Underwriter III (US Based)

Job description

Summary
The main goal of the position is to make sound credit decisions. Individual will work closely with all FCM Retail Staff-(sales and Ops) and must have a high level of organizational and communication skills.

Role and Responsibilities
• Demonstrated expertise in Agency (FNMA/FHLMC),USDA, FHA, and VA underwriting guidelines.
• Strong experience with Non-QM loan products, including evaluation of alternative income documentation, expanded credit scenarios, and layered risk analysis
• Experience underwriting Construction-to-Permanent, Renovation and 203k
• Review, examine and underwrite loans to ensure soundness, business value and compliance with FCM investor and agency standards.
• Assess loan attributes and documentation for soundness and accuracy.
• Review and evaluate income, asset, credit and other pertinent documentation to ascertain loan viability and identify risk issues and potential fraud.
• Evaluate debt ratios, loan-to-value ratios, credit scores, property valuation and various other factors.
• Determine and document loan conditions and communicate requirements and/or decisions.
• Assist in identifying, recommending and/or negotiating alternative loan requirements, funding and/or loan-structuring solutions.
• Provide input on new and/or existing Underwriting processes, procedures and/or approaches.
• Independently conducting full and comprehensive evaluations of a variety of complex, high-risk Mortgage Loan applications.
• Apply specialized knowledge to the interpretation of loan and Underwriting criteria and the determination of Underwriting decisions and final courses- of-action.
• Review and analyze special conditions, loan deficiencies and exception-requests to determine appropriate courses-of-action
• Assess Underwriting-program effectiveness and, as appropriate, making recommendations for improvement.
• Coach field personnel and Brokers on technical Underwriting issues, problems and/or questions.
• Regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment in addressing critical business matters that have a significant financial impact on First Community Mortgage.
• Work closely with 3rd party companies to facilitate initial underwriting and resubmissions whereby AI (artificial intelligence) is used to review specific loan guidelines.
• Provide superior customer service to all field personnel and operations teammates by adhering to
established SLA's and exercising clear and quick communication via phone, Teams and email.
• Adhere to the highest standards of ethical and professional behavior.
• Operate in a team first environment while maintaining an atmosphere of trust and accountability.
• Be Productive and Challenge your teammates in a professional manner for the betterment of the FCM culture of Fast and Easy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience:
High School Diploma/GED; 5 plus years mortgage experience with 3 years as an Underwriter with DE and VA SAR designation required. Thorough understanding of underwriting policies and procedures, as well as investor guidelines and regulatory updates including knowledge of FHA, VA, FNMA, and FMLMC guidelines and standards. Familiar with LP and DU underwriting. Must have proven analytical and decision-making skills. Must possess a positive attitude and be flexible in an environment that is moving forward. Must be a team player and be willing to constructively contribute to the department. Must be trustworthy and have strong work ethic.

Skills:
• Ability to effectively articulate information and respond to questions from customers, vendors and mortgage related issues.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams.
• Must be able to calculate interests, commissions, percentages, and discounts.
• Prefer experience with Encompass or must learn.
• Must possess sense of urgency to restrictive time frames and deadlines.
• Must be professional at all times with dress and actions.

Physical Demands:
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time such as meetings, driving, sales rallies, etc.
• Must be able to talk and hear, frequent use of hands and arms to reach and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision requires close distances, color, and ability to focus.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Comments:
This job description is an outline of the major recurring responsibilities of the job. It is not intended to be all-inclusive of the work to be performed. Other related job objectives, special assignments and less significant responsibilities may be required of the incumbent to perform.