Mortgage Underwriter I

Title: Mortgage Underwriter I - REMOTE

Job Category: LENDING

Requisition Number: MORTG001447

Full-Time

Remote

Locations

Remote - USA

Purchase, NY 10522, USA

Remote - US

United States

Job Description:

Why You’ll Love Working at Quorum

At Quorum Federal Credit Union, we are a cutting-edge credit union that operates as a technology company, delivering innovative financial solutions to our members. As a remote organization, we thrive on collaboration and recognize outstanding performance. We are the ideal workplace for self-motivated individuals who are committed to organizational success and eager to join a dynamic team of professionals. We stand out as a best-in-class employer, offering a unique and supportive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our culture is built on valuing teamwork, recognizing achievements, and providing the tools and resources needed to excel. If you are looking for a place where you can make a meaningful impact, enjoy a flexible and fulfilling work experience, and be part of a forward-thinking team, Quorum Federal Credit Union is the perfect fit for you. 

How You’ll Make an Impact

We strive for innovation and new ways to solve complex problems to deliver on our promise in creating Banking That’s Good.  For You. As a Mortgage Underwriter I you will be responsible for independent analysis of moderately complex residential mortgage applications and making sound credit decisions in accordance with investor, agency, and company guidelines. This position supports high application volumes and must consistently achieve production levels, turn times and accuracy expectations. Additionally, this role demonstrates adaptability, embraces new technologies, and contributes to the continual improvement of the underwriting process. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

1. Complexity: Analyze and independently underwrite moderately complex mortgage products and scenarios, within level of authority. Loan products will evolve over time with our strategic direction, market demand, and alignment with investor and regulatory demands. Loan scenario complexity includes but is not limited to large loan balance, layering risk, varying income sources, multiple income streams, and loan exceptions.
2. Compliance: Underwrite all mortgage loan files in compliance with secondary market guidelines, specific product guidelines, credit union policies and procedures, and banking/Credit Union regulatory requirements.
3. Risk Assessment: Exercise sound, common-sense judgment when evaluating overall loan risk and determining loan eligibility ensuring decisions align with company risk tolerance and lending policies.
4. Production and Turn Times: Achieve required daily production levels and established turn times. Production expectations will increase over time with product/process streamlining and automation.
5. Accuracy: Review and validate standard documentation such as income, asset, credit, and collateral. Maintain exceptional accuracy and consistency in all underwriting functions, ensuring that system data and calculations (e.g., DTI, LTV, rate, and other loan metrics) are accurately updated and aligned with documentation, with minimal to no errors
6. Technology Utilization: Utilize provided automation solutions to ensure efficiency and operational controls. Automation may include but is not limited to Automated Underwriting System (AUS), income calculation, and more. Adopt new automation tools, systems, and process changes as implemented.
7. Loan Stages: Must perform underwriting functions in all stages of the application, including but not limited to initial underwriting decision, reviewing and approving conditions, and completing the final underwriting decision.
8. Pipeline Management: Manage daily pipelines efficiently by prioritizing tasks and communicating proactively with processors and loan officers. This will include managing loans from multiple lending channels including retail, wholesale and correspondent, as well as managing loans in various stages of the application process.
9. Escalation: Identify and escalate higher-risk or exception files to senior underwriting staff as appropriate.
10. Continuous Learning: Stay current with underwriting guidelines and technology and attend training sessions to build product and regulatory knowledge.
11. Collaboration: Exhibit a positive and collaborative team attitude, assisting peers and contributing to a supportive work environment. Maintains a positive work atmosphere by communicating in a manner consistent with professional standards to work effectively with members, co-workers, management, partners and vendors.
12. Other Duties: Performs additional duties as required.

What You Bring to the Team   

1. Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration or other related degree preferred.
2. Minimum of two to six years of related experience at a credit union, bank or other financial institution.
3. Excellent problem-solving, organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
4. Strong decision making and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects/duties.
5. Results driven, service oriented, self-motivated and able to work independently.
6. Detailed knowledge of secondary market guidelines. Some knowledge of regulatory guidelines and issues.
7. Complies with all requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators set forth in the SAFE Act, including, but not limited to successful completion of the required background checks and obtaining a Unique Identifier from the NMLRS.
8. Trustworthy with the ability to maintain highest level of integrity and trust.
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Related experience with Encompass loan origination systems.

Tools & Work Environment 

• The Mortgage Underwriter I performs a major portion of his/her duties through verbal and written communications. It is critical that he / she possess the ability to communicate with clarity, while understanding and explaining complex situations to team members and outside contacts. Accuracy is essential and he / she must possess the ability to proof read documentation and correspondence to insure free of errors and fraud. The person will spend a good portion of the day seated at a workstation, but may also be mobile throughout the credit union for purposes of meetings, working with others, etc.
• Stable internet connection with speeds high enough for video conferencing and screen sharing 
• Smartphone with current iOS/Android OS  
• Prolonged periods sitting at a workstation and working on a computer 
• Ability to communicate with coworkers and customers via email, chat, teleconference, and/or phone 

Where You Can Work  

Candidates must reside within the United States. We are not able to consider applicants who reside in Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, or Puerto Rico. 

Quorum's opportunities are based in the U.S., and U.S. work authorization is required. We are not able to provide current or future sponsorship.  

Compensation & Rewards   

Compensation for this role is $31.25 - $36.06 per hour with the potential for discretionary incentive compensation based on both company and individual performance.

 Benefits That Support You   

• Excellent health insurance packages with a Health Reimbursement Account option
• Life, AD&D, Short-Term Disability and Travel Insurance
• 401k plan with company match dollar for dollar up to 6 percent*
• Generous time-off policy with paid time off (PTO), volunteer time off (VTO), birthday PTO, and company-observed holidays
• Monthly stipend for wellness activities and mental health*
• Tuition reimbursement
• Pet Benefits, including insurance, discounts, “pawternity” PTO day, and more
• Bonus/commission plan for qualifying roles
• Employee perks (including mortgage discounts!)
• PTO purchase and sell-back programs
• Rewards and peer recognition programs
• Trust-based, out-come oriented remote work environment for most roles 

*After 6 months of service 

Interview Process & AI Usage

We embrace technology and are enthusiastic about the role AI can play in helping people work more effectively. We recognize that candidates may use AI tools to prepare for opportunities, research organizations, or refine application materials. During interviews and assessments, however, we are most interested in understanding your own experiences, judgment, problem-solving approach, and communication style. Please be prepared to discuss your work, decisions, accomplishments, and thought process in your own words. We look forward to getting to know the person behind the application.

 Important Compliance Information  

• Quorum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.  

• Quorum will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for applicants and/or employees with qualifying disabilities throughout the application and employment process. 

• Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, city and local laws, rules, and regulations. 

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. The company reserves the sole right and discretion to make changes to this job description. 

• Each employee is required to uphold the Credit Union's compliance with all policies, procedures, and required regulations including the Bank Secrecy Act and our Anti-Money Laundering policy. 

• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.