Sr. Indirect Consumer Underwriter

About the role

The Sr. Indirect Consumer Loan Underwriter is responsible for evaluating and making credit decisions within granted lending authority at the highest level, in accordance with Credit Union policies, procedures, and lending guidelines. This position specializes in Indirect Auto and Specialty Lending, including automobiles, boats, motorcycles, RVs, and other eligible collateralized loan products. The role requires advanced underwriting expertise, sound credit judgment, and the ability to perform all Indirect Underwriting functions while serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and resource for the underwriting team and dealer partners. Additional responsibilities include providing guidance on complex loan scenarios, handling escalations, supporting dealer relationships, training and mentoring Underwriters, and promoting consistency in credit decisions. The position also supports process improvements, special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and the development of new and existing team members to enhance operational efficiency, underwriting quality, and overall lending performance. Provides underwriting support across Consumer Lending channels as business needs require, while maintaining primary responsibility for Indirect Lending operations.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates, analyzes, and underwrites consumer loan applications primarily received through the Indirect Lending channel, including Auto and Specialty Lending products; provides underwriting support to the Direct Consumer Lending channel as business needs require.
• Exercises independent lending authority and sound credit judgment when evaluating creditworthiness, income, collateral, and overall risk exposure; ensures credit decisions comply with established Credit Union policies, lending guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews and decisions complex credit applications requiring advanced underwriting knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; exercises elevated lending limits and designated exception authority while balancing credit risk, member needs, and organizational lending objectives.
• Communicates credit decisions, including approvals, denials, counteroffers, and stipulations, clearly and effectively to dealer partners, internal lending teams, and other appropriate stakeholders; provides guidance and clarification on underwriting decisions as needed.
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Indirect Consumer Lending, providing technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to Underwriters; assists with onboarding and training new team members while promoting consistency in underwriting practices and credit decisions.
• Identifies and recommends opportunities to improve underwriting processes, workflows, policies, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency, decision turnaround times, and the overall member and dealer experience.
• Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal departments, dealer relationship teams, and other business partners to promote collaboration, resolve escalations, and ensure consistent lending practices.
• Identifies opportunities for additional lending products and services when reviewing loan applications and funded Indirect loan packages, supporting member relationship development and Credit Union growth objectives.
• Collaborates with Loan Processing and Funding teams to ensure loan packages meet established underwriting requirements, documentation standards, and service level expectations; assists with resolving complex loan scenarios and funding-related escalations.
• Supports overall Consumer Lending performance by maintaining established productivity, quality, and service level expectations while assisting with workload management and underwriting coverage as operational needs require.
• Participates in special projects, cross-functional initiatives, process enhancements, and interim assignments; provides subject matter expertise, training, and operational support to advance departmental objectives and strengthen underwriting capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education: HS Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of work experience in Consumer Loan or Indirect Underwriting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Indirect Auto and Specialty Lending products, underwriting guidelines, loan documentation requirements, policies, procedures, and lending practices.
• Advanced understanding of consumer credit analysis, including creditworthiness, income verification, debt-to-income (DTI), loan-to-value (LTV), collateral valuation, and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound credit judgment and independent decision-making within assigned lending authority, including complex credit scenarios, policy exceptions, and elevated lending limits.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state consumer lending laws and regulations, including NCUA requirements, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B), Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Identity Theft Red Flags requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of member information and adhere to established information security standards, internal controls, and organizational policies and procedures.

Skills

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex loan requests, identify potential risks, and recommend appropriate lending solutions.
• Ability to identify process gaps, recommend improvements, and support initiatives that enhance underwriting efficiency, decision quality, and service level performance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate credit decisions, lending requirements, and policy interpretations to management, team members, dealer partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, demonstrating professionalism, empathy, courtesy, and tact when interacting with internal and external business partners.
• Ability to effectively manage difficult conversations, dealer escalations, and complex lending scenarios while maintaining professionalism and a solution-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), providing technical guidance, coaching, mentoring, and training to new and existing Underwriters.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple responsibilities, and consistently meet productivity, quality, and service level expectations.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative, team-oriented approach that supports departmental and organizational objectives.
• Proficiency in consumer loan origination systems, automated decisioning platforms, and related lending technologies; experience with MeridianLink Consumer Loan Origination System (CLOS), CUDL, Dealertrack, AppOne, IMM, DocuSign, and Fiserv DNA preferred.
• Ability to adapt to changing lending policies, regulatory requirements, technology enhancements, and operational priorities while maintaining consistent underwriting performance.

Work environment

Dynamic hybrid work arrangement requiring three days of on-site work per week in the Post Oak, Galleria, TX office. While performing essential duties, the employee frequently stands, walks, and sits. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.