Career Opportunities with Avana Companies
A great place to work.
Career Opportunities with Avana Companies
A great place to work.
As a people-first organization, AVANA Companies is the sum of our team members. Our team is the heart of our organization, across all our brands. Given everything they bring to the table, our goal is to enrich their lives as much as we enrich the lives of our clients and partners. At the end of the day, our passion is our people, and our purpose is to deliver Capital for a Better Tomorrow. As a united team, we passionately pursue that purpose – ultimately creating a lasting impression on our own lives and the lives of people around the world. We’re lucky that every day we get to collaborate and work together to accomplish that. It’s one of the many factors that make us a family of companies.
Want to learn more about how you can join our family? View our openings below and be sure to check back often, as our family is constantly growing!
| Department: | Credit |
| Location: | Peoria, AZ |
Location: Peoria, AZ (on-site/hybrid) — Remote also considered in OR, WA, TX and UT
Department: Credit / Underwriting
Reports To: VP of Credit / Chief Credit Officer
AVANA Companies is seeking an experienced Senior Loan Underwriter to evaluate, structure, and recommend commercial real estate and small business loans for approval. This role requires strong financial analysis skills, sound credit judgment, and the ability to manage a pipeline of complex deals from application through closing. The ideal candidate has deep experience underwriting CRE and/or SBA/USDA loans and is comfortable working cross-functionally with sales, credit committee, and closing teams.
Key Responsibilities
Prepare clear, well-supported credit memos and present recommendations to credit committee
Order, review, and interpret appraisals, environmental reports, title reports, and other due diligence documentation
Ensure loans are underwritten in compliance with internal policy, investor requirements, and relevant regulatory guidelines (e.g., SBA SOPs, USDA guidelines)
Collaborate with loan officers/originators to structure deals during the pre-application stage and clarify conditions during underwriting
Partner with closing, legal, and servicing teams to ensure a smooth handoff from approval to closing
Identify and escalate credit risks, policy exceptions, and red flags throughout the underwriting process
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior underwriters and analysts
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CRE market conditions, industry trends, and changes to SBA/USDA program requirements
Manage a pipeline of active files, meeting turn-time expectations and service-level standards
Qualifications Required:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field (or equivalent experience)
5+ years of commercial real estate and/or small business loan underwriting experience
Strong working knowledge of SBA 7(a)/504 and/or USDA B&I loan programs or conventional CRE loan products strongly preferred
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial statements, tax returns, and cash flow projections
Solid understanding of commercial real estate valuation, market analysis, and collateral risk assessment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including credit memo writing and committee presentation
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple files simultaneously
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and loan origination/underwriting software
Preferred:
Formal credit training (bank-sponsored credit training program or equivalent)
Experience with construction, bridge, or owner-occupied CRE lending
Strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills, familiarity with Acumatica ERP and HubSpot CRM, and demonstrated experience applying AI tools to streamline analysis, documentation, or workflow tasks.
Prior experience mentoring or leading junior underwriting staff.
This role may be performed remotely in OR, WA, TX and UT. This is a preference, not a hard requirement, and candidates in other states may still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Remote employees are expected to maintain reliable high-speed internet, a dedicated workspace, and availability during core business hours (Arizona time). Occasional travel to the Peoria, AZ office may be required for team meetings, training, or credit committee sessions.
Salary Range: $90,000 – $120,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.
Benefits: Employees in this role are eligible for:
AVANA Companies is a diversified financial services organization specializing in commercial real estate and small business lending, including SBA, USDA, and conventional CRE loan products. We help business owners and developers access the capital they need to grow, combining rigorous credit discipline with a client-focused, high-touch lending experience.
