First Western
Direct Greenhouse career site

Senior Credit Approver

Pay
$86,000 – $124,600 per year
Location
Denver, CO · On-site
Job type
Full-time
Level
Lead / Staff
Education
Bachelor's degree
Listed
20 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • Commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage underwriting
  • Evaluation of complex credit structures
  • Independent credit approval within delegated authority
  • Dual risk rating review
  • Pre-closing credit condition verification

Also useful

  • Mentoring and coaching credit analysts
  • Portfolio trend identification
  • Credit policy and procedure recommendations

About the role

Location: Denver, CO (In-Office)

Job Type: Full-Time Exempt

Salary

$86,000 - $124,600/YR *Actual offer will be based on experience, location, education, and/or skills*

Applications should be submitted for consideration no later than 10/31/2026.

Who We're Looking For

You are an experienced credit professional with deep expertise in commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage underwriting. You are comfortable evaluating complex credit structures, exercising sound judgment, and providing independent challenge while maintaining collaborative relationships across the organization. You enjoy mentoring others, promoting strong credit practices, and helping maintain a high-quality loan portfolio. Your analytical skills, risk management mindset, and ability to navigate complex lending situations make you a trusted partner and advisor.

About the Role

The Senior Credit Approver is responsible for the independent approval of complex consumer, commercial, and residential mortgage credit requests within delegated lending authority while promoting sound portfolio risk management across the organization.

This role performs one-up reviews of credit decisions, evaluates complex credit structures and policy exceptions, validates risk ratings and underwriting quality, and ensures approved loans satisfy all credit conditions, regulatory requirements, and policy standards prior to closing.

The Senior Credit Approver serves as a subject matter expert, provides guidance and mentorship to analysts and junior approvers, supports the consistent application of credit policy and risk practices, identifies emerging portfolio trends and risks, and partners with lending and credit leadership to maintain a strong credit culture and overall portfolio quality.

What You'll Do

  • Independently approve complex consumer, commercial, and residential mortgage loan requests within assigned lending authority limits. Partner with PC associates, lenders, and Credit Administration to facilitate timely and efficient movement from approval through documentation and closing.
  • Perform one-up reviews of credit decisions made by lower delegated authorities, providing independent challenge, guidance, and oversight to ensure sound underwriting and adherence to credit policy.
  • Conduct post-approval, pre-closing reviews of complex transactions to verify satisfaction of approval conditions, policy requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Perform and validate dual risk rating reviews at origination, ensuring consistency in risk assessment and accuracy of portfolio risk ratings.
  • Serve as a mentor and subject matter expert for Credit Analysts and Credit Approvers by supporting onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing professional development.
  • Provide recommendations for the development, enhancement, and maintenance of credit policies, underwriting standards, procedures, and risk management practices.
  • Partner with lending teams, Credit Administration, and senior leadership to structure, evaluate, and resolve complex underwriting matters, policy exceptions, and high-impact credit transactions.
  • Identify emerging portfolio risks, underwriting trends, and credit quality concerns, escalating issues and recommending appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
  • Support portfolio management initiatives through ongoing review of credit quality, risk exposure, and compliance with established credit standards.

What You Bring

  • Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or related field required.
  • 7-10 years of Commercial, Consumer, and/or Mortgage Credit Underwriting and Analysis experience required.
  • 3-5 years of Credit Approval or Delegated Lending Authority Experience preferred.
  • 3-5 years of Training, Mentoring, or Leadership Responsibilities within Credit Functions preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage lending principles.
  • Thorough understanding of financial statement analysis, cash flow analysis, global cash flow, collateral analysis, and credit structuring.
  • Knowledge of regulatory guidance, banking compliance requirements, and risk management practices.
  • Ability to coach and train less experienced analysts and lenders.
  • Proficiency with loan origination systems, financial spreading software, and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Formal Commercial Credit Training (e.g., RMA, Moody's, or equivalent) preferred.

What We Offer

  • Competitive base salary: $86,000 - $124,600/YR, plus strong bonus potential.
  • 401(k) plan with employer match.
  • Paid parking and transportation benefits.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including:
  • Health savings accounts (HSA)
  • Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Generous paid time off and bank holidays.
  • Access to training and professional development programs.
  • Sponsorship and support for obtaining professional certifications.
  • A culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared success.

We expect our people to

  • Demand and reward excellence.
  • Take action and responsibility.
  • Collaborate, communicate openly, and give/receive feedback with trust.
  • Go above and beyond to do what's right-always.

If that sounds like you, you'll fit right in.

Region A Pay Range

Pay Range $86,000—$124,600 USD

Who We Are

At First Western Trust, we're more than just a financial institution-we're a team of forward-thinkers committed to excellence, innovation, and impact. Our culture thrives on teamwork and mutual respect, grounded in the belief that diverse perspectives fuel creativity and help us tackle challenges in fresh, effective ways.

We celebrate each other's successes, welcome new ideas, and take personal ownership in everything we do. A genuine desire to positively impact our clients, communities, and one another drives our work. We meet challenges with a growth mindset, act with urgency and accountability, and constantly strive to raise the bar for ourselves and our clients.

Leadership at First Western means setting an example and fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and respect. Whether you're just beginning your journey or bringing years of experience, you'll find a welcoming community where your contributions are valued and your potential is boundless.

Read the original posting

From First Western's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 21, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

How Rolev.ai helps with this application

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Common questions

What is the salary for the Senior Credit Approver role at First Western?

The Senior Credit Approver posting at First Western states compensation of $86,000 – $124,600 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on First Western's official career site.

Where is the Senior Credit Approver job at First Western located?

This Senior Credit Approver position at First Western is located in Denver, CO (On-site). Always check First Western's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Senior Credit Approver at First Western?

For the Senior Credit Approver role, First Western highlights a bachelor's degree; experience with Commercial, consumer, and residential mortgage underwriting, Evaluation of complex credit structures, Independent credit approval within delegated authority, Dual risk rating review, Pre-closing credit condition verification. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Senior Credit Approver position at First Western?

This listing links directly to First Western's Greenhouse application page. You can apply directly on First Western's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Greenhouse application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.