SBA 504 Liaison

Description

Summary:

The SBA 504 Credit Liaison is an internal advisory and coordination resource that supports consistent identification, evaluation, routing, and execution of potential SBA 504 opportunities. The role provides product-fit guidance, preliminary eligibility support, process discipline, and issue escalation for assigned markets while remaining neutral as to whether a customer ultimately uses SBA 504, SBA 7(a), a combined structure, or conventional financing.

Working alongside Relationship Managers, Business Development Officers, SBA Product Specialists, Credit, Underwriting, Operations, Closing, Servicing, and Certified Development Companies (CDCs), the Credit Liaison helps clarify responsibilities, improve handoffs, and reduce avoidable delays. The role supports bankers and control partners but does not independently own the client relationship, maintain a personal sales pipeline, or function as the primary originator of SBA loans.

Duties and Responsibilities:

- Product-Fit Review and Referral Triage (25%) Review referred opportunities to determine whether SBA 504 should be considered and whether additional product comparison is needed.
- Provide preliminary guidance regarding program fit, eligible uses of proceeds, borrower contribution, collateral structure, project costs, owner occupancy, and other relevant SBA considerations.
- Help document the rationale for the recommended financing path when more than one product may be appropriate.
- Route opportunities to the appropriate Relationship Manager, SBA Product Specialist, Credit, Underwriting, or operating partner based on the transaction structure and defined workflow.
- Maintain neutrality in product discussions and elevate potential product-fit, policy, or process concerns to the appropriate decision-maker.

- Market Enablement and Training (25%) Serve as an accessible technical resource for Relationship Managers, Business Development Officers, SBA Product Specialists, and support teams.
- Deliver targeted education on referral triggers, product distinctions, eligibility considerations, documentation expectations, and process responsibilities.
- Communicate approved program, policy, workflow, and operating updates to affected partners.
- Develop and maintain practical reference materials, job aids, frequently asked questions, and examples in partnership with the appropriate subject matter owners.
- Support market readiness and adoption through office hours, case reviews, and structured feedback rather than outbound prospecting or individual sales activity.

- Process Coordination and Quality Review (20%) Promote consistent use of approved 504 intake, product-fit, workflow, and closing tools.
- Confirm that required reviews, handoffs, and documentation are completed at the appropriate stage before an opportunity advances.
- Identify recurring process gaps, unclear role ownership, or training needs and recommend practical improvements to management.
- Contribute to standardized guidance for CDC engagement, renovation or construction scenarios, companion loans, and other recurring transaction types.
- Support post-close or retrospective reviews intended to improve process quality, consistency, and readiness for future transactions.

- Credit and Transaction Support (15%) Assist bankers and SBA specialists in organizing transaction information needed for early credit and eligibility review, including sources and uses, project costs, equity contribution, collateral, and key approval considerations.
- Provide consultative support on SBA 504 structures and companion financing without exercising independent credit approval authority unless separately delegated.
- Coordinate with Credit and Underwriting to clarify information needs, approval conditions, exceptions, and ownership of next steps.
- Partner with CDCs and internal teams to resolve eligibility, documentation, timing, and process questions.
- Monitor referred transactions through defined checkpoints and escalate stalled items, unclear handoffs, or recurring execution issues.

- CDC and Internal Partner Coordination (10%) Maintain working relationships with approved or commonly used CDC partners to support efficient transaction coordination and consistent communication.
- Help bankers identify the appropriate CDC contact based on geography, transaction needs, and established guidance.
- Coordinate across SBA Sales, Regional Banking, Credit, Underwriting, Operations, Closing, Servicing, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and other relevant partners.
- Escalate unresolved partner, policy, timing, or execution concerns through established management channels.
- Collect structured feedback from internal partners and CDCs to improve the delivery model.

- Reporting and Governance (5%) Maintain accurate records of referrals, product-fit reviews, status, issues, and outcomes in designated systems or tracking tools.
- Provide management with factual reporting on workflow volume, cycle points, exceptions, training activity, adoption, and recurring process themes.
- Participate in scheduled governance reviews and support follow-up on agreed actions.
- Assist with testing or implementation of 504-specific identifiers, scorecards, checklists, and process controls.
- Use reporting to inform staffing, training, workflow, and control improvements, not to create an individual origination pipeline.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree
- 5 or more years of experience in SBA lending, commercial lending, credit analysis, underwriting support, portfolio management, loan operations, or a related banking function.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Working knowledge of SBA 504 and SBA 7(a) program structures, eligibility concepts, and transaction requirements. (Highly Recommended)
- Direct experience with SBA 504 transactions and Certified Development Companies.
- Experience reviewing or supporting commercial credit transactions, including owner-occupied commercial real estate and fixed-asset financing.
- Experience in commercial credit underwriting, credit analysis, portfolio management, loan closing, or loan administration.
- Knowledge of commercial real estate, project financing, renovation or construction lending, and multi-party loan structures.
- Ability to analyze transaction facts, identify information gaps, explain alternatives, and distinguish advisory support from credit decision authority.
- Strong written and verbal communication, organization, documentation, facilitation, and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Ability to manage multiple active matters, follow defined controls, and escalate issues appropriately in a matrixed environment.
- Experience developing training, job aids, procedures, workflow documentation, or management reporting.
- Experience supporting process improvement, quality assurance, change management, or control implementation.

Exempt Status: (Yes   = not eligible for overtime pay) ( No   = eligible for overtime pay)
Yes

Workplace Type:
Remote

Our Approach to Office Workplace Type

Certain positions outside our branch network may be eligible for a flexible work arrangement. We’re combining the best of both worlds:  in-office and work from home. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. Remote roles will also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for moments that matter. Specific work arrangements will be provided by the hiring team.

Huntington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Note to Agency Recruiters:   Huntington Bank will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.  All unsolicited resumes sent to any Huntington Bank colleagues, directly or indirectly, will be considered Huntington Bank property. Recruiting agencies must have a valid, written and fully executed Master Service Agreement and Statement of Work for consideration.