Senior Mortgage Underwriter: Complex FHA/HUD Loans

Columbia Bank Northeast; Fair Lawn (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Bank seeks an experienced mortgage underwriter to handle complex residential loans, including FHA, Correspondents, and bank-originated products. You will ensure file accuracy, compliance with TRID, and HUD/Secondary Market guidelines, and you will train processors and junior underwriters.

Responsibilities include income verification, asset checks, and approval decisions within authority, with collaboration across Account Executives and processing teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of mortgage underwriting experience.
• Solid understanding of Freddie Mac and HUD rules and guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Underwrites the most complex residential first mortgage loans (FHA, Correspondents, and Bank originated) to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Evaluate and analyze all income types; calculate qualifying income and verify data integrity.
• Review and interpret DU/LP/FHA Total Score Card; resubmit data to automated systems.
• Grant initial and final approval for loans within lending authority; escalate beyond authority as needed.
• Provide training and guidance to mortgage processors and underwriters; support the team.

Skills

Mortgage underwriting

HUD/Freddie guidelines

Encompass LOS

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

College degree

Tools

Encompass LOS

Job description

Columbia Bank seeks an experienced mortgage underwriter to handle complex residential loans, including FHA, Correspondents, and bank-originated products. You will ensure file accuracy, compliance with TRID, and HUD/Secondary Market guidelines, and you will train processors and junior underwriters.

Responsibilities include income verification, asset checks, and approval decisions within authority, with collaboration across Account Executives and processing teams.