Role Description The Consumer & Mortgage Executive Underwriter serves as the highest level of consumer lending underwriting authority for Houston Federal Credit Union and provides backup executive underwriting support for residential mortgage lending. This position is responsible for independently evaluating complex consumer and mortgage loan applications that exceed standard underwriting authority while ensuring sound credit decisions that align with HFCU's lending philosophy, risk appetite, regulatory requirements, and loan policy. The Executive Underwriter exercises independent judgment in assessing creditworthiness, collateral, repayment capacity, and overall lending risk. This individual serves as a subject matter expert for consumer lending, provides guidance and support to lending staff and underwriters, assists with policy interpretation, and collaborates with executive management to maintain a high-quality loan portfolio while delivering exceptional member service. The position supports the Chief Lending Officer in achieving organizational lending goals through consistent credit decisioning, portfolio quality management, process improvement initiatives, and adherence to applicable federal and state regulations. Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Maintains availability during scheduled business hours to independently review, analyze, and decision complex consumer loan requests that exceed Standard or Senior Underwriter authority. - Evaluates borrower creditworthiness through comprehensive analysis of income, assets, liabilities, collateral, credit history, debt-to-income ratios, cash flow, repayment capacity, and other relevant risk factors. - Approves, denies, counters, or conditions loans within delegated lending authority while documenting clear and complete underwriting rationale. - Ensures all underwriting decisions comply with Houston Federal Credit Union Loan Policy, applicable federal and state regulations, and internal lending procedures. - Exercises sound lending judgment by balancing member service, portfolio quality, and institutional risk while maintaining established turnaround times. - Assists with underwriting lower-authority consumer loans during periods of increased volume to support departmental service levels. - Identifies policy exceptions, evaluates mitigating factors, and applies consistent underwriting standards. - Serves as a backup Executive Mortgage Underwriter by underwriting residential mortgage loans in accordance with investor guidelines, HFCU policy, and regulatory requirements when needed. - Participates in audits, examinations, quality control reviews, lending initiatives, policy development, and special projects, as assigned by the Chief Lending Officer. - Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Performance Measurements - Appropriate documentation of policy exceptions - Compliance with HFCU Loan Policy and all applicable federal and state regulations - Audit and Examination results - Contribution to portfolio quality - Delinquency ratios - Charge off ratios - Effective support provided to the lending teams and Chief Lending Officer - Application decision turnaround times Qualifications - Five to 8 years of similar or related experience which includes executive level consumer loan underwriting, executive level mortgage loan underwriting and exception reporting. - A bachelor's degree, or achievement of formal certifications recognized in the industry as equivalent to a bachelor's degree (e.g., information technology certifications in lieu of a degree). Knowledge and Skills - Excellent communication skills, professionalism, discretion, diplomacy, sound judgment, and the ability to explain complex credit decisions clearly and effectively. - Advanced knowledge of consumer and residential mortgage underwriting principles, financial analysis, credit risk assessment, collateral evaluation, and applicable lending regulations. - Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. - Proficiency with loan origination systems, automated underwriting systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other lending technologies. Physical Requirements - Requires prolonged periods of sitting while reviewing electronic loan files. - Frequent use of a computer and standard office equipment. - The ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically. - The ability to occasionally lift up to 20 pounds. Work Environment - Work is performed either remotely or in a professional office environment with minimal exposure to adverse conditions. - Occasional overtime may be required to meet business needs and established service level expectations.