CRE Underwriter

Job Locations US-WI-Milwaukee | US-IL-Chicago | US-IL-Chicago | US-MN-St Louis Park | US-WI-Madison
Category/Function
Lending/Commercial/Consumer/Credit
Position Type
Regular Full-Time
Requisition ID
2026-20924
Workplace Type
On Site

Overview

Old National Bank has been serving clients and communities since 1834. With over $70 billion in total assets, we are a regional powerhouse deeply rooted in the communities we serve. As a trusted partner, we thrive on helping our clients achieve their goals and dreams, and we are committed to social responsibility and investing in our communities through volunteering and charitable giving. 

 

We continually seek highly motivated and talented individuals as our people are critical to our success. In return, we offer competitive compensation with our salary and incentive program, in addition to medical, dental, and vision insurance.  401K, continuing education opportunities and an employee assistance program are also included in our benefit suite. Old National also offers a variety of Impact Network Groups led by team members who are passionate about driving engagement, creating awareness of diverse backgrounds and experiences, and building inclusion across the organization.  We offer a unique opportunity to join a growing, community and client-focused company that is firmly rooted in its core values.

Responsibilities

A Credit Center Underwriter has the primary responsibility of analyzing and decisioning loans with Total Credit Exposure between $0 and $3 million while balancing risk and growth.  Responsibilities and accountabilities include ensuring loan structures are appropriate and consistent with bank lending standards, assigning an appropriate asset quality rating, completing an appropriate level of underwriting for the risk and size of the loan opportunity, and decisioning applications with assigned lending authority in a fast-paced high volume environment.  A Credit Center Underwriter will collaborate with Business Bankers and Commercial Segment Relationship Managers, internal support staff, and others to provide credit expertise and support the commercial loan origination and review process.

 

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $83,300 - $168,400 per year plus bonus. The base salary indicated for this position reflects the compensation range applicable to all levels of the role across the United States. Actual salary offers within this range may vary based on a number of factors, including the specific responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s relevant skills and professional experience, educational qualifications, and geographic location.  

Office locations include 8750 West Bryn Mawr, Chicago (near Rosemont and close to Cumberland Blue Line station), Lincoln Park, Milwaukee Huron building, Madison WI Capital Square, and Minneapolis St Paul MN.

 

 

Key Accountabilities

Underwrite and Decision Loans

  • Underwrite and decision renewals and new credit requests focusing on appropriate due diligent, risk assessment and asset quality ratings (AQR)
  • Meet quality standards as outlined in ONB underwriting guidelines and policy; evaluation by Loan Review, OCC, and/or others may identify unacceptable underwriting or inaccurate asset quality ratings (AQR)
  • Meet or exceed productivity expectations for annual credit approval memorandum (CAM) volume
  • Make prudent credit decisions balancing risk and growth; utilize assigned lending authority based on approval authority matrix to exercise granted authority confidently, independently via problem solving/sound decision making and with integrity
  • Produce a high quality and accurate analysis while also not sacrificing efficiency in a fast-paced, high volume environment juggling multiple requests while adhering to client driven response timelines, etc. 

Work Collaboratively with Business Bankers, Relationship Managers, internal support staff and teammates

  • Provide credit expertise using a consultative approach; assist in structuring loans applying proficient knowledge, understanding, and application of ONB guidelines/standards/policies, risk assessment and analysis; effectively communicate risks, questions, and options to RM seeking win-win solutions.
  • Deliver exceptional internal customer service and adopt new processes and new tools, as available.
  • Develop and enhance knowledge of common types of requests including C&I, small non-owner occupied commercial real estate, and non-for profits by leveraging internal and external resources and expertise
  • Partner well with associates on revenue generating sales team, support teams and others.
  • Work closely with teammates to maintain a group email box, manage application pipeline, complete ad hoc administrative tasks, and participate in projects as needed. 

Additional Accountabilities (Senior Credit Center Underwriter)

  • Viewed as the “right hand” of the Underwriting Team Lead to assist in:
    • Reviewing and decisioning, when applicable, escalated applications for other Underwriters when a Team Lead is unavailable
    • Assist Underwriters in conflict resolution/working toward win-win solutions amongst Business Bankers, Commercial Relationship Managers and internal support staff
    • Train and develop less experienced UW’s as opportunities arise
  • Highly proficient in key accountabilities above (highly productive, exceptional quality and accuracy, deep and expansive understanding and familiarity with ONB loan policies, guidelines and standards, ability to think and operate independently to ensure risks are mitigated appropriately, etc.)
  • Is assigned special projects at the discretion of the department manager and may be asked to contribute to department wide responsibilities including, but not limited to, problem loan reporting, delinquency management, and covenant violation resolution
  • Possess or is developing leadership competencies required for a management role. Maintains CAM production levels on par with other underwriting staff while also fulfilling the duties mentioned above. 

