Consumer Lending Underwriter

The Consumer Lending Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, reviewing, and underwriting loan applications from multiple consumer channels including centralized direct applications and indirect dealership sources. This position ensures the safety and soundness of the Credit Union's assets through accurate credit risk assessment, collateral evaluation, and adherence to underwriting guidelines and regulatory requirements. The underwriter will maintain strong working relationships with internal staff and external partners such as dealership personnel, while delivering efficient and professional service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

1. Assumes responsibility for Underwriting and Loan Evaluation

a. Review and evaluate loan applications, credit reports, collateral values, income documentation, and other relevant financial information to assess risk.

b. Approve, deny, counter or suspend loans within designated authority, present loans above limits to higher authority as necessary.

c. Ensure that loans are properly prepared, documented, processed and decisioned in a compliant and timely manner.

d. Evaluate adequacy of income, assets, debt ratios, and creditworthiness to determine borrower's ability to meet obligations. Compare previous expenses with proposed expenses.

e. Analyze and interpret employment, income trends, and financial history to assess future repayment likelihood.


f. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of underwriting guidelines, lending programs, and regulatory requirements.

2. Assumes responsibility for Communication and Collaboration

a. Provide guidance and support to Loan Officers and Indirect Funders as needed.

b. Serve as a resource for resolving complex loan issues, offering coaching on denied applications and underwriting standards.

c. Coordinate with loan officers and dealership personnel to answer questions, communicate decisions, and maintain strong relationships.

d. Assist in training and mentoring consumer lending staff and dealership partners on application processes and lending policies.

e. Keep management informed of area activities and of any significant problems.

3. Assumes responsibility for Documentation, Reporting, and Compliance

a. Ensure that all files are complete, accurate, and meet policy and regulatory standards when decisioning loan requests.


b. Calculate finance charges, insurance premiums, and other loan-related figures as required.

c. Prepare and maintain required reports such as FASB, funding audits, early delinquency, paid invoices, and chargebacks.

d. Monitor and follow up on missing titles, pending documentation, and funding exceptions.


f. Reconcile ancillary products (Debt Protection, GAP, Warranty, etc...) on a monthly basis.


4. Assumes responsibility for Member and Dealer Relationship Management

a. Provide excellent service to members and dealerships by responding to inquiries promptly and professionally.

b. Ensure accurate information is shared regarding loan products, terms, and approval criteria.


c. Uphold the Credit Union's reputation by providing accurate, fair, clear, and compliant loan decisions.

d. Maintaining and developing relationships with dealers through regular phone calls, events and on dealer visits.

5. Assumes responsibility for related duties as required or assigned

a. Stay current on software updates and suggest process improvements.

b. Actively cross-sell and recommend additional Credit Union products and services.

c. Maintain a clean and organized work environment and follow a consistent work schedule.

d. Participate in assigned special projects and team initiatives.

e. Provides suggestions for improvements in underwriting policies and procedures.

f. Works a regular and predictable schedule.

g. Must be sufficiently fluent in English to process work and business transactions.


PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

1. Loan underwriting decisions align with Credit Union policies and applicable regulations.

2. All required reports and documentation are completed accurately and on time.

3. Internal teams and external dealership relationships are effectively supported and maintained.

4. Loans are efficiently and effectively underwritten to ensure low delinquency and charge-off ratios.

5. Continuous improvement and proactive communication are demonstrated in support of lending goals.

6. Problems are closely tracked and effectively resolved.

7. Personal delinquency and write-off numbers are in line with Credit Union objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Associate degree or equivalent work experience required; additional coursework in business or finance preferred.


REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE: Thorough understanding of credit reports, tax returns, financial statements, collateral valuation, and underwriting standards.

Knowledge of federal and state lending regulations.

Proficiency with loan origination systems and related software applications.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED : Minimum of three years in consumer lending or underwriting; prior experience in both centralized and indirect lending environments preferred.

SKILLS/ABILITIES: Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.


Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.


Professional judgment with high attention to detail.


PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

TALKING: Especially where one must frequently convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.

AVERAGE HEARING: Able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.

REPETITIVE MOTION: Movements frequently and regularly required using the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

AVERAGE VISUAL ABILITIES: Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents or products, or operate machinery.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Sedentary work; sitting most of the time. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally. (Almost all office jobs.)

WORKING CONDITIONS

NONE: No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions (such as in a typical office).

MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to deal with a variety of variables under only limited standardization.

Able to interpret various instructions.

MATHEMATICS ABILITY: Ability to compute discount, interest, profit, and loss; commission markup and selling price; ratio and proportion and percentage.

Able to perform very simple algebra.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Ability to read a variety of books, magazines, instruction manuals, atlases and encyclopedias.

Ability to prepare memos, reports, and essays using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.

Ability to communicate distinctly with appropriate pauses and emphasis; correct punctuation (or sign equivalent), and variation in word order; using present, perfect, and future tenses.

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.


All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.


In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.