National Underwriter - Alberta

at  HomeEquity Bank

WHO WE ARE

HomeEquity Bank is a Schedule 1 Canadian chartered bank and the leading national provider of reverse mortgages, with a growing portfolio. As the only bank solely dedicated to serving homeowners 55 and up, we’re passionate about helping Canadian homeowners live retirement on their terms. We live that commitment every day, with a range of reverse mortgage solutions that include our flagship CHIP Reverse Mortgage™ product.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Credit and Underwriting, the National Underwriter’s main role is to evaluate residential mortgage applications following the Bank’s credit policies and guidelines. After the evaluation, the National Underwriter makes decisions to approve or decline mortgage loan applications. The National Underwriter liaises with various internal (sales, loan documentation and funding teams) and external (appraisers) partners during the mortgage evaluation process and loan fulfillment and funding processes. The National Underwriter is expected to make credit decisions that ensure mortgage loans are safe and sound and that HomeEquity Bank’s standards are adhered to. These standards contribute to the high quality of HomeEquity Bank’s mortgage portfolio.
The ideal candidate must have an underwriting experience from a personal lending space with preference given to underwriting residential mortgages. The candidate possesses excellent analytical skills and attention to detail for credit evaluation and decision as well as strong oral and written communication skills to write application reviews and discuss decisions to management and internal sales partners.
The ideal candidate is results oriented and has strong organizational skills to meet deadlines. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of the residential real estate market, real estate market trends, and industry lending practices.

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE ROLE:Key accountabilities of this position include:

• Evaluate mortgage applications, verify supporting documentation, review and ensure accuracy of information in the Bank’s loan system, and provide decisions on the applications or refer applications to management for approval
• Ensure a thorough evaluation and decision that complies with the Bank’s policies, guidelines and operating procedures Document clear and complete decision notes and conditions of approved applications in the Bank’s loan system
• Establish and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with internal and external partners
• Escalate credit exceptions to Team Lead and/or Management that are outside of National Underwriter’s established authority limits
• Interact with internal business partners for collection and follow up of all required documents to satisfy the mortgage commitment conditions when required
• Review and verify accuracy of all required documents using sound due diligence and in compliance with internal policies, guidelines and procedures
• Adhere to the Bank’s established service level agreements
• Escalate any suspicious transactions to Management, the CRO and/or the CAMLO
• Action or participate in miscellaneous duties or projects as assigned

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University Degree or Community College Diploma
• Minimum 3+ years of underwriting experience from personal lending at a Canadian financial institution
• Ideally, 3+ years of residential mortgage underwriting experience at a Canadian financial institution
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; in both French and English (French applicable to bilingual roles)
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment
• Well organized and effective time management
• Excellent computer skills – Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

• Evaluate mortgage applications, verify supporting documentation, review and ensure accuracy of information in the Bank’s loan system, and provide decisions on the applications or refer applications to management for approval
• Ensure a thorough evaluation and decision that complies with the Bank’s policies, guidelines and operating procedures Document clear and complete decision notes and conditions of approved applications in the Bank’s loan system
• Establish and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with internal and external partners
• Escalate credit exceptions to Team Lead and/or Management that are outside of National Underwriter’s established authority limits
• Interact with internal business partners for collection and follow up of all required documents to satisfy the mortgage commitment conditions when required
• Review and verify accuracy of all required documents using sound due diligence and in compliance with internal policies, guidelines and procedures
• Adhere to the Bank’s established service level agreements
• Escalate any suspicious transactions to Management, the CRO and/or the CAMLO
• Action or participate in miscellaneous duties or projects as assigne