Average Entry-Level Loan Underwriter, Mortgage Salary in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description for Loan Underwriter, Mortgage

Mortgage loan underwriters are responsible for approving or rejecting mortgages. To make this decision, the mortgage underwriter must generate a risk report and demonstrate how the contents of the report are within the lender's guidelines for approval, or how the contents of the report fail to meet the guidelines. The first thing that mortgage underwriters do is obtain and review credit reports for prospective debtors. Next, they obtain information from prospective debtors about their income, and possibly their assets and other debts. Afterward, mortgage underwriters will determine what collateral is available that can be used to back the mortgage.

After mortgage underwriters have information on the debtors' credit, ability to repay, and possible collateral, the underwriters will generate reports that sum up the risks posed by offering the prospective debtors the requested mortgages. At this point, the underwriters may write in conditions for the mortgages. After analyzing all of the risks as a whole, the underwriters will then make a decision to either approve or reject the mortgages. However, the job does not end here. In either situation, the underwriters may need to explain the basis of their decisions to the clients, support staff or superiors. Excellent interpersonal skills are necessary to convince individuals who have a different tolerance for risk and who disagree with the mortgage underwriters' decisions.

Mortgage underwriters usually work in an office environment for banks and other lending institutions. The educational requirements vary, but the most important requirements are that the underwriter have appropriate certifications and an in depth understanding of the process and laws related to mortgage underwriting. (Copyright 2019 PayScale.com)

• Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine the risk involved in extending credit or lending money.
• Prepare reports based on the results from the risk analysis for use in decision-making.

Loan Underwriter, Mortgage Job Listings