Senior Underwriter

Role Description

The Underwriter III reviews and evaluates conventional, FHA, VA, and specialty product loans to determine credit worthiness of the borrower, assess risk to the Company, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and Company lending guidelines and regulations. This role is responsible for providing consistency in credit quality and decisions, process flow, and customer service (both internal and external) when determining mortgage loan approval.

Job Functions

• Loan File Review: Ensures conventional, FHA, VA, and specialty product loans are compliant and eligible in the secondary market by completing a full credit and risk analysis of the loan file, which includes reviewing the real estate contract, title documents, borrower’s ability to repay and agency requirements. Consistently exceeds volume metric of two initial submissions per day with an average of ten loan files per week.
• Credit Analysis: Reviews the borrower’s credit history to assess their credit worthiness and ability to repay. This includes looking at the borrower’s credit report, credit scores, and payment history, debt-to-income ratios, and other financial criteria.
• Asset & Debt Evaluation:
  • Verifies borrower’s assets (e.g., savings, investments, real estate holdings) to ensure sufficient funds.
  • Checks for existing debt and/or loans that may impact repayment.
  • Considers the borrower’s ability to make monthly mortgage payments, based on their income, employment status, and debt-to-equity ratio.
  • Confirms borrower’s income and certifies income calculations.
• Collateral Review: Reviews title reports to confirm legal ownership, as well as any liens or encumbrances on the property. Reviews the appraisal to evaluate the condition of the property being financed.
• Risk Assessment:
  • Uses automated underwriting systems for initial risk scoring.
  • Performs manual underwriting for complex cases and analyzing compensation factors.
  • Manages risk and prevents fraud in the lending process by identifying and addressing any potential red flags in the loan application and supporting documents.
• Loan Program and Compliance Check: Confirms loan meets lender & regulatory guidelines (e.g. conventional, FHA, and VA loan requirements). Ensures compliance with federal & state lending laws (e.g., Truth in Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act). Reviews all documentation in the file to ensure it meets applicable agency or investor guidelines.
• Loan Approval: Issues a conditional approval if additional documentation or explanation is required. Documents underwriting decisions in the Loan Operating System regarding approval to assist with post-closing, quality control, or management, should questions arise. Communicates with Loan Originators, Processors, and Closers that loan is CTC (Clear to Close).
• Administration & Communication:
  • Works with Loan Originators, Processors, borrowers, and other stakeholders to answer and/or clarify any questions or concerns regarding underwriting decisions, guidelines or conditions.
  • Assists with internal/external audit requests.
  • Stays abreast of current trends in the mortgage industry (investor, agency, and government guidelines), changes in regulations and market conditions to ensure that underwriting processes remain current and effective.
  • Communicates with Loan Originators, Processors, and other team members regarding underwriting decisions, guidelines, and conditions.
  • Assists with internal/external audit requests.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required. College degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience underwriting conventional, FHA, and VA mortgage loans.
• Licenses/Certifications: Direct Endorsement (DE); Staff Appraisal Reviewer/Lender Appraisal Processing Program (SAR/LAPP), VA Credit Authority.

Requirements

• Excellent understanding of investor, agency and government guidelines and systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with solid computer skills.
• Analytical thinker and consultative mind to support both team members and managers in all areas of the business.
• Goal-oriented, self-motivated with the capacity to meet and exceed assigned goals.
• Willing to learn, industrious, determined, and assertive.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask to complete a wide variety of tasks.
• Strong people skills with ability to interact with all internal teams and external customers.
• Must be able to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Diligence to ensure tasks are completed thoroughly and on time.

Benefits

• The total expected pay range including bonus for this position is from $110,000 - $140,000.
• The stated hiring range is based on experience, qualifications, and other relevant factors.
• Final compensation decisions will take into account a variety of considerations, including individual skills, internal equity, and organizational needs.