Mortgage Underwriter

About this role

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture.

AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West.

We are in search of a Mortgage Underwriter I or II (internally known as Credit Underwriter or II) to join our Credit Approval department in Spokane, Washington (Headquarters). This full-time position reports to the Credit Approval and Underwriting III, VP and analyzes financial and business-related information from customers, applies financial expertise to determine credit worthiness and mitigate risk in the Country Home Loan (CHL) mortgage program.

Compensation Information

The base salary range for this position in Spokane, Washington is:

Level I: Typical starting range: $60,000 - $80,300 Full base salary range: $60,000 - $90,400 Annual performance-based incentive target is 10% of base.

Level II: Typical starting range: $66,200 - $88,700 Full base salary range: $66,200 - $99,900 Annual performance-based incentive target is 12% of base.

*Relocation assistance will be provided to eligible candidates who must relocate to accept this position.

Essential Duties

• Financial Analysis

• Review CHL credit applications and supporting documentation to evaluate borrower credit worthiness, capital position, repayment capacity, collateral support and overall alignment with program requirements; analyze financial statements, including opinions and notes, tax records, “in house” prepared financial statements, and pro forma statements of potential borrowers to evaluate and ascertain credit worthiness.

• Analyze credit memos and document independent analysis of pro-forma balance sheets, projection review, repayment assessment, collateral evaluation, and key risk factors.

• Review and analyze for accuracy personal and complex business tax returns.

• Assess large, complex, or unique CHL loan requests and documentation to facilitate appropriate risk decisions and support sound compliant loan structures.

• Evaluate incomplete, inconsistent, or higher-risk loan information and identify documentation, policy or underwriting concerns that may impact approval decisions.

• Credit Administration

• Review, recommend, and approve or reject CHL loans within assigned delegated authority, with emphasis on adherence to underwriting limits, program guidelines and sound risk management practices.

• Route loan requests exceeding assigned authority to the appropriate approval channel, ensuring credit recommendations are complete, well-supported and clearly documented.

• Understand the organization’s credit philosophy and demonstrate the ability to conceptually apply it to loan recommendations and decisions and support deviations to CHL mortgage program guidelines.

• Provide field support for inquiries and potential loan requests, including early-stage guidance similar to a pre-approval process to help identify appropriate structure, documentation needs and potential credit concerns.

• Serve as a quality review point for CHL loans in process; suspend or return requests when documentation is lacking, information is inconsistent or issues arise that must be resolved before approval or closing.

• Clearly communicate and articulate the basis for credit decisions, conditions, approvals and denials, both verbally and in writing.

• Engage in direct and sometimes difficult conversations with field staff regarding loan approvals, denials, documentation gaps, policy expectations and risk-based recommendations.

• Make quality credit decisions to ensure implementation of sound, compliant loan structures adhering to AgWest documentation expectations, procedures, laws and regulations.

• Maintain knowledge about relevant policies and procedures with a broad understanding of products and services offered outside the department.

• Collaborate with various teams across assigned portfolio to support timely, accurate and well-documented credit decisions.

• Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies procedures, and internal controls.

• Other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements

• AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all-staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or ag-related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Ability to read or learn to read financial statements, tax records and other financial documents

• Ability to complete work in an acceptable timeframe to meet deadlines, goals, and objectives

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information

• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills

• Ability to become proficient with systems and process across the company

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to establish rapport and maintain confidence with internal customers while balancing customer service, documentation quality, and prudent credit risk management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of loan programs and financially related services

• Knowledge of agricultural practices

Workplace Flexibility

• After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend.

• This position is eligible for coordinated hybrid flexibility.

Benefits Offered by AgWest.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company)

• Paid days off annually: 1

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