Consumer Loan Underwriter

The Consumer Loan Underwriter is responsible for evaluating, analyzing, and making credit decisions on consumer loan applications. This role assesses risk, ensures compliance with lending policies and regulations, and delivers decisions that balance customer needs with organizational risk appetite. The underwriter works closely with MLOs, Loan Processor, and Credit Management Team to ensure timely, accurate, and responsible lending decisions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and analyze consumer credit applications for home equity products, and other retail lending product (as deemed applicable).
• Assess applicant financial information including credit reports, income documents, bank statements, employment verification, and accurately calculate debt-to-income ratios.
• Determine creditworthiness and compliance with applicable program guidelines.
• Recommend appropriate conditions to support the credit decision to approve, conditionally approve applications within assigned delegated credit authority limits set by the Bank, or deny applications.
• Document underwriting decisions clearly and accurately in the loan origination system.
• Perform timely reviews of stipulation/conditions included on loan approvals
• Provide rationale for decisions and maintain proper audit trails.
• Communicate decision details and required conditions to MLO and Processors.

Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Identify potential risks, fraud indicators, and inconsistencies in documentation.
• Ensure loan decisions comply with internal policies, regulatory requirements (e.g., ECOA, Fair Lending, FCRA), and investor guidelines as deemed applicable.

Collaboration & Communication

• Work with internal teams to resolve application issues, identify any missing information, and explain underwriting requirements.
• Support customer-facing staff by interpreting credit policies and providing guidance on structuring deals.

Quality, Reporting & Process Improvement

· Maintain high accuracy and productivity standards while meeting turnaround time based on established Service Level Agreement.

· Assist with portfolio analysis, quality control reviews, and policy updates as deemed necessary by Credit Management.

· Identify opportunities to streamline underwriting processes and enhance risk controls.

Qualifications / Education

· Bachelor's degree in finance, Business, Accounting, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).

Experience

· 5+ years of consumer underwriting or Residential lending experience (depending on seniority level).

· Familiarity with credit scoring models (e.g., FICO), 

· Proficient with loan origination system, Encompass. 

Skills

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Knowledge of consumer lending regulations and credit risk principles.

· Excellent attention to detail and documentation accuracy.

· Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.

· Ability to manage multiple applications and meet strict deadlines.

Competencies

· Judgment & Decision-Making - 

· Risk Awareness 

· Customer Focus

· Integrity & Compliance

· Time Management

· Data Analysis

Responsible for compliance with following regulations (if applicable):

• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)
• Anti Money Laundering (AML)
• Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)
• Know your Customer (KYC)
• Deposit related regulations
• (i.e. Reg. DD- Truth In Savings, Reg. E-Electronic Funds Transfer Act, etc.), as applicable 
• Lending related regulations
• (i.e. Reg. B- Fair Lending, Reg. C-HMDA, Reg. Z- Truth Lin Lending Act, etc.), as applicable 
• Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)
• Privacy
• Unfair, Deceptive, Abusive, Acts or Practices (UDAAP)

USCB Policies and Procedures: All officers and employees of the bank are to maintain an understanding of all USCB Polices and Procedures as outlined in the bank's shared drive. All employees are to follow said polices and procedures and report any knowledge of a variance of the same.

Qualifications and Requirements: To perform this job successfully, and individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common business, banking, documents. Able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers or members of the business community. Ability to write reports and business correspondence conform to prescribed style and format, relate well with others and quickly create a working rapport. Must have the ability to present information to management, employees, and customers.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; and two years related experience and/ or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. 

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The work environment is a climate-controlled office setting where the noise level is usually moderate.

Work Habits: Include regular attendance, teamwork, initiative, dependability, and promptness.

Disclaimer: This job description is not employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time.

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