Mortgage Underwriting Manager

Job Description:

This position shall be responsible for managing the mortgage underwriting function for the organization, including providing required mortgage underwriting in accordance with both internal guidelines and secondary market standards to provide maximum profitability to the bank with minimum risk. This position assists in training the mortgage loan officers, operations staff, and processing function.

Qualifications: This person should have a bachelor's degree plus six years of related experience, or the equivalent. Direct endorsement (DE) certification is required. This person must have the ability to exercise independent and sound underwriting judgment and effectively apply knowledge of regulatory and industry guidelines to loan decisions. Familiarity with Encompass or similar software is preferred. Good verbal and written communication skills and analytical thinking are necessary, as well as an aptitude for supervising and developing others.

Principal responsibilities are to:

1. Lead the team and develop an atmosphere of teamwork, open communication, and unity. Provide oversight of all services offered. Actively mentor staff and ensure they are trained, evaluated, and motivated to perform their responsibilities in an effective and progressive manner.

2. Review and analyze Conventional, FHA, VA and USDA mortgage applications and documentation for accuracy and completeness per compliance with Bank standards, federal and agency standards and guidelines, investor requirements, applicable state-specific and or local regulations, ordinances, etc.

3. Review loan requests for credit quality, collateral eligibility, properly executed documentation, and compliance with HMDA, Fair Lending, and applicable lending regulations. Approve, suspend, or deny loan requests based on established industry standards. Communicate credit decisions to the mortgage loan officer and processor and clarify any necessary requirements to resolve outstanding underwriting issues.

4. Follow Secondary market programs and Bank Loan Policy and Guidelines to underwrite mortgage loans for quality, consistency, and potential risk.

5. Assist Credit Administration department activities in training for the mortgage loan operations staff and processing function according to established procedures, including preparation and monitoring of all loan documentation from origination to closing. Training would also encompass identification of complete and accurate documentation for all loans, and submission of loan requests for underwriting.

6. Manage volumes and workflow while assisting Mortgage processing where needed to ensure that closings are prepared and delivered timely and accurately.

7. Work with the Compliance team as applicable, to implement changes to laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance. Attend seminars and other educational opportunities as needed.

8. Attend loan/compliance department meetings as requested by management to participate in decisions that affect ongoing and future operations of each department. Lead monthly calls with lending staff.

9. Advise and assist management by continuously maintaining and updating the bank's Loan Policy and Guidelines according to established procedures.

10. Provide support to lending staff with origination, underwriting preparation, and applicable closings.

11. Act in accordance with FBT policies and procedures as set forth in the employee handbook.

12. Adhere to compliance procedures and participate in required compliance training.

Compensation Grade
Salary Grade 7

First Bank & Trust is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Read our complete Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement. Applicants who would like to request reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process should call Human Resources at [redacted] or email [redacted].

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