Director, Credit and Underwriting – Equipment Finance

Role Overview

• Develop and implement the overall credit philosophy, underwriting framework, and risk appetite for the Equipment Finance platform
• Establish credit policies, underwriting guidelines, and approval authorities consistent with Forbright Bank’s enterprise risk framework
• Ensure disciplined risk selection across equipment types, industries, obligor profiles, transaction structures, and sponsor relationships
• Partner with executive leadership to define target markets, concentration limits, return thresholds, and portfolio construction strategy
• Monitor macroeconomic trends, industry performance, collateral dynamics, and regulatory developments impacting equipment finance
• Maintain strong alignment with regulatory expectations and internal audit standards
• Oversee all underwriting activities including new originations, amendments, renewals, and refinancings
• Provide final credit review and approval (within authority) on transactions including loans, leases, structured equipment financings, and asset-based structures
• Review and challenge underwriting memos, financial models, risk ratings, and sensitivity analyses to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Ensure appropriate diligence on obligors, sponsors, collateral, residual values, industry risks, and structural protections
• Lead structuring discussions to optimize credit protection, documentation, pricing, and covenant packages
• Present and advocate transactions to Credit Committee and senior management
• Partner with Portfolio Management to monitor asset quality, trends, and early warning indicators
• Oversee risk rating integrity and periodic credit reviews
• Proactively identify emerging risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Lead strategy discussions on amendments, restructurings, and potential workout situations
• Ensure strong documentation standards and covenant compliance monitoring
• Design and implement scalable underwriting processes to support growth of the Equipment Finance platform
• Drive efficiency through workflow optimization, credit systems enhancements, and reporting automation
• Establish portfolio analytics, risk dashboards, and management reporting frameworks
• Develop standard templates for credit memoranda, financial modeling, and approval documentation
• Partner with Technology and Operations to enhance origination systems and data infrastructure
• Serve as a strategic partner to the Managing Director in balancing growth objectives with prudent risk management
• Collaborate on pricing strategy, funding considerations, and capital allocation
• Engage with external stakeholders including sponsors, large borrowers, and syndication partners as needed
• Participate in enterprise-wide risk discussions and contribute to broader credit policy initiatives at the Bank level
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree or other advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 8 years of commercial finance, equipment finance, structured lending, or asset-based lending experience required
• Minimum of 1 year of manager experience preferred
• Extensive experience in equipment leasing and lending structures across diverse asset classes
• Demonstrated success leading senior underwriting or credit teams
• Experience operating within a regulated banking environment is strongly preferred
• Prior Credit Committee experience and delegated lending authority preferred
• Deep expertise in: Equipment finance credit underwriting/ Collateral valuation and residual risk analysis/ Financial statement analysis and cash flow modeling /Structured transactions and sponsor-backed credits/ Risk rating frameworks and portfolio analytics
• Strong knowledge of documentation standards, covenant structuring, and regulatory credit requirements
• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling and credit analytics tools
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance growth and risk
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Independent judgment with disciplined decision-making under uncertainty
• High integrity and commitment to credit culture excellence
• Collaborative leader who thrives in a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial banking environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Outstanding problem-solving and time management skills
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and results-oriented
• Adaptable and able to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Can work independently and within a team; solution-oriented with a collaborative approach

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
• 4 weeks PTO
• 401k + company match
• Metro SmartTrip benefits ($50/mo)
• Remote or hybrid work schedules for most positions
• Incentives for purchasing solar panels, electric vehicles, biking to work, etc.
• Paid subscriptions to Veterans Compost, Capital Bikeshare, Imperfect Foods reimbursement, and more!
• Best Workplaces for Commuters 2023 & 2024 winner
• The Washington Post Top Workplaces 2023, 2024, and 2025 winner
• American Banker Best Banks to Work For 2023 winner