Guild Mortgage Company, closing loans and opening doors since 1960. As a mortgage banking firm we are dedicated to serving the home owner/buyer. Our goal is to provide affordable home financing for our customers, utilizing the best terms available while providing a level of professionalism and service unsurpassed in the lending industry.

Position Summary

The Lead Underwriter plays an important role in the organization by performing a number of activities related to the company’s retail operations functions.  The role is primarily responsible, under limited supervision, for underwriting conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, new construction, and condominium project loans according to company, secondary market investor, and government agency standards.  This includes ensuring all tax, title, insurance, and closing documentation associated with the loan applications are accurate and complete, and approving or denying loan applications based on compliance with underwriting standards and risk management factors.  The Lead Underwriter is considered the “go to” subject matter expert when the Supervisor/Manager is not available.

Essential Functions

• Review and evaluate loan documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company standards, federal and agency standards and guidelines, as well as any applicable state-specific and or local regulations, ordinances, etc.
• Analyze customer’s loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, credit report, application, income and assets, source(s) of down payment funds, and supporting documentation to identify potential fraud or misrepresentation.
• Review appraisals to ensure that loans meet secondary market, investor, and company standards.
• Work with Loan Processors and Loan Officers on collecting information and documentation necessary to finalize incomplete loan packages.
• Determine if additional documentation or information would aid loan decision; request additional documentation or information accordingly.
• Provide options and recommendations to borrowers regarding suitable loan programs.
• Stay abreast of current regulations and industry trends that affect compliance and decision-making.
• Verify that system input is accurate and that company systems match Automated Underwriting System (AUS).
• Train and provide guidance to less experience underwriters with loan specific questions.
• Use expertise to answer questions and resolve escalated issues from junior-level teammates.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college courses/technical training related to Business, Finance/Accounting, Legal, or related field is preferred, along with total recent work experience that includes six or more years underwriting conventional, FHA, VA, or Bond Program loans, and/or six or more years experience underwriting jumbo, or permanent/one-time close loans.
• Direct Endorsement (DE) certification required; must have current certification(s) for any assigned region with state-specific requirements to originate/supervise loans, along with endorsements including Direct, VA, Auto and SAR.
• Expert-level knowledge of overall mortgage lending processes, including underwriting, funding, and loan processing.
• Expert-level knowledge of valid documentation related to the processing consumer mortgage applications (e.g., tax returns, financial statements and records, verification of income and deposits, etc.).
• Expert-level knowledge of underwriting and regulatory requirements; detailed knowledge of federal, state, and regulatory requirements/guidelines related to consumer mortgage lending and internal processes and controls.
• Ability to think critically, including the ability to evaluate facts and data to draw conclusions, and determine the downstream impact of decisions and associated risks.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment; strong sense of urgency and responsiveness.
• Intermediate math skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong detail orientation and highly organized.
• Prior experience using internal data entry systems, Microsoft Word, Excel and PDF/Document Retention programs.

Supervision

• Limited supervision required, depending on experience
• High levels of independent judgment and discretion required; resolves escalated issues of high complexity
• Provides guidance to less experienced teammates
• Travel: 0%

Requirements

• Physical: Work is primarily sedentary; occasionally walks and/or stands.
• Manual Dexterity: Frequent use of computer keyboard and mouse.
• Audio/Visual: Ability to accurately interpret sounds and associated meanings at a volume consistent with interpersonal conversation. Regularly required to accurately perceive, distinguish and interpret information received visually and through audio; e.g., words, numbers and other data broadcasted aloud/viewed on a screen, as well as print and other media.
• Environmental: Office environment – no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Guild offers a pleasant work environment, competitive compensation and excellent benefits package; including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, LTD and 401(k) with employer match.

Guild Mortgage Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position offers eligibility for incentive compensation.

Compensation at Guild is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to local and federal minimum wage requirements, education, level of experience, and applicant’s geographical location.