Mortgage Underwriter Lead

Introduction

Since 1973, East West Bank has served as a pathway to success. With multiple locations across the U.S. and China, we are the premier financial bridge between the East and West. Our teams of experienced, multi-cultural professionals help guide businesses and community members on both sides of the Pacific looking to explore new markets and create new opportunities, and our sustained growth and expertise in industries like real estate, entertainment and media, private equity and venture capital, and high-tech help build sustainable businesses and expand our associates’ potential for career advancement.

Headquartered in California, East West Bank (Nasdaq: EWBC) is a top performing commercial bank with an exclusive focus on the U.S. and China markets. With a strong foundation, and enterprising spirit and a commitment to absolute integrity, East West Bank gives people the confidence to reach further.

Overview

The Team Lead Underwriter will play a critical role in supporting the daily operations of the mortgage underwriting team. This position requires strong analytical and decision-making capabilities to assess credit risk and make sound underwriting decisions. The successful candidate will provide clear guidance to team members, effectively resolve conflicts, and communicate underwriting decisions and loan stipulations with clarity and precision to sales teams, processing staff, borrowers, and management.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the ability to perform all core responsibilities of an Underwriter with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Provide well-reasoned recommendations and solutions to Loan Processors, Loan Officers, and team members to support efficient loan progression.
• Conduct second-level reviews to determine whether additional documentation is required to support credit decisions or to identify alternative solutions.
• Stay current with regulatory requirements, investor guidelines, and industry trends that impact underwriting decisions and compliance.
• Ensure data integrity by verifying that system inputs are accurate and aligned with Automated Underwriting System (AUS) findings, as applicable.
• Leverage subject matter expertise to address inquiries and resolve complex or escalated issues from team members and cross-functional partners.
• Monitor daily team production and pipeline reports, ensuring priorities are aligned and rush requests are addressed promptly.
• Review and approve counteroffers submitted by team members to ensure accuracy and adherence to guidelines.
• Review and dispute Quality Control (QC) findings on behalf of team members, as appropriate.
• Manage loan assignment workflows, including reassigning files when team members are unavailable.
• Perform loan-level reviews and provide final sign-off in accordance with company standards.
• Oversee team scheduling, including reviewing and approving vacation requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and guidance across all products and loan types, including state-specific requirements, outreach programs, FNMA, Jumbo, and business entity loans.
• Support and provide guidance to the Appraisal Review team as needed.
• Lead or participate in the rollout of new products, loan types, and special projects, and perform additional duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications

• At least 8+ years of experience in progressive mortgage underwriting experience, with at least 2–3 years in a senior or lead capacity a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combination of education and extensive underwriting experience may be considered.
• Prior experience using internal data entry systems, loan origination systems, Microsoft Office, and PDF/Document Retention programs.  Experience working within Encompass preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of required documentation for consumer mortgage applications, including tax returns, financial statements, income verification, and asset documentation.
• Comprehensive understanding of underwriting guidelines and regulatory requirements, including federal, state, and investor-specific standards, as well as internal policies and controls.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex information, evaluate risk, and determine the downstream impact of underwriting decisions.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, maintaining a strong sense of urgency and responsiveness.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex concepts to diverse audiences, including cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

East West Bank is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the United States. We do not offer visa sponsorship at this time.  

Compensation

The base pay range for this position is USD $20.00/Hr. - USD $50.00/Hr. Exact offers will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location.