Loan Officer/Underwriter

Summary of Duties

The Loan Officer and Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, approving, and underwriting a broad range of consumer and residential loan products, including consumer installment loans, lines of credit, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), construction loans, and land loans. This role also serves as a key liaison in managing mortgage applications through the Rocket Pro platform, ensuring a smooth, compliant, and efficient process from application through closing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Included but are not limited to:

• Analyze, underwrite, and approve consumer and residential loan applications in accordance with bank policy, regulatory requirements, and sound credit practices
• Evaluate borrower creditworthiness by reviewing income, assets, credit history, collateral, and overall risk profile
• Approve and underwrite a variety of products, including:
• Consumer installment loans and unsecured lines of credit
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
• Construction and construction-to-permanent loans
• Land loans
• Structure loans appropriately based on risk, policy guidelines, and borrower needs
• Issue clear, well-documented credit decisions and conditions
• Partner with lenders, branch staff, and processors to gather required documentation and move loans efficiently through the pipeline
• Serve as the primary point of contact for loans originated through Rocket Pro, guiding applications through underwriting, approval, and closing stages
• Communicate as needed with customers regarding their application through Rocket Pro
• Monitor pipeline and ensure timely turnaround times and service level expectations are met
• Ensure compliance with all internal policies, as well as federal and state regulations (e.g., Reg B, RESPA, TRID, HMDA as applicable)
• Communicate decisions and rationale effectively to internal stakeholders
• Identify exceptions and recommend appropriate mitigating factors
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to underwriting processes and workflow efficiency
• This position requires individual lending authority, either upon hire or within an established timeframe based on experience and demonstrated performance

Other Functions

1.     Familiar with and abides by all bank regulations including but not limited to BSA and OFAC.

2.     Adhere and comply with all Bank Policies.

3.     Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications & Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education/Certification/Licensing:

·        High School Diploma/GED required.

·        Advanced education in accounting, business administration or related field preferred.

Experience:

·        Minimum requirement of 2 years of underwriting experience in consumer and/or residential lending.

·        Strong working knowledge of:

o  Consumer lending and credit analysis

o  HELOC and real estate-secured lending

o  Construction lending fundamentals

o  Experience with mortgage processes

o  Solid understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements related to lending

o  Excellent communication and organizational skills

o  Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Other Requirements:

·        Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image.

·        Willingness and flexibility to work in a team setting.

·        Requires excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

·        Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced environment.

·        Must be able to multitask.

·        Must possess PC skills at an intermediate level. Ability to use the Internet.

·        Ability to learn compliance and law issues as they apply to mortgages.

Equipment Used

·        PC, laser printer, calculator, copy machine, scanner, mobile devices such as iPad and iPhone or similar.

Software Used

·        Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader, Rocket Pro platform, Mortgage Bot LOS, Jupiter, Credit Info, Outlook, Scanning Sites, FHLBI Sites, Private Mortgage Insurance websites.

·        Horizon XE, FIS Image Centre, BAI Learning & Development and various other financial institution platform systems.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to work in front of a computer for extended periods of hours; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. Must be able to travel from location to location throughout the office and to other bank offices, clients, and outside meetings. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. In-person work is required however telework exceptions may be applicable. Regular and prompt attendance is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a professional office setting with low to moderate noise level work environment; and, at times in various other environments of the clients they meet with.

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance:

Commercial Bank provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To ensure equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, Commercial Bank will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, unless undue hardship on the operation of the organization would result. We support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity by taking positive steps to eliminate barriers that may exist in hiring and in employment practices. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.