Senior Mortgage Underwriter

Job Description:

The SouthState story is one of steady growth, deep community roots, and an unwavering commitment to helping our customers move forward. Since our beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a trusted financial partner across the South and beyond - we are known for combining personal relationships with forward-thinking solutions.

We are committed to helping our team members find their success while maintaining the integrity of our values: building trust, fostering lasting relationships and pursuing excellence. At SouthState, individual contributions are recognized, potential is cultivated and team members are inspired to achieve their greater purpose. Your future begins here!

SUMMARY/OBJECTIVES

Functions include underwriting residential mortgage loans to ensure loans meet the guidelines of applicable insuring and guaranteeing agencies, investors, and SouthState Bank; utilizing applicable Automated Underwriting Systems; and reviewing information to detect fraud.  Ensures compliance with SouthState Bank Corporate Code of Conduct and Ethics and other operating procedures.  May supervise a team of underwriters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Underwrites residential first mortgage loans within assigned lending authority according to applicable guidelines of insuring and guaranteeing agencies, secondary market investors, and/or SouthState Bank credit policies. 
• Examines documentation provided by borrowers and third-party verification sources for validity and compliance with AUS findings and/or manual underwriting standards.
• Reviews property appraisals to ensure collateral acceptability in accordance with corporate, agency and investor standards.
• Reviews fraud reports and conditions loans appropriately for resolution of issues.
• Issues loan approvals, reviews and clears underwriting conditions
• Issues loan denials and forwards for second review/or
• Responds to questions from Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Processors, Closers, and others regarding underwriting decisions and/or conditions and/or general policy and scenario questions.
• Performs second reviews of denied loans
• Updates Loan Origination System and Automated Underwriting Systems
• Mortgage Loan Underwriter Senior can underwrite multiple loan types and/or loans with highly complex income and loan scenarios using AUS findings or manual underwriting processes.   Serves as an expert resource to other underwriters, sales partners, and others outside the mortgage division for consultation on complex income and loan scenarios, appraisals, and other mortgage underwriting topics within designated specialty area of underwriting.
• Accepts and performs other duties as deemed to be essential.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPETENCIES

• Interpersonal Relationships – Maintains stable performance and emotional control when faced with opposition and pressure from others and/or stressful conditions
• Communication – Asks questions as necessary for clarification purposes; keeps others accurately informed; handles all communication in a timely manner; keeps communications confidential; communicates good and bad news in a professional manner; explains decisions and considers additional information presented by Mortgage Loan Officers or others.
• Attention to Detail – Provides accurate and consistent paperwork, is thorough in accomplishing tasks, monitors and checks work or information
• Collaboration – Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group of people, working toward the same solutions to benefit all involved parties
• Planning and Organization – Organizes time and resources efficiently; manages multiple tasks; meets deadlines consistently
• Customer Centric – Considers the impact on internal and external customers when carrying out one’s own job tasks.  Demonstrates appropriate sense of urgency and responds to situations requiring special attention or action to meet customer needs.
• Reliability - Completes all assigned tasks on time and with minimal supervision; is punctual, present for work and accessible; fulfills commitments made to co-workers and supervisor; informs appropriate individuals when assigned tasks will not be completed in agreed upon time frame.
• Complex problem solving – Analyzes loan scenarios, underwriting guidelines, customer financial factors involving substantial complexity and finds solutions in the best interest of all involved.

Qualifications, Education, and Certification Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Experience: 10 - 12 years in the mortgage industry; 7 - 9 years underwriting experience
• Certifications/Specific Knowledge: Must be able to multi-task; good computer, organizational and customer service skills; accurate typing, spelling and grammar skills. Must be able to work in a team environment.

#LI-REMOTE

In accordance with Colorado law: Colorado pay for this position is anticipated to be between $74,400.00 - $118,848.00 , actual offers to be determined based on applicant’s skills, experience and education.

While the anticipated deadline for the job posting is 05-10-2026, we encourage you to submit your application as we may still consider qualified candidates beyond this date.

Benefits | SouthState Careers

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled/veterans.