SBA Underwriter

Join a Mission-Driven Team Building a Better Future

At Climate First Bank, we’re redefining what banking can be. As a Florida Benefit Corporation and FDIC-insured commercial bank, we offer a full suite of personal and business services—including solar, residential, commercial, and SBA loans—all designed to power a better future.

With branches in St. Petersburg, Winter Park, Mount Dora, and a growing digital presence, we’re proving that banking can be a force for good. We don’t just support environmental and social causes—we’re built on them.

Welcome to the Movement

You are joining a team of driven, mission-aligned individuals ready to make an impact. They share your passion for sustainability, your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment — and, just like you, want to be part of something bigger! We are goal-setters, go-getters, and changemakers. We celebrate wins, tackle challenges head-on, and push the boundaries of what can be achieved when technology and finance seamlessly integrate. We are fueled by purpose and growth, and with you on board, we will reach new heights in achieving our lofty goals.

How you will thrive at Climate First Bank

At Climate First Bank, we’re not just building a better future for the planet — we’re also investing in yours. We offer a comprehensive, people-first benefits package that supports your health, finances, and work-life balance.

Health Coverage — 100% Paid by Us (employee coverage, employer contribution towards dependents)

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance — fully covered for employees
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with tax advantages and generous contribution limits
• Free Telemedicine access via Teladoc

Financial Wellness & Wealth Building

• 401(k) with 6% Employer Match — start saving for retirement with a strong head start and no vesting period.
• Employee Stock Options and Grants — share in the success you help create.
  • Exclusive Employee Banking Perks — including employee only account and loan products.
  • 0% Financing for Employee Solar Loans — power your home sustainably.
  • 0% Financing for Eligible Electric Vehicles (EVs) — drive the change you believe in.
  • Referral Incentives — earn rewards for bringing great people to the team.

Generous Paid Time Off

• 2–4 Weeks of Vacation for full time employees based on officer level. Additional vacation policies applicable after the first full year of tenure.
• 64 Hours of Paid Sick Time for all full-time employees.

Protection & Peace of Mind

• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life, Accident & Critical Illness Coverage

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling, legal, and financial services
  

What to expect as an SBA Underwriter:

You’re about to embark on a bold, challenging, and game-changing journey. By joining our growing SBA Operations team, you will help redefine what community banking means — meaningful impact fueled by providing well supported credit recommendations and expertly structured SBA loans — all while upholding SBA SOP standards and underwriting best practices.

As an SBA Underwriter, you’ll be the driving force behind helping entrepreneurs secure the funding they need to grow, innovate, and thrive. This role is a unique blend of analytical expertise, strategic thinking, and relationship-building—perfect for someone who loves solving financial puzzles and making a difference. You’ll serve as the key connection between our SBA Lending team, borrowers, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, ensuring every loan is structured for success and aligned with SBA guidelines.

What You’ll Contribute in This Role:

• Nothing Gets Past You You analyze loan applications from small and mid-size commercial businesses and professional practices based on current SBA guidelines. You masterfully handle loan sizes from $200,000 to $5,000,000, including loans to purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate, equipment, business and professional practice acquisitions, business expansions and debt refinancing. You love diving deep into financials, expertly review and evaluate third-party reports, assess credit worthiness with sound judgement and conduct your work deeply rooted in conventional judgement analysis. You have the knowledge and experience to structure deals that balance opportunity and risk and make confident and sound recommendations.
• Proceed with Purpose You’ll manage the underwriting process proactively by providing borrowers with detailed requests for credit approval including financial statement analysis, business history, collateral adequacy, credit background & management’s ability in order to determine credit worthiness. You understand your role as a liaison between credit administration, the sales team and the borrower. As directed, you will also help manage the loan portfolio through annual reviews, renewal of existing credit facilities, monitoring financial and covenant compliance, and servicing modification requests.
• Champion our Mission fiercely and passionately You’ll adopt and practice a commitment to social, economic, environmental, and racial justice. You will apply curiosity and interest in our core values and pursue education related to sustainability practices.
• Protect our Organization and our Customers You understand that properly identifying and mitigating credit weaknesses and policy exceptions protects not only your work but first and foremost the organization AND the borrower. You take great pride in determining and assigning suitable credit risk ratings. You will be sure to quickly pursue and demonstrate an understanding of established Bank policies, procedures, and regulations- and will diligently follow them at all times. Recognizing the importance of protecting the organization and our customers, you will question suspicious activity and stay in close collaboration with our Compliance department to ensure proper investigation and processing of potentially fraudulent activity. You will stay informed on legal context and regulatory requirements and prioritize completing all web-based compliance and IT training.

What You’ll Leverage in this Role:

• Your Experience and Education This isn’t your first rodeo in SBA underwriting, and you know the SBA SOP and SBA products like the back of your hand. You analyze and interpret financials and reports with expert level attention to detail and have deep expertise in structuring SBA loans. But, while you’ve gained experience in the past, you know that each financial institution is different, and you have maintained your curiosity for the job. Your experience is founded on technical knowledge, preferably through a bachelor’s degree in finance or equivalent education and formal credit training.

• Your Entrepreneurial Self-Starter Mentality You love taking charge of your work product and take great pride in delivering consistently great results. Once you know what is expected of you, you run with — and know when to slow down and ask for help. You understand what it takes to bring tasks to completion, have the ability to anticipate and mitigate slowdowns and have a unique ability to balance efficiency and attention to detail. A high-pace and high-expectation environment excites you and you can’t wait to push yourself to new professional heights in a company that rewards high performance.
• Your Master Communicator Expertise Whether it’s on camera, phone, or chat—you’re confident, concise, and professional. You listen deeply and respond thoughtfully.
• Your Banking Acumen You understand banking and SBA lending deeply and can easily spot opportunities for process improvements. You are also a compliance wiz, have excellent knowledge of regulatory requirements — and you’re ready to put that knowledge to work.
• Your Tech-Forward Thinking You’re quick to learn new tools and excited by innovation.
• Your Organization & Efficiency Guru Status You manage your time like a pro, stay focused under pressure, and keep your workflow humming. You love putting your head down and getting into the groove but also appreciate changing routines. You’re a master note-taker and checklist fanatic and consider “dropped balls” a four-letter word.
• Your Commitment to Being a Team Player You lift others up, share ideas, and bring positive energy to everything you do.

How We Work Together at Climate First Bank

At Climate First Bank, we believe that how we work is just as important as what we do. Every team member is expected to deliver high-quality results on time—whether independently or in collaboration with others. You’ll be part of a supportive, mission-driven team where professionalism, communication, and collaboration are key to our collective success.