Assistant Vice President Underwriting

Northpointe Bank Inc; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life, LTD, & AD&D

Dependent Care Spending Plan (DCSA)

Employer Stock Ownership Plan with 401(k)

Complimentary Banking Services

Tuition Assistance

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a detail-oriented Assistant Vice President of Underwriting. This role is pivotal in shaping underwriting strategies and ensuring compliance while fostering a high-performing team culture. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in mortgage banking, showcasing leadership skills and a strong analytical mindset. You will collaborate cross-functionally to enhance operational excellence and drive business growth. If you are passionate about making a difference in the banking industry and thrive in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Qualifications

• 7+ years of underwriting experience in mortgage banking required.
• 5+ years of management experience overseeing underwriting teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop underwriting strategies aligning with bank goals.
• Ensure compliance with underwriting guidelines and regulations.
• Manage underwriting pipelines for efficiency and quality.

Skills

Leadership and Coaching

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Mortgage Underwriting Systems

Job description

The POWER of a CAREER! Northpointe Bank is seeking a detail-oriented, customer service-minded individual to join our team as an Assistant Vice President, Underwriting. This position requires an individual who has the desire to make a difference within the organization. An exceptional ability to grasp new concepts and learn while providing excellent service is critical for this position.

If you have been looking for an opportunity in the banking/mortgage industry, have the desire to work hard, are dedicated to your individual success, and take pride in the achievement and growth within a team, then we want to hear from you!

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Underwriting is responsible for leading, developing, and executing underwriting strategies that align with Northpointe Bank’s vision, mission, and values. This role oversees the underwriting leadership team, ensuring high-quality loan decisions, regulatory compliance, and efficient operations. The AVP will drive long-term growth and performance goals while fostering leadership development and operational excellence. The AVP will partner cross-functionally with Mortgage Leadership, Sales Management, and Operations to ensure a seamless mortgage process. Underwriting production may be required based on volume and customer needs. This role requires a strategic, analytical, and proactive leader who can influence risk culture, collaborate across departments, and exercise discretion on significant matters impacting the organization.

Responsibilities:

Underwriting Strategy & Business Growth

1. Develop and implement comprehensive underwriting strategies that align with Northpointe Bank’s long-term goals.
2. Establish underwriting performance metrics to ensure consistency, quality, and efficiency.
3. Drive process improvements to streamline loan decisions, reduce errors, and optimize turn times.

Team Leadership & Development

1. Lead, coach, and mentor underwriting leaders to foster professional development and ensure team success.
2. Oversee training programs to continuously enhance underwriting expertise and compliance knowledge.
3. Cultivate a high-performing, customer-focused underwriting culture that meets quality and production goals.

Operational Excellence & Workflow Optimization

1. Manage underwriting pipelines to ensure consistent turn times and capacity planning.
2. Develop and maintain job aids, training materials, and underwriting guidelines to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
3. Proactively address underwriting challenges and implement solutions to improve workflow and decision-making.

Compliance & Risk Management

1. Ensure strict adherence to underwriting guidelines, including FHA, VA, Conforming, Non-Conforming, and investor-specific programs.
2. Stay informed of regulatory changes and implement necessary adjustments to underwriting processes.
3. Oversee internal and external audit responses, ensuring findings are addressed and action plans are executed.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Communication

1. Partner with Mortgage Leadership and Sales Management to ensure alignment on underwriting decisions and process improvements.
2. Act as a liaison between underwriting, operations, and sales teams, ensuring seamless collaboration.
3. Clearly communicate policy decisions, guideline updates, and regulatory changes to underwriting teams.

Quality Control & Exception Management

1. Review quality control (QC) reports and post-closing conditions, identifying trends and training opportunities.
2. Handle escalated underwriting decisions and exception requests, ensuring risk is mitigated while maintaining service standards.
3. Monitor and enforce loan decision quality standards, ensuring salable, high-quality loans.

Technology & Process Enhancement

1. Leverage automation and technology tools to improve underwriting speed and accuracy.
2. Identify workflow inefficiencies and recommend system enhancements to drive operational improvements.
3. Work closely with IT and mortgage technology teams to implement underwriting system enhancements.

Compliance and Professional Standards

1. Meet established standards and guidelines regarding compliance, job knowledge, quality, attendance, efficiency, initiative, customer service, and overall performance.
2. Maintain confidentiality and data integrity while adhering to compliance standards in risk reporting and analysis.
3. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of compliance rules and regulations, including internal policies and procedures.
4. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and best practices, ensuring the Bank stays ahead of emerging risks.
5. Represent the Bank in industry working groups, regulatory discussions, and professional risk management forums.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
2. Minimum 7 years of underwriting experience in mortgage banking, with a strong understanding of secondary market guidelines.
3. Minimum 5 years of management experience, overseeing underwriting teams.

Technical & Industry Knowledge:

1. Extensive knowledge of FHA, VA, Conforming, and Non-Conforming lending guidelines.
2. Experience with quality control (QC) functions and audit responses.
3. VA LAPP preferred but not required.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and mortgage underwriting systems.

Leadership & Soft Skills:

1. Strong leadership and coaching abilities, with a focus on developing underwriting talent.
2. Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining underwriting accuracy and efficiency.
3. Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and presentation) with the ability to interact with executives, sales teams, and operations staff.
4. High attention to detail with the ability to handle a high-volume workload.
5. Proven ability to problem-solve and make data-driven underwriting decisions.

Compliance & Risk Management:

1. In-depth knowledge of federal and state mortgage regulations, investor guidelines, and risk management best practices.
2. Ability to interpret regulatory changes and implement appropriate underwriting adjustments.
3. Must maintain up-to-date compliance knowledge and complete required regulatory training assignments.

Other Requirements:

1. Ability to work flexible hours when needed to support business demands.
2. Any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Our Hiring Philosophy:

Northpointe Bank recognizes that the quality of our people is the foundation for our success. Attracting individuals who value a challenging work environment that rewards the contributions of its people is the cornerstone of our hiring philosophy.

It is the policy of Northpointe Bank and its subsidiaries to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, marital status, or other attributes not pertinent to the job requirements. This policy reflects our practice of making all employment decisions, from recruitment to promotions, based on an individual's qualifications without discrimination on any basis.

Benefit Information:

1. Medical
2. Dental
3. Vision
4. Life, LTD, & AD&D
5. Dependent Care Spending Plan (DCSA)
6. Employer Stock Ownership Plan with 401(k) feature and company match
7. Complimentary Banking Services
8. Tuition Assistance

AA - EOE