Consumer Lending Underwriter

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Consumer Lending Underwriter is responsible for day-to-day underwriting decisions within the consumer lending portfolio and may cross-train to underwrite HELOCs and second liens. The Consumer Lending Underwriter approves, denies, or counteroffers loan requests in accordance with Credit Union policies and procedures and applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This position assesses applicants’ creditworthiness, repayment ability, financial stability, and overall credit risk to ensure responsible lending practices while supporting the credit union’s financial objectives.

The Consumer Lending Underwriter works collaboratively with loan officers, other department personnel and other lending team members to facilitate timely loan decisions, maintain accurate documentation, and provide exceptional member service. This position balances risk with the credit union’s mission to provide members with affordable financial solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Evaluates applicants’ creditworthiness and makes decisions on loan requests.
• Communicates underwriting decisions effectively, both verbally and in writing, to credit union teams and, when necessary, to members.
• Calculates debt-to-income ratios, evaluates credit reports, and assesses collateral.
• Evaluates income for all types of self-employed borrowers.
• Monitors internal underwriting trends and promptly informs the supervisor of irregularities, emerging developments, or changes affecting underwriting activities.
• Manages the assigned underwriting workflow to support back-office department service and turnaround goals.
• Maintains working knowledge of ancillary consumer lending products, including GAP and warranty coverages.
• Participates in special projects and audits.
• Assists with staff training and communicates updates and reminders regarding lending policies and procedures.
• Supports the credit union’s sales and service philosophy.
• Creates and delivers accurate loan reports within required timeframes.
• Participates in continuing education and maintains current knowledge of applicable lending laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective controls over the credit union’s lending activities.
• Provides prompt, accurate, and professional service to internal teams and Credit Union members.
• Reviews underwriting work for accuracy, completeness, professionalism, timeliness, and compliance with established deadlines.
• Maintains up-to-date and accurate files and records.
• Attends meetings and training sessions as directed.
• Develops and maintains an understanding of the credit union’s history, mission, and service philosophy.
• Maintains an appropriate working knowledge of applicable Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), anti-money laundering (AML), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Currency Transaction Reporting (CTR) requirements, including relevant regulatory updates and changes.

OTHER DUTIES

Performs other duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned. Duties may change at any time with or without notice based on business needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership and Accountability – Demonstrates sound judgment, ownership, professionalism, and the ability to lead by example.
• Lending Knowledge – Applies strong knowledge of loan products, underwriting, credit quality, loan servicing, documentation, and lending compliance.
• Member Focus – Promotes timely, accurate, respectful, and solution-oriented service for members and internal partners.
• Operational Excellence – Identifies opportunities to improve processes, reduce risk, strengthen controls, and enhance efficiency.
• Communication – Communicates clearly and professionally with executives, managers, staff, vendors, auditors, examiners, and members.
• Collaboration – Builds strong working relationships across departments and supports shared organizational goals.
• Compliance and Risk Awareness – Understands regulatory expectations, internal controls, audit readiness, and the importance of consistent documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

The Underwriter must demonstrate excellent communication, problem-solving, negotiation, and advanced computer skills. Strong analytical skills are required to assess and manage loan risk effectively. The Underwriter must also be able to manage multiple priorities and adapt to continuous change and process improvement.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, accounting, or a related field preferred. Minimum of two years of progressive consumer lending, underwriting, loan operations, processing, funding, servicing, or financial institution experience preferred.
• Highly organized with the ability to work independently.
• Prior experience underwriting HELOCs and second liens is a plus but not required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365
• Working knowledge of consumer lending, credit analysis, collateral, loan documentation, lending regulations, and risk management practices.
• Ability to review, analyze and interpret credit reports, loan documents, financial information, procedures, exception reports, audit findings, and regulatory guidance.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, resolve routine issues, and appropriately escalated material concerns.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

The employee is responsible for maintaining knowledge of and complying with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the position, including but not limited to fair lending, consumer lending, home equity lending, privacy, information security, Bank Secrecy Act, OFAC, anti-money laundering requirements, and other regulatory obligations applicable to credit union lending activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Skills and Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

A high school diploma or equivalent and at least three years of related experience or training are required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; calculate rates, ratios, percentages, and debt-to-income ratios; and interpret financial data.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to address problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, is required.