Description
Position Summary
The SBA Loan Closer is responsible for managing the end-to-end closing process for SBA-guaranteed loans across all underwriting channels, from credit approval through funding and booking. This role ensures that all loan documentation, due diligence, and closing conditions comply with SBA SOPs, credit approval, bank policy, and regulatory requirements. The Closer serves as the central point of coordination among internal partners, external legal counsel, and third-party vendors to deliver timely, accurate, and compliant loan closings.
While the position may support secondary market activities as needed, the primary focus is on sound SBA loan closing execution, documentation quality, and program integrity.
Primary Responsibilities
Loan Closing & Documentation
Review approved credit memos to interpret structure, conditions, and SBA eligibility requirements and translate them into comprehensive closing checklists.
Prepare and/or review SBA-specific documents, including SBA Authorizations and related internal forms, ensuring alignment with credit approval, SBA SOP, and bank policy.
Direct and manage external counsel throughout the loan closing process, resolving documentation issues efficiently and escalating material risks when appropriate.
Perform quality control reviews of all closing documents prepared by outside counsel to ensure accuracy, enforceability, and adherence to SBA and bank standards.
Coordinate satisfaction of pre-closing and post-closing conditions, ensuring all requirements are met prior to funding and booking.
Due Diligence & Coordination
Order, review, and validate required third-party due diligence (e.g., lien searches, title, insurance, flood, appraisals, and zoning as applicable).
Act as the central liaison among Relationship Managers, Underwriting, Credit Risk, Portfolio Management, Loan Operations, and Legal to drive timely closings.
Partner closely with Commercial Loan Operations to ensure accurate loan setup, booking, and funding.
SBA Compliance & Subject Matter Expertise
Serve as an SBA Subject Matter Expert for assigned underwriting channels, providing guidance on SBA SOP interpretation and program requirements.
Coordinate with internal business partners to maintain SBA program integrity throughout the closing process.
Support internal audits, loan reviews, and regulatory exams by providing documentation and responding to inquiries related to closed loans.
Secondary Market & Post-Closing Support (As Applicable)
Support secondary market execution activities for SBA loans as needed, including coordination with internal teams, vendors, and the SBA's fiscal and regulatory agents.
Assist with loan sale documentation, tracking, and rebooking in partnership with Loan Operations when loans are sold.
Process SBA loan modifications and support secondary market buybacks when required, ensuring accurate documentation and system updates.
Process Improvement & Controls
Maintain documented procedures for assigned responsibilities and recommend enhancements to improve efficiency, controls, and borrower experience.
Track loan status, closing timelines, and exception items; prepare ad hoc reporting as needed.
Identify trends, risks, and recurring issues and propose corrective actions to management.
Qualifications, Skills,
Demonstrated experience closing SBA 7(a) and/or 504 loans, including strong knowledge of SBA SOP requirements.
Proven ability to manage complex loan closings with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
Strong attention to detail with a high level of documentation and compliance discipline.
Effective communicator with the confidence to lead external counsel and internal partners through issue resolution.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and appropriately escalate risk-related matters.
Experience with secondary market SBA loan sales is beneficial but not required.
Education
Bachelor's degree preferred but not required; comparable, directly related SBA loan closing experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Hours & Work Schedule
Hours per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Mon- Fri, 8am to 5pm
Pay Transparency
The salary range for this position is $73,000 - $94,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.
We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens' paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits
Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent's reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.
Why Work for Us
At Citizens, you'll find a customer-centric culture built around helping our customers and giving back to our local communities. When you join our team, you are part of a supportive and collaborative workforce, with access to training and tools to accelerate your potential and maximize your career growth
Background Check
Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.
05/13/2026
