Position Summary
The Senior Underwriter is responsible for independently reviewing, analyzing, and issuing final underwriting decisions on residential mortgage loan files in accordance with investor, agency, regulatory, and company guidelines. This role handles the most complex loan scenarios, including layered risk, self-employed income, multiple properties, and exception requests, and provides expert guidance to Jr. Underwriters, processors, and loan officers. The Senior Underwriter serves as both a technical specialist and a mentor, ensuring consistency, compliance, and quality throughout the underwriting function.
In addition to underwriting responsibilities, this position partners closely with the Underwriting Manager on scenario desk coverage, rush requests, and quality control escalations. The Senior Underwriter contributes to the continuous improvement of underwriting procedures, tools, and training resources, setting the tone for documentation standards, sound risk assessment, and service excellence across the department.
Essential Responsibilities
Underwriting & Decision-Making
- Independently review and underwrite Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loan files, ensuring full compliance with investor, agency, regulatory, and company guidelines.
- Analyze and document complex borrower scenarios, including self-employment income, multiple rental properties, layered credit risk, disputed accounts, and non-traditional income streams.
- Apply automated underwriting system (DU/LPA) results while exercising sound judgment on manual underwriting overlays.
- Render final loan decisions (approve, suspend, decline) and ensure all decisions are clearly documented and defendable to auditors, investors, and regulators.
Collaboration & Support
- Act as a subject-matter expert and escalation point for Jr. Underwriters, processors, and loan officers.
- Provide coaching and feedback to underwriting staff, focusing on consistency, first-pass approval rates, and defect reduction.
- Partner with Post Closing, Quality Control, and Compliance teams to address findings, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
- Collaborate with branch managers, processing, and sales staff to proactively resolve loan structuring issues and reduce turnaround times.
Leadership & Process Improvement
- Assist the Underwriting Manager in scenario desk coverage, managing rush requests, and resolving escalated conditions.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of underwriting policies, job aids, and training modules.
- Participate in monthly trend reviews to identify recurring challenges, training gaps, and process bottlenecks.
- Stay informed of industry changes, regulatory updates, and investor guideline revisions, ensuring timely communication of material changes to the team.
- Uphold and model company values by promoting accuracy, accountability, and collaboration across the department.
Qualifications
- Certifications: FHA DE required; VA SAR/LAPP and USDA experience strongly preferred.
- Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of AUS systems (DU, LPA) and LOS platforms (MeridianLink Mortgage/LQB preferred). Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Analytical Skills: Expertise in complex income analysis (self-employed borrowers, partnerships, corporations, multiple rental properties, layered risk).
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written ability to explain underwriting decisions to loan officers, processors, auditors, and investors.
- Leadership Skills: Ability to mentor and guide Jr. Underwriters, foster a collaborative team environment, and assist in managing escalations.
- Compliance Awareness: Strong understanding of TRID, RESPA, HMDA, and other applicable federal regulations.
Why Join American Mortgage Bank?
- Health Insurance Coverage: BCBS health plan with 70% of the premium covered by the company.
- Dental & Vision: Both are available, fully employee-paid.
- 401(k) Matching: After one year of service, the company will match up to 6% of your contributions.
- Voluntary Life Insurance: Available at 100% employee expense.
- Local Impact & Professional Growth: Be part of a community-focused company and advance your career in the mortgage industry.
Follow this link to apply now: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/33242DB8860C4FDCE72B74FF97643022/jobs/169456