Commercial Underwriter

BMO U.S.; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accident and life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Job summary

BMO is seeking an experienced mortgage underwriter to evaluate new credit applications, adjudicate loans, and provide analytical insights for business objectives.

You will develop reports, support strategic initiatives, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure sound credit decisions and compliant processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of mortgage underwriting experience required.
• FHA and VA knowledge in the U.S. required.
• Strong understanding of HUD Handbook 4155.1 and 4155.2.

Responsibilities

• Analyzes new credit applications and makes credit decisions or recommendations.
• Generates regular and ad-hoc reports and dashboards for stakeholders.
• Supports strategic initiatives and change management activities.
• Ensures alignment and effective collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Adjudicates credit applications within defined limits following policy.

Skills

Mortgage underwriting

Credit analysis

Data driven decision making

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Stakeholder collaboration

Policy & compliance knowledge

Tools

DU/LP

Job description

Application Deadline: 10/04/2026
Address: VIRTUAL(S1)05 - HomeRes - CA
Job Family Group: Customer Solutions

Responsibilities

Analyzes new customer credit applications. Makes credit decisions / recommendations in accordance with credit-granting principles. Develops solutions and makes recommendations based on an understanding of the business strategy and stakeholder needs. Provides advice and guidance to assigned business/group on implementation of solutions. Supports the execution of strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy. Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on business objectives. Ensures alignment between stakeholders. Breaks down strategic problems, and analyzes data and information to provide insights and recommendations. Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards. Monitors and tracks performance and addresses any issues. Builds change management plans of varying scope and type; leads or participates in a variety of change management activities including readiness assessments, planning, stakeholder management, execution, evaluation and sustainment of initiatives. Supports the development of tailored messaging, which may include writing, editing, and distributing communications. Executes routine tasks (e.g. service requests, transactions, queries etc.) within relevant service level agreements. Provides input into the planning and implementation of operational programs. Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus. Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules. Works independently on a range of complex tasks, which may include unique situations. Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Adjudicates new credit applications within defined limits or recommends credit products based on sound credit granting principles. Completes credit analyses to adjudicate credit applications. Responds to incoming inquiries in a prompt and professional manner and escalates issues to superiors or other departments. Assists customers and conducts all credit and related transactions. Keeps current with established processes, policies, and regulations, and knowledge of products, credit policies, services, and relevant legal, regulatory, and technology requirements. May contact customers to obtain, clarify, or confirm information. Applies and documents sound credit granting applications and lending decisions. Follows security and safeguarding procedures to reduce credit/lending risks. Takes measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations.

Qualifications

• - 8+ years of mortgage underwriting experience - required.
• - Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the U.S. - required.
• - Strong comprehension of HUD Handbook 4155.1 and 4155.2 in the U.S. - required.
• - Prior relationship management experience - preferred.
• - Expertise in credit and lending products, related regulatory requirements, and secondary market guidelines.
• - Experience with web-based approval systems (DU/LP) - required.
• - In-depth pipeline management - required.
• - Strong comprehension of complicated income structures, including income from multiple sources (e.g. self-employment, rental or trust income, etc.).
• - In-depth knowledge of competitive marketplace and trends in product offerings.
• - Ability to identify/manage potential risk.
• - In-depth knowledge of cash flow, credit, and evaluating collateral.
• - In-depth knowledge of complex credit request structures that minimize risk while providing business value to the customer.
• - Working knowledge of credit policies, procedures, principles, and philosophy.
• - Thorough knowledge of software used to capture credit applications.
• - Strong ability to analyze complex financials and tax returns.
• - Strong familiarity with credit financial analysis techniques.
• - Technical proficiency gained through education and/or business experience.
• - Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.
• - Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.
• - Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth.
• - Influence skills - In-depth.
• - Data driven decision making - In-depth.

Salary: $55,000.00 - $120,000.00 Pay Type: Salaried

BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans.

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world. As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset. To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en

Equal Employment Opportunity

BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

Accommodations

BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Company Overview

BMO is a leading bank driven by a single purpose: to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Everywhere we do business, we’re focused on building, investing and transforming how we work to drive performance and continue growing the good.

Who we are We’re proud to be fueling growth and expanding possibilities for individuals, families and businesses. More than 12 million customers count on us for personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment services. As the 8th largest bank in North America by assets, we provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment services to more than 12 million customers. In Canada, the United States and across the globe, we’ll continue to build, invest and transform to drive performance that serves the good that grows.