Additional Accountabilities (Underwriting Manager)

  • Viewed as the “right hand” of the Underwriting Executive to assist in:
    • Reviewing and decisioning, when applicable, escalated applications for other Underwriters
    • Assist Underwriters in conflict resolution/working toward win-win solutions amongst Business Bankers, Commercial Relationship Managers and internal support staff
    • Train and develop less experienced UW’s as opportunities arise
  • Highly proficient in key accountabilities above (highly productive, exceptional quality and accuracy, deep and expansive understanding and familiarity with ONB loan policies, guidelines and standards, ability to think and operate independently to ensure risks are mitigated appropriately, etc.)
  • Fills in for department manager when absent
  • Is assigned special projects at the discretion of the manager and may be asked to contribute to department wide responsibilities including, but not limited to, problem loan reporting, delinquency management, and covenant violation resolution
  • Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence and ability to resolve disagreements between credit and production members in a collaborative manner.
  • Underwriting Managers will be assigned direct reports. As a result, CAM production targets are halved vs. other team members.
  • May require some travel to meet in direct reports in person

Both Senior Underwriters and Underwriting Managers will be granted equal loan approval authority and also possess similar experience and skillsets with respect to credit analyses, bank guidelines, and procedures.  The primary difference will be the added responsibility for direct reports (Underwriting Managers) vs. higher CAM production targets (Senior UW).

 

Key Competencies for Position – Individual Contributor

Makes Decisions & Solves Problems – Seeks deeper understanding and takes action.  

  • Takes ownership of the problem while collaborating with others on a resolution with an appropriate level of urgency.
  • Collaborates and seeks to understands the root causes of problems.
  • Evaluates the implications of new information or events and recommends solutions using decisions that are sound based on what is known at the time.
  • Takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints and probable consequences. 

Compelling Communication – Openly and effectively communicates with others.  

  • Effectively and transparently shares information and ideas with others.
  • Tailors the delivery of communication in a way that engages the audience and that is easy to understand and retain.
  • Unites others towards common goal.
  • Asks for others' opinions and ideas and listens actively to gain their support when clarifying expectations, agreeing on a solution and checking for satisfaction. 

Develops Talent – Strengthen your abilities for today and beyond. 

  • You own your own development and your career.
  • Actively assesses self feedback to enhance knowledge, skills and behaviors.
  • Leverages own strengths and those of team members to meet individual and team goals supporting both internal and external client needs.
  • Continuously develops self for current and future roles. 

Personifies ONB Culture – Demonstrates pride in ONB.  

  • Consistently demonstrates Old National's culture and values in daily interactions.
  • Models our values – how we show up in the workplace.
  • Places the organization's goals before individual or team goals.
  • Demonstrates the desire to be part of something beyond themselves by investing time, heart, and expertise to help clients and communities thrive. 

Key Competencies for Position – People Leader

Personifies ONB Culture - Leads by example and influences team to exemplify what it means to live ONB Culture.

  • Holds team and self accountable to demonstrating Old National's culture
  • Holds self and team member accountable to model our values.
  • Places the organization's goals before individual or team goals
  • Focuses team’s efforts towards common good and connects them to the broader organization by investing time, heart, and expertise to help clients and communities thrive.

Makes Decisions & Solves Problems - Seeks deeper understanding, identifies alternative solutions, and drives sound decisions.

  • Identifies, evaluates, and owns problems and opportunities along with possible solutions through effective collaboration.
  • Collaborates and seeks to identify what caused the issue, comparing data from different sources within Old National to draw conclusions.
  • Uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions resulting in sound decisions.
  • Implements appropriate solutions and evaluates results within team.

Compelling Communication - Supports transparent and open communication.

  • Seeks to understand the strategy first and then offer context to your team providing relevant information in a transparent and concise way.
  • Presents ideas using data that support the objective of messages in a logical order to aid in understanding while flexing to the individual or group’s style and expectations.
  • Checks for understanding and adjusts communication to provide clarity.
  • Listens carefully to concerns and acknowledges the situation and the feelings expressed to build trust and overcome resistance.

Develops Talent - Maximizes capabilities within team.

  • Develops team members' effectiveness in their current and future roles through development activities.
  • Identifies issues, continuously provides coaching, mentoring, feedback and support to aid in building trust, development and promotability.
  • Cultivates an environment of trust and optimizes talents and capabilities of team.
  • Identifies the right people for the right role while leveraging diversity. 

Qualifications and Education Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field OR equivalent experience.
  • Ability to independently/with limited oversight analyze and interpret financial statements and understand basic accounting principles.
  • Understands and takes appropriate action related to risks associated with lending to various types of industries.
  • Basic knowledge of loan structuring, borrowing causes and lending regulations; ability to comply and conform to ONB lending policies, guidelines and standards
  • Must be able to make sound independent decisions and communicate those decisions clearly and effectively to the internal client quickly given the high volume, fast-paced environment
  • Must be able to actively listen, quickly identify issues as well as opportunities when they arise, and problem solve in real-time to move the work accordingly
  • Must feel comfortable working in a collaborative team environment along with being an independent thinker.

Old National is proud to be an equal opportunity employer focused on fostering an inclusive workplace and committed to hiring a workforce comprised of diverse backgrounds, cultures and thinking styles. 

 

As such, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. 

 

We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have an agreement signed by the Director of Talent Acquisition, SVP, to fill a specific position.

 

Our culture is firmly rooted in our core values.

We are optimistic. We are collaborative. We are inclusive. We are agile. We are ethical.

We are Old National Bank.  Join our team!

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