data.
• Computer proficiency in contact management, word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• A forward-thinking mindset with an interest in leveraging technology to improve efficiency.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work remotely and independently.
• Willingness to travel occasionally, both locally and nationally, for meetings, conferences, or site visits.

This role is ideal for a motivated, detail-oriented professional seeking to play a key role in supporting small business growth through thoughtful and impactful credit analysis.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience: $80,000 - $95,000 annually.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

Grow America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: The information provided is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work for this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.