Sr. Indirect Consumer Underwriter

TDECU•Post Oak, MO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Indirect Consumer Loan Underwriter evaluates and makes consumer credit decisions within granted lending authority, following Credit Union policies, procedures, lending guidelines, and regulatory requirements. The position primarily supports Indirect Lending, specializing in auto and specialty lending products such as automobiles, boats, motorcycles, RVs, and other eligible collateralized loans, and provides support to Direct Consumer Lending as business needs require. The role reviews complex applications, applies advanced credit judgment, and communicates decisions and requirements to dealer partners and internal stakeholders. As an Indirect Consumer Lending subject matter expert, the position provides guidance on complex scenarios and escalations, trains and mentors underwriters, and supports consistent underwriting practices. It also contributes to process improvements, special projects, cross-functional initiatives, and team development to improve operational efficiency, underwriting quality, and lending performance. This position has a dynamic hybrid work arrangement requiring three days of on-site work at the Post Oak, Galleria, Texas office. The work environment is usually moderately noisy. Employees frequently stand, walk, and sit; close and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus are required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least five 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.
Ability to exercise sound credit judgment and make independent decisions within assigned lending authority, including on complex credit scenarios, policy exceptions, and elevated lending limits.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate complex loan requests, identify risks, and recommend lending solutions.
Ability to identify process gaps, recommend improvements, and support initiatives that improve underwriting efficiency, decision quality, and service-level performance.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for conveying credit decisions, lending requirements, and policy interpretations to management, team members, dealer partners, and other stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with professionalism, empathy, courtesy, and tact when interacting with internal and external business partners.
Ability to manage difficult conversations, dealer escalations, and complex lending scenarios professionally and with a solution-oriented approach.
Ability to serve as a subject matter expert and provide technical guidance, coaching, mentoring, and training to new and existing underwriters.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including prioritizing competing demands and consistently meeting productivity, quality, and service-level expectations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in support of departmental and organizational objectives.
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 comply with information security standards, internal controls, and organizational policies and procedures.
Proficiency in consumer loan origination systems, automated decisioning platforms, and related lending technologies.
Ability to adapt to changes in lending policies, regulatory requirements, technology, and operational priorities while maintaining consistent underwriting performance.
Ability to meet the position’s physical requirements, including frequently standing, walking, and sitting, and using close and distance vision and adjusting focus.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience with MeridianLink Consumer Loan Origination System (CLOS), CUDL, Dealertrack, AppOne, IMM, DocuSign, and Fiserv DNA preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, analyze, and underwrite consumer loan applications primarily received through the Indirect Lending channel, including Auto and Specialty Lending products, and provide Direct Consumer Lending support as business needs require.
Exercise independent lending authority and sound credit judgment when evaluating creditworthiness, income, collateral, and overall risk exposure in compliance with Credit Union policies, lending guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
Review and decide complex credit applications, using elevated lending limits and designated exception authority while balancing credit risk, member needs, and organizational lending objectives.
Communicate approvals, denials, counteroffers, and stipulations clearly to dealer partners, internal lending teams, and other appropriate stakeholders; provide clarification on underwriting decisions as needed.
Serve as an Indirect Consumer Lending subject matter expert by providing technical guidance, coaching, mentoring, onboarding, and training to underwriters.
Identify and recommend improvements to underwriting processes, workflows, policies, and procedures to improve efficiency, turnaround times, and the member and dealer experience.
Build working relationships with internal departments, dealer relationship teams, and business partners to promote collaboration, resolve escalations, and support consistent lending practices.
Identify opportunities for additional lending products and services when reviewing applications and funded Indirect loan packages.
Collaborate with Loan Processing and Funding teams to ensure loan packages meet underwriting requirements, documentation standards, and service-level expectations; assist with complex scenarios and funding escalations.
Maintain productivity, quality, and service-level expectations while supporting workload management and underwriting coverage as operational needs require.
Participate in special projects, cross-functional initiatives, process enhancements, and interim assignments, providing subject matter expertise, training, and operational support.