Credit Underwriter

Title: Credit Underwriter

Location: Paso Robles, CA

Job Description:

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a Credit Underwriter II or Credit Underwriter III (internally known as Credit Analyst) to join our California Lending and Insurance department in Paso Robles, California. This full-time position reports to the VP, Credit and provides sound, constructive, credit and related services, typically supporting average to above average loan portfolios involving simple to moderately complex credits.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Paso Robles, California is:

Level II: 
Typical starting range: $72,600 - $97,800
Full base salary range: $72,600 - $110,400
Annual performance-based incentive target is 12% of base.

Level III:
Typical starting range: $80,000 - $110,100
Full base salary range: $80,000 - $137,800
Annual performance-based incentive target is 15% of base.

*Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who must relocate to accept this position. 

Essential Duties

• Gather financial and business related information from customers, prospects and other available resources through personal interviews, phone interviews, and other information resources.


• Analyze financial statements, including opinions and notes, tax records, “in house” prepared financial statements and pro forma statements.


• Analyze credit and prepare analysis on small and medium size portfolios; submit sound credit analysis and recommendations for review.


• Comply with AgWest documentation expectations, procedures, laws and regulations.


• Support customer relationships through marketing and servicing financially related products by communicating with customers, their professional representatives and employees at the branch office or customer locations.


• Effectively participate in the Large Loan process as needed to provide high quality products to be delivered within the agreed time frames and within the risk parameters acceptable to AgWest.


• Complete farm visits, collateral inspections and document observations. This requires transportation to and from the operation, visually inspecting the condition and valuation of loan collateral.


• Conduct research of agricultural and related industries and commodities to determine viability, trends and opportunities for AgWest to strengthen its position.


• Establish rapport with and develop/maintain confidence of customers and prospective customers.


• Represent AgWest at public relations events by joining or actively supporting appropriate agricultural organizations, civic groups or commodity groups and actively participating in sponsored events and programs.


• Accurately classify and identify appropriate charge-off reserves, cash income accounting and allowances on assigned loans.


• Perform credit investigations on applicants including public record searches, credit bureau reports, employment and income verification and asset and liability verification.


• Participate in loan closings by ensuring the appropriate documentation is completed and understood by the customer.


• Ensure effective and accurate credit administration through coordination with relationship managers and others.


• Participate in assigned industry teams or industry task forces as needed; assist teams with detailed industry studies and the organization of industry specific customer educational events.


• Effectively work with customers and collaborate with other AgWest teams to make referrals and cross-sell products, to meet customer needs.


• May serve as a trainer or mentor in the organization.


• May participate in organization-wide initiatives as requested or directed.


• Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls.


• Other duties as assigned.


 

Travel Requirements

• AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all-staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role.


 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or ag related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience


• Generally, requires 1-2 years accounting or financial industry experience


• Understanding of applicable credit laws and regulations, and bankruptcy law and collection procedures


• Ability to market, sell, and effectively negotiate terms on AgWest products, including loan programs, interest rate programs, and financially related services, both verbally and in writing


• Knowledge of appraisal techniques and principles


• Thorough knowledge of credit classifications and sound loan administration practices


 

Preferred Qualifications

• Agricultural background


• Advanced knowledge of AgWest's policies and procedures


• Advanced knowledge of AgWest's products and services and how they are delivered


 

Workplace Flexibility

• After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend.


• This position is eligible for coordinated hybrid flexibility


 

Benefits Offered by AgWest

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 


• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)


• Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer


• 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution)


• Employee Assistance Program


• Wellness Program


• Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest! 


 

*Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure.

Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available.

Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

When you apply for a position with AgWest Farm Credit, we collect personal identifiers (from your resume and other application information you submit), such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number(s) and employment and education related information. This helps us evaluate job applicants for hiring opportunities, and, communicate with them. 

To comply with federal regulations for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA), we track our applicants by gender, race/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, and the position for which they applied. You will be presented with a voluntary self-identification form as part of this application; we wanted you to know why we collect this information and what we do with it.  Please be aware that this information is kept separate from your application, and not utilized in the selection process. 

For more information about the information AgWest Farm Credit collects, please see the AgWest Farm Credit California Privacy Policy.