Sr. Mortgage Underwriter

Position Overview:

Keystone Consulting Group is seeking a Sr. Mortgage Underwriter. As a Senior Mortgage Underwriter, you will be responsible for underwriting mortgage loans to ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and secondary market investor guidelines. This role involves examining loan documentation for accuracy and completeness, and collaborating with Mortgage Loan Officers and other Mortgage Department staff to secure all necessary documentation. The underwriter must also be proficient into Agency and FHA construction loans (i.e. 203(k) or equivalent). In addition, must be proficient in Non-QM Loans as well.

Key Responsibilities:

Loan Review and Validation:

•         Assess mortgage loans for accuracy and completeness, ensuring all information matches and is validated.

•         Provide guidance and training to Mortgage Loan Originators and Mortgage Loan Processors regarding any errors identified.

•         Ensure timely credit decisions and meet purchase contract deadlines.

Title Examination:

•         Verify customer ownership for refinance transactions and seller ownership for purchase transactions.

•         Ensure the chain of title meets investor requirements, confirm the absence of unpaid liens or judgments, and verify all mortgage liens are being cleared through the transaction.

Rate Lock Verification:

•         Ensure the rate lock aligns with the underwriting file, including the correct program, Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, and credit score.

Credit Analysis:

•         Conduct mortgage credit analyses, using automated underwriting systems when necessary, to determine the borrower's ability and willingness to repay the mortgage debt.

•         Evaluate risk to make prudent underwriting decisions.

Appraisal Review:

•         Perform detailed reviews of appraisals for one-to-four family residential properties to assess the acceptability of the security for portfolio loans and loans sold to investors.

Collaboration with Underwriting Supervisor:

•         Work closely with the Mortgage Underwriting Supervisor to ensure timely credit decisions, meeting purchase contract deadlines.

Program Compliance:

•         Review all origination files to ensure customers are offered the best mortgage program.

•         Adhere to guidelines to ensure all loans are closed properly and timely, according to both internal and external investor requirements.

Fair Lending and Compliance:

•         Ensure adherence to fair lending and compliance policies in customer interactions and underwriting decisions.

Guideline Monitoring:

•         Keep abreast of secondary investor, government, and mortgage insurance (MI) guideline changes and assess their impact on current and future loans.

Diligence and Audit Review:

•         Manage compliance functions for the bank with examiners, auditors, and secondary market entities.

•         Review selected mortgage loans for any deficiencies and work with staff to resolve issues, preventing future problems.

•         Collaborate with secondary market investors on any post-closing issues or audits.

This role demands a high level of attention to detail, comprehensive knowledge of mortgage underwriting guidelines, and the ability to make sound underwriting decisions within targeted timeframes. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to maintaining compliance with all relevant regulations and guidelines.

Requirements

Required Skills for Senior Mortgage Underwriter:

•         Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field or equivalent 10+ years of experience in the mortgage and credit underwriting space.

•         Meticulously review loan documentation for accuracy and completeness, including title and appraisals.

•         Perform mortgage credit analyses and evaluate risk to make prudent underwriting decisions.

•         Understand company policies, regulatory requirements, secondary market investor guidelines, and fair lending practices.

•         Experience and proficient with automated underwriting systems and mortgage loan origination software/tools.

•         Ability to provide clear guidance and training to Mortgage Loan Originators and Mortgage Loan Processors; work collaboratively with the Mortgage Underwriting Supervisor and team.

•         Ability to manage production volume in addition to the audit and diligence reviews with examiners, auditors, and secondary market entities; review and address deficiencies in mortgage loans.

Benefits

•         Aggressive salary structure.

•         True and Better pricing strategies to win the customer.

•         Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance.

•         Retirement savings plan.

•         Paid time off and holidays.

•         Opportunities for professional development and advancement.

•         Supportive and collaborative team environment.