Underwriting Specialist

Founded in 2007, Payliance is a trusted leader in payments processing, serving businesses across lending, e-commerce, collections, and gaming industries. With over $50 billion processed annually, Payliance supports more than 40,000 merchant locations and over 350 lending clients, enabling them to streamline payment acceptance, reduce costs, and mitigate fraud risks.

Our Payments-as-a-Service platform processes over 11.5 million transactions monthly, ensuring secure and reliable payment processing. With more than 20 years of industry expertise, Payliance supports four core payment methods: Automated Clearing House (ACH), Remote Check Capture (RCC), Credit/Debit Cards, and Real-Time Payments (RTP), and seamlessly integrates with leading Loan Management Systems.

Backed by Serent Capital, a growth-focused private equity firm, Payliance continues to drive innovation and deliver measurable value to its clients.

Job Summary

Payliance is seeking an experienced Underwriting Specialist with a strong background in merchant underwriting, especially in ISO/ISV partnership environments. This role is ideal for a self-driven professional with 2+ years of merchant underwriting experience who can quickly grasp our ISO/ISV-driven underwriting model and operate with minimal supervision. You will be empowered to make frontline risk decisions and will serve as a key liaison between our Risk team, Sales team, and external partners. The ideal candidate will combine analytical rigor with excellent communication skills to ensure sound underwriting decisions and positive partner relationships.

Essential Duties & Other Duties:

• Independently review and underwrite new merchant applications by analyzing business models, financial statements, credit reports, and compliance checks. Apply Payliance's underwriting criteria to determine risk level and required conditions (e.g. reserves, limits). Make approval or decline recommendations and exercise delegated authority for frontline decisions within policy guidelines. Serve as the primary underwriting contact for merchants referred by Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs). Communicate and coordinate with internal and external agents/partners throughout the application process, gathering additional information and explaining requirements or decisions. Ensure smooth information flow with partners and maintain a professional relationship that supports mutual growth.

• Clearly convey underwriting decisions, risk findings, and rationale to internal Sales representatives and account managers. Educate stakeholders on underwriting requirements and timelines to set proper expectations.

• Ensure each underwriting decision complies with Payliance's risk policies and industry regulations (ACH, Card network rules, KYC/AML). Verify that all required due diligence (e.g. identity verification, OFAC/MATCH checks, bank account verification) is completed for each merchant. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of high-risk industries and prohibited business types to identify any compliance concerns early.

• Assist in reviewing and refining underwriting policies and procedures, ensuring they align with industry best practices and evolving business needs.

• Participate in underwriting meetings to review cases, collaborate on processing limits and other account updates with team members.

• Document underwriting decisions and findings comprehensively, defending decisions with appropriate risk-based rationale.

• Monitor and update case tracking tools, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of underwriting activities.

• Stay current on underwriting trends, techniques, and tools, implementing best practices to improve operational efficiency and decision quality.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

• A background in Risk Analytics or a bachelor's degree in an analytic discipline (mathematics, statistics, and economics) or equivalent experience.[AS1]

• 2-4 years of related experience

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in underwriting in the financial services industry or for payment focused fintech, including auto-decisioning environments.

• Strong background in underwriting and/or risk management within the ACH, eCheck and Card processing industries.

• Experience in an ISO / ISV underwriting ecosystem, including navigating complex and layered communications.

• Experience with NACHA or Regional Payments Associations (EPCOR, UMACHA, Wespay, etc)

• Certifications such as CPP, AAP, APRP, ACAMS

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.

• Understanding of NACHA rules and guidelines, Payment Regulations, and payment best practices of the financial industry.

• Solid grasp of merchant risk factors, financial analysis, and underwriting tools (credit bureau reports, bank statements, fraud/credit scoring systems, MATCH, etc.). Familiarity with high-risk industries and enhanced due diligence practices is a plus.Research skills to validate customer provided documents and identify potential risks and issues.

• Solution oriented mindset to develop risk mitigation plans for customers where appropriate

• A quantitative and analytic approach to solving business problems

• Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings

• Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills

• Proficient with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

In a standard office environment:

• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently

• Frequent interactions with our Sales and Underwriting team members

In a remote office environment:

• Remote work from a home office with online collaboration

• Requires reliable internet connection and a quiet, dedicated workspace

• Regular communication with team members via virtual platforms

• Primarily involves sitting for extended periods and working at a computer

• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities

At Payliance we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to:

• Competitive salary

• Single and Family Health Insurance plans, including Dental and Vision coverage

• Short-Term and Long-Term disability

• Matching 401(k)

• Competitive Paid Time Off

Job Description Disclaimer

While we have made the best attempt to document the requirements for this role, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Equal Employment Employer

Payliance is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Payliance will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the subsequent application process.