What are the responsibilities and job description for the Residential Underwriter position at Merchants National Bank?
Job Summary
The Underwriter is responsible for underwriting conventional and portfolio real estate loans in accordance with industry guidelines, investor requirements, and bank policies. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical lending practices. The Underwriter evaluates loan requests, assesses borrower creditworthiness, analyzes risk factors, and makes sound underwriting recommendations while ensuring regulatory and policy compliance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Underwrite conventional and portfolio real estate loan requests in compliance with industry standards, investor guidelines, and bank policies.
- Analyze borrower creditworthiness, including review of credit reports, income documentation, and financial capacity.
- Request additional documentation and information as needed to support accurate loan decisions and recommendations
- Ensure loan files are fully and accurately documented to support underwriting decisions, including income calculations and risk analysis.
- Identify and analyze credit and collateral risk factors, recommend appropriate loan structure and conditions, and submit transactions for additional approval when required.
- Place appropriate underwriting conditions to satisfy investor and internal bank guidelines.
- Prepare and submit underwriting transmittals (1008s), loan commitments, and conditions within loan software systems.
- Run automated underwriting systems and make applicable updates and changes as required.
- Communicate clearly and timely with Loan Officers, Processors, and other loan personnel regarding loan status, conditions, and decisions.
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of underwriting data within loan software, including 1008s, conditions, and supporting documentation.
- Maintain required underwriting turn-around times in accordance with departmental benchmarks.
- Monitor suspended loan files, issue Adverse Action notices to request missing documentation, and close files for incompleteness when appropriate.
- Ensure appropriate and consistent correspondence regarding loan decisions and status updates.
- Serve as a subject matter resource for residential lending staff on underwriting questions and credit-related inquiries.
- Follow sound credit and lending practices while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and bank policies.
- Participate as a member of the Retail Loan Processing Team to promote efficiency, collaboration, and continuous process improvement.
- Make recommendations regarding underwriting processes and communicate approved changes to applicable stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
- Thorough understanding of real estate lending, credit analysis, and underwriting principles.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements and ethical lending practices.
- Ability to effectively communicate underwriting decisions and conditions to internal and external customers.
- Proficiency with loan underwriting software, automated underwriting systems, and documentation platforms.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Working Relationships
- Works closely with Loan Officers, Processors, and other lending staff.
- Interacts with internal departments and external customers to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes for both the customer and the bank.
Experience
- Previous experience in loan underwriting with a strong understanding of mortgage loan processing