Job Title: Surety Bond Underwriting Intern

Location: West Des Moines, Iowa

Terms: 12-weeks, full-time, flexible 37.5 hours/week, in office

Pay: $24/hour

Start Date: Tuesday, May 26th (flexible)

End Date: Friday, August 14th (flexible)

Are you passionate about analyzing numbers but looking for a role that offers more than just desk work? Join Merchants Bonding Company as our Summer 2026 Surety Bond Underwriting Intern!

In this role, you'll combine financial analysis with client interaction, contributing to impactful underwriting projects. Gain hands-on experience in the growing field of surety bonds while building valuable relationships and honing your skills in both analysis and communication.

About Us:

At Merchants Bonding, we have a positive and collaborative environment where your ideas are valued, and your growth is prioritized. We work hard to deliver first-class experiences in all our relationships. Our commitment to innovation and building trust secured our spot among the top 10 surety companies in the country. Surety bonds are a vital part of industries like insurance, finance, and construction, where reliable business transactions are essential to protect all parties involved.

Curious to learn more? Visit our website and social media to explore the perks and opportunities at Merchants.

The Internship Experience:

Our summer internship program offers a blend of professional development, cross-departmental learning, community service projects, and relationship-building opportunities. You'll work closely with your peers and experienced underwriters on significant business projects, gaining hands-on insight in a vibrant, supportive setting that fosters both personal and professional growth.

What You'll Do:

• Underwriting Case Evaluations: Support the evaluation and recommendation of underwriting cases involving significant financial amounts.
• Financial Analysis: Analyze financial statements and other data for prequalification of bond submissions.
• Client Relationship Development: Develop relationship-building skills through client-facing activities and interactions.
• Surety & Risk: Gain a foundational understanding of the surety bond industry and risk analysis.
• Process Improvement: Assist in creating training materials and suggest process improvements.
• Technology Integration: Utilize advanced technology in the underwriting process.

Competencies You'll Use:

• Resourcefulness: Demonstrate initiative in gathering information, learning, and improving processes.
• Financial Acumen: Apply financial principles and analytical skills to interpret data and identify trends.
• Builds Internal Relationships: Build trust through teamwork, collaboration, and active engagement.
• Communicates Effectively: Communicate clearly and adapt to different audiences in both written and verbal forms.
• Time Management & Organization: Prioritize and manage tasks effectively while collaborating for optimal efficiency.
• Professionalism: Maintain integrity, respect, and excellence in all interactions and work environments.

What Sets You Apart:

• Strong Academic Performance and Relevant Coursework - A proven commitment to excellence through your academic achievements, including coursework relevant to the role, such as Principles of Finance & Accounting.
• Previous Work Experience - Work experience, in a corporate environment or not, that showcases your skills and work ethic.
• Involvement in Extracurricular Activities - Participation in campus organizations or other activities that displays your teamwork, leadership, time management, and passions.
• Leadership and Initiative - Roles or projects where you’ve taken on leadership responsibilities, demonstrated creativity, and proactively addressed challenges.
• Professional Development - Additional trainings, certifications, or workshops that enhance your qualifications.
• Volunteer Experience - Participation in volunteer opportunities that highlight your ability to collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to community-focused goals.

Take the first step in your career journey—send your resume to jobs@merchantsbonding.com or visit our careers page at www.merchantsbonding.com.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit; walk; use hands to finger, type, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee is infrequently required to stand.  The employee may infrequently be asked to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.  The employee should have complete clear speech.

The employee may travel up to 15-20% of the time by air or car to other office or business locations.  The employee will need to entertain clients to maintain existing relationships and establish new ones. 

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to normal office working conditions that are climate controlled.  The employee would not be exposed to extreme heat or cold or other workplace hazards.  The noise level in the work environment is usually low. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with this position.  The Human Resources Intern assumes other responsibilities as assigned