Melanie Finnell
West Jordan,UT
Summary
Dynamic small business banker with over a decade of experience in the financial industry, specializing in all aspects of lending, including underwriting, due diligence, documentation, and portfolio management. Proven track record as a reliable and enthusiastic collaborator, effectively managing and coordinating responsibilities across diverse roles while engaging seamlessly with both subordinates and senior management. Expertise in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, along with proficiency in government lending procedures and business banking operations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills consistently deliver strategic solutions that drive loan growth while maintaining a robust portfolio.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
SBA Operations Manager
Fortis Bank
Salt Lake City, UT
03.2025 - Current
- Manage SBA Division to ensure loans meet SBA loan requirements per the SOP.
- Create policies and procedures to ensure loans are underwritten and processed per SOP
- Communicate with clients the requirements on their government guaranteed loans to ensure loans stay in compliance with all banking and SBA requirements.
- Monthly 1502 Reporting and daily exception reporting on loans sold on the secondary market
- QC loan packages pre and post close to ensure all documentation is complete to keep the SBA Guaranty
- Managing loan closings including working with legal counsel to ensure closing and loan documents meet SOP
- Manage Secondary Market Sales
- SBA Loan Closing
SBA Operations Manager
Northwest Bank
Salt Lake City, UT
07.2021 - 02.2025
- Manage SBA Division to ensure loans meet SBA loan requirements per the SOP.
- Create policies and procedures to ensure loans are underwritten and processed per SOP
- Communicate with clients the requirements on their government guaranteed loans to ensure loans stay in compliance with all banking and SBA requirements.
- SBA loan package includes CAFS, 1920 and Terms and Conditions
- Monthly 1502 Reporting and daily exception reporting on loans sold on the secondary market
- Create 8-tab package for SBA on loans that have defaulted to request the guaranty be purchased
- Oversee servicing of existing SBA Portfolio in conjunction with Relationships Managers to
- Creating Credit Memorandums and Servicing actions to present to the proper level of authority
- QC loan packages pre and post close to ensure all documentation is complete to keep the SBA Guaranty
- Streamlined operational processes to enhance efficiency across multiple departments.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices for workflow management and process optimization.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to align operational goals with organizational strategy.
Assistant Relationship Manager
Northwest Bank
Salt Lake City, UT
07.2019 - 07.2021
- Credit Analysis including projections. Create Credit Memorandums having narrative and financial analysis for both new and existing loans using Moody’s and Tax Analysis Tools.
- NOI and OO underwriting as well as C&I and asset based commercial lending
- Loan due diligence including appraisal, title, flood, and environmental reports.
- Portfolio Management includes managing credit files and monitoring loans through periodic reviews and documentation.
- Partner with Relationship managers to build portfolio in new market. The portfolio included apartments, offices, ground up construction, TI’s, and lines of credit.
- Manage Construction Draws
- Understanding of lending policies and procedures
- Office Manager while opening of a new Loan Production Office in SLC (LPO)
- Assisted in managing client portfolios, ensuring alignment with financial goals and risk tolerance.
- Cultivated strong client relationships through regular communication and personalized service strategies.
- Analyzed clients' financial needs to recommend appropriate banking products and services.
- Developed training materials to improve onboarding processes for new team members.
- Managed client portfolios, ensuring alignment with financial goals and risk tolerance.
Documentation Supervisor for Business Banking Loan Center
Zions Bancorporation
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2017 - 07.2019
- Supervise the creation of Conventional and SBA Loan Documents for all Small Business Loans
- Develops action plans and performance goals with employees. Meeting with employees monthly to ensure plans are being followed and goals met.
- Ensure team members meet the required Production, SLA and accuracy goals.
- Supervise 9 employees and 2 team leads
- Creating procedures and processes for loan documentation and funding
- Auditing files for compliance
- Interviewing, hiring, and keep employee records. Disciplinary actions and performance plans as needed to ensure employees meet performance goals.
- Oversaw documentation processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Led a team of documentation specialists, providing mentorship and fostering professional development.
- Conducted regular audits of documentation practices, ensuring accuracy and adherence to organizational guidelines.
Business Banking Underwriter & Portfolio Management Officer
Zions Bancorporation
Salt Lake City, UT
09.2014 - 01.2017
- Review all financial documentation in file to verify applicant credit worthiness.
- Analyze and review documentation in file to verify accuracy of application and support underwriting decision.
- Apply bank policy to underwriting narrative and credit presentations.
- Communicate with officers and team members.
- Supply all loan details to the approver.
- Organize and document all loan decisions.
- Rework files based on changes and updates to loan terms, conditions.
- SBA underwriting and eligibility analysis.
- Underwriting using Projections.
- Lending Authority of $500m
- Portfolio Management
- ACH and Commercial Credit Card
- Moody’s and Tax Analysis
- Reviewed financial documents and credit histories to ensure accurate risk assessments.
Small Business Loan Specialist
Zions Bancorporation
Salt Lake City
03.2013 - 09.2014
- Complete due diligence on Small Business loans as required by Bank Policy.
- Compile legal documents and verify borrower information.
- Review all terms of the loan.
- Lien perfect all collateral i.e., Title, UCC, Real Estate, Cash
- Once the loan package is complete prepare loan documents
- Supply customer service through phone and email communications.
- Evaluated borrower creditworthiness to determine loan eligibility and risk assessment.
Skills
- Loan origination proficiency
- Compliance management
- Portfolio management
- Process implementation expertise
- Goal and objective setting
- Collaborative team management
- Efficiency improvement
- Proficient in SBA Operations
Timeline
SBA Operations Manager
Fortis Bank
03.2025 - Current
SBA Operations Manager
Northwest Bank
07.2021 - 02.2025
Assistant Relationship Manager
Northwest Bank
07.2019 - 07.2021
Documentation Supervisor for Business Banking Loan Center
Zions Bancorporation
09.2017 - 07.2019
Business Banking Underwriter & Portfolio Management Officer
Zions Bancorporation
09.2014 - 01.2017
Small Business Loan Specialist
Zions Bancorporation
03.2013 - 09.2014