CREDIT EXCEPTIONS UNDERWRITER

Mortgage Credit Exception Underwriter

Job Title: Mortgage Credit Exception Underwriter

Position Summary:
 The Mortgage Credit Exception Reviewer is responsible for evaluating mortgage loan files that fall outside standard underwriting guidelines. This role reviews credit exceptions, analyzes borrower risk, ensures compliance with investor and regulatory requirements, and makes sound recommendations based on compensating factors. The position requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of mortgage lending guidelines, and the ability to balance risk management with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Review mortgage loan applications requiring credit exceptions to established underwriting guidelines. 
• Analyze borrower credit history, income, assets, collateral, and overall risk profile. 
• Evaluate compensating factors to determine the acceptability of credit exceptions. 
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, agency guidelines, investor requirements, and internal lending policies. 
• Document exception decisions with clear, detailed rationale. 
• Collaborate with underwriters, loan officers, processors, quality control teams, and management to resolve complex loan scenarios. 
• Identify trends in exception requests and recommend process improvements. 
• Maintain high levels of accuracy while meeting production and turnaround time standards. 
• Participate in audits, quality assurance reviews, and regulatory examinations as needed. 
• Stay current on changes to mortgage regulations, underwriting guidelines, and investor requirements. 

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of mortgage underwriting (most recent 2 years specifically Non-QM), credit risk, or mortgage quality control experience. 
• Strong knowledge of all Non-QM loan products (DSCR, bank statement, asset qualification, full doc, P&L and 1099). 
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. 
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities. 
• Proficiency with Encompass and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

Core Competencies

• Credit risk analysis 
• Mortgage underwriting 
• Regulatory compliance 
• Critical thinking 
• Attention to detail 
• Sound judgment 
• Time management 
• Collaboration and communication 
• Decision documentation 
• Customer focus 

Working Conditions

• Part time
• Remote
• Ability to meet established production, quality, and service-level expectations. 
• Occasional overtime may be required to meet business needs.