Indirect Underwriter Lead

Description

Job  Summary

The Indirect Underwriter Lead serves as the senior underwriting resource for Sunward's indirect lending team. This role evaluates complex indirect consumer loan applications, makes sound credit decisions, and helps ensure consistent underwriting practices while balancing member service with prudent risk management.

In addition to underwriting loans, the Lead serves as a subject matter expert, mentors team members, assists with training and coaching, resolves complex lending issues, and partners with leadership to continuously improve underwriting processes.

 What You'll Do:

• Review and underwrite indirect consumer loan applications by analyzing creditworthiness, financial risk, collateral, income, debt-to-income ratios, loan-to-value ratios, and other supporting documentation.
• Evaluate borrower financial profiles and determine the likelihood of repayment using sound underwriting principles and established lending policies.
• Approve or decline loan applications within assigned lending authority and prepare recommendations for requests requiring higher approval authority.
• Ensure all lending decisions comply with credit union policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Clearly document underwriting decisions and communicate approvals, denials, conditions, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with loan processors, lending staff, dealerships, and other business partners to obtain additional information and facilitate timely loan decisions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with dealership partners to support the success of the indirect lending program.
• Serve as the department's subject matter expert for underwriting policies, procedures, and complex lending scenarios.
• Coach, mentor, and train underwriters while helping develop technical knowledge across the team.
• Identify knowledge gaps and partner with leadership to improve consistency, quality, and service.
• Provide guidance and support to Associate, Specialist, and Senior Underwriters on complex loan decisions.
• Resolve escalated underwriting issues involving high-risk or highly complex transactions.
• Provide recommendations to management regarding underwriting policies, procedures, and process improvements.
• Support departmental operations during the absence of the manager or supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

 Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Familiar and comfortable with information technology, particularly digital means of communication.
• Strong organizational skills in managing multiple initiatives.   
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills

Knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of consumer credit and underwriting principles
• Expert with federal and state regulations affecting consumer loans
• Expert level knowledge of overall consumer lending processes, including underwriting and loan processing. 
• Expert level knowledge of valid documentation related to the processing of consumer tax returns, financial statements, verification of income, etc.)
• High level experience underwriting portfolio

Education and Experience:

• Minimum six years’ direct experience in consumer underwriting. 
• Minimum high school diploma/GED or more than six years of related experience. 

Physical Requirements: 

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift 5 pounds at times.