Job Category: Credit ServicesJob Description:We are currently seeking a Senior LCE Underwriter to join our team.The Lending Centre of Excellence (LCE) Senior Underwriter supports the adjudication of the retail credit portfolio in a timely and accurate manner providing while delivering exceptional customer service to branch and broker partners. Under general direction, the role underwrites and approves or declines mortgage applications submitted through broker and branch channels in accordance with First West's Credit policies, guidelines, and assigned lending limits. The Senior Underwriter communicates lending decisions clearly, providing solutions to challenging and complex credit, applications, working closely with brokers and branch advisors to resolve underwriting issues and strengthen relationships. This role evolves with changing industry and organizational demands and requires the ability to adapt to dynamic business needs. Underwriting decisions play a critical role in supporting mortgage growth and sound lending practices and directly influence member experience, funding timelines, and portfolio quality.Accountabilities * Underwriting: Adjudicates retail