Underwriting Trainee - Commercial Surety

Say Yes to the Best Career Opportunities

Merchants Bonding Company™ is hiring professionals who value clarity, collaboration, and opportunities to make an impact. Our team is growing, and we’re looking for people who thrive in a fast-moving environment built on common sense underwriting and first-class experiences. If you're ready for the next step in your career with a team that says yes to the best, this is your opportunity.

Underwriter Trainee

Job Purpose

The Underwriter Trainee evaluates commercial surety bond submissions by analyzing financial information, legal documents, indemnity agreements, and underwriting materials to assess risk within an assigned authority level. This role also builds and maintains agency relationships to grow commercial surety production, supports underwriting accuracy through research and form review, and assists with projects that strengthen workflow and operational efficiency.

Core Work Responsibilities

Risk Analysis & Underwriting

• Review new submissions, financial statements, applications, legal documents, and bond forms to determine commercial surety risk.
• Document underwriting files and maintain supporting analysis for all decisions.
• Evaluate renewal files and approve or deny bonds within assigned authority.
• Monitor and support collection of accounts receivable for commercial surety business.
• Communicate underwriting decisions professionally through written and verbal channels.
• Production Development & Agency Management
• Solicit commercial surety business by building and maintaining agency relationships nationwide.
• Engage with agencies through visits, calls, emails, and marketing tools to strengthen production.
• Follow up on commercial bonding leads to generate written premium.
• Support territory production goals through planned travel and coordinated agency engagement.
• Negotiate commission structures and underwriting terms within authority.
• Monitor agent payment issues and recommend appropriate actions to senior underwriting staff.

Forms, Underwriting Opinions & Legislative Review

• Research statutes and regulations to support the development of accurate underwriting opinions.
• Assist in reviewing bond forms, statutes, and rate materials to ensure proper underwriting guidance.
• Update forms, opinions, and related materials to reflect legislative changes with senior approval.
• Recommend rating or classification adjustments to strengthen competitiveness or mitigate risk.

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in Business, Insurance, Finance, or Marketing, plus 0-1 years of experience in the insurance or bond industry. Knowledge of the legislative process and regulatory environment. Knowledge of the sales process as it pertains to independent agencies and insurance products.

Able to work well with diverse groups of peers; communicate positively and respectfully; provide excellent customer service to external and internal stakeholders; strong analysis and critical thinking skills; balance workload assignments within time constraints; business acumen, and retain strict confidentiality.

Essential Functions:

This associate must be able to accurately analyze detailed financial documents, analyze risk and make sound underwriting decisions. They also need to be able to travel nationwide. This associate must be able to build long-term relationships and deal with conflict.

Benefits at Merchants

At Merchants, we value balancing the needs of our associates and their families. We offer a wide range of benefits designed to help achieve a healthy work-life balance and support personal and professional growth. In addition to competitive pay, bonus programs, and generous paid-time off, here are a few stand-out benefits:

• Flexible hybrid and remote opportunities with 37.5 hour work week
• Free health insurance option
• Paid volunteer time off with matching gift program
• Infants in the Workplace Program with family resources
• Discover more at: https://www.merchantsbonding.com/careers#Benefits

About Merchants

For nearly a century, Merchants Bonding Company has focused almost exclusively on surety, delivering common sense underwriting and first-class experiences to agents, accounts, and associates across the country. Merchants stands apart from multi-line carriers by offering deep surety expertise, a flexible approach, and strong financials that instill confidence and foster lasting partnerships.

Our people-first culture is built on collaboration, inclusion, and shared success. We’re committed to helping associates grow through real opportunities for advancement, while supporting a sense of belonging.

If you're looking to join a company that values your unique perspective, encourages new ideas, and invests in your development, apply today!