Senior Merchant Underwriter

KURV•Cleveland, OH

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Merchant Underwriter reviews and analyzes merchant applications and existing accounts, then makes credit-risk decisions and recommendations, with an emphasis on medium- and high-risk merchants, including high-volume, e-commerce, and forward-delivery business models such as travel. The role requires independent decision-making within designated authority, consistent application of underwriting guidelines, analysis of credit exposure, effective responses to internal and external requests, and attention to ethical standards, synthetic fraud trends, merchant risk, and compliance. The underwriter communicates results to partner clients and supports the development of less experienced team members. The position conducts detailed credit and financial analysis of merchants with forward-delivery exposure, evaluates the associated risk, and recommends approval terms such as reserves, escrow, or collateral. It also prepares reports and presents findings to senior management; recommends risk-mitigation terms, periodic reviews, reserve levels, and processing limits; and refers applications beyond its authority to higher management. The role works with the transaction risk team to align credit decisions with transaction processing and ongoing account risk. The Senior Merchant Underwriter serves as an escalation point and subject-matter resource for Underwriter I/II staff, reviews junior team members’ decisions and provides quality-assurance feedback as needed, and assists with training. The position builds relationships with sales partners, sponsor banks, and internal teams, and ensures underwriting activities comply with company policy, card network rules, industry regulations, and legal requirements. Accurate decision records and underwriting documentation must be maintained.

Requirements

At least 5 years of payments or merchant underwriting experience, including at least 3 years managing high-risk and/or high-volume merchants.
Experience analyzing individual and company credit reports and interpreting financial statements.
Working knowledge of card network high-risk/high-brand-risk merchant monitoring programs and related compliance obligations.
Thorough understanding of merchant risk fees, dispute processes, and network registration requirements.
Strong analytical and financial review skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting findings to senior management.
Ability to mentor or guide junior underwriting staff.
Ability to operate independently within designated approval authority while maintaining sound judgment and compliance standards.
Ability to underwrite and decide applications in a fast-paced environment, meet departmental SLAs, and maintain accuracy.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or a related field; equivalent work experience is also accepted.

Responsibilities

Conduct detailed credit and financial analysis of merchants with forward-delivery exposure, including travel, furniture, and consulting services.
Evaluate forward-delivery risk and recommend approval terms such as reserve, escrow, or collateral requirements.
Prepare detailed reports and present findings and recommendations to senior management.
Recommend risk-mitigation terms, periodic reviews, reserve levels, and processing limits.
Refer applications outside personal approval authority to higher management with recommendations.
Work with the transaction risk team to align credit decisions with transaction processing and ongoing account risk.
Serve as an escalation point and subject-matter resource for Underwriter I/II staff on complex or high-risk applications.
Review junior team members’ underwriting decisions and provide quality-assurance feedback as needed.
Assist in training new underwriters on high-risk merchant factors and underwriting methodology.
Build and maintain relationships with sales partners, sponsor banks, and internal teams.
Ensure underwriting complies with company policy, card network rules, industry regulations, and legal requirements.
Maintain accurate records and proper documentation of underwriting decisions and activities.
Underwrite and decide applications in a fast-paced environment while meeting departmental SLAs and maintaining accuracy.
Analyze credit exposure, identify synthetic fraud and merchant-risk trends, respond to internal and external requests, and communicate results to partner clients.