Sr. Consumer Loan Underwriter Gulfport or NOLA 5258

Keesler Federal Career • Gulfport, MS

36d • Hybrid

About The Position

Keesler Federal Credit Union is seeking a Sr. Consumer Loan Underwriter to evaluate and decide consumer loan applications in accordance with credit union policies, regulatory requirements, and sound risk management practices. This role serves as a subject matter expert for the underwriting team, providing guidance, training, and support while balancing portfolio growth with prudent lending decisions. The position collaborates with branch and lending staff, handles escalated member issues, contributes to process improvements, and ensures timely, accurate, and member-focused service. The role also performs supervisory duties, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and employee support. The Sr. Consumer Loan Underwriter will assist in developing and testing new projects and process improvements for the Consumer Lending Department, serve as a Subject Matter Expert, maximize revenue by balancing market penetration with sound risk management, and ensure compliance with policies and guidelines. They will analyze consumer loan applications using credit bureau reports and other sources, participate in risk/opportunity meetings, and stay updated on policy changes. Responsibilities include working consumer lending queues, offering guidance on loan building and credit interpretation, contributing to department goals, and making or conditioning loan requests within their authority. The role handles escalated member complaints, acts as a point of contact in management's absence, builds rapport with branch personnel, and serves as a liaison between Central Lending and Retail Branch staff. They will monitor loan application queues, review credit reports and applications for sound decisions, evaluate credit information, identify debt restructuring alternatives, and recognize cross-selling opportunities. The position also involves reviewing loan documentation, verifying income and appraisals, and conducting training for the Underwriting team, ensuring compliance with Federal regulations like BSA and OFAC. Non-traditional work hours may be required, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• Associate’s Degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the functions of the position required.
• 5 - 7 years of similar or related consumer lending experience required.
• 5 - 7 years of previous auto finance retail underwriting (prime, sub-prime and / or non-prime) experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of consumer credit and trend analysis/analytics.
• Advanced knowledge of origination programs/tools such as Meridian Link, JD Power, etc.
• Must demonstrate the ability to understand and implement changing loan policies and procedures.
• Proficient in the use of computers and standard office technology, including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams).
• Demonstrates the ability to interact professionally and respectfully with members, coworkers, and external partners.
• Communicates information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, and listens attentively to understand questions or concerns.
• Maintains a courteous, cooperative, and service-oriented approach in a variety of work situations, including those involving differing perspectives or needs.
• Builds positive working relationships and contributes to a collaborative, inclusive, and member-focused environment.

Nice To Haves

• Supervisory experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and decisions consumer loan applications in accordance with credit union policies, regulatory requirements, and sound risk management practices.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for the underwriting team, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Balances portfolio growth with prudent lending decisions.
• Collaborates with branch and lending staff.
• Handles escalated member issues.
• Contributes to process improvements.
• Ensures timely, accurate, and member-focused service.
• Performs supervisory duties including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and employee support.
• Assists in the development and performs necessary testing of new projects and/or process improvements for the Consumer Lending Dept.
• Maximizes revenue by balancing market penetration with sound risk management principles.
• Analyzes and ensures consumer loan applications are in compliance with Keesler Federal policies and guidelines.
• Actively participates in risk/opportunity meetings; evaluates risk issues.
• Stays abreast of constant changes in policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Responsible for working the consumer lending queues for consumer loan applications.
• Offers guidance and assistance with loan building, credit interpretation, credit union policies and procedures to other staff members as needed.
• Responsible for contributing to department goals and standards as assigned by Lending Management.
• Decisions or conditions loan requests within the loan authority, working with underwriters of higher authority to expedite decisions.
• Responsible for evaluating and reviewing reports.
• Handles escalated member complaints in a courteous, professional manner.
• Serves as point of contact in the absence of management.
• Builds and strengthens rapport with Branch personnel by effectively and promptly communicating credit decisions and providing prompt dealer service.
• Serves as a liaison between Central Lending and the Retail Branch staff.
• Monitors the queue for loan applications.
• Reviews and interprets credit reports and loan applications to make sound loan decisions within scope of authority and acceptable time parameters.
• Evaluates past and present credit information and other related factors in order to make a quality loan decision.
• Identifies and understands debt restructuring and alternatives to lending with regard to the security and best interests of the credit union as well as the member.
• Recognizes opportunities and suggests the cross selling of credit union products and services to members.
• Reviews loan documentation, verification of income, collateral appraisals and other documents as needed for loan underwriting, verifies approval loan notes prior to signing.
• Conducts training for the Underwriting team.
• Responsible for compliance with all Federal regulations, including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Care expenses
• Employee and Dependent Life Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 100% match on the first 5% contributed by you
• Paid Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement and Competitive Scholarships
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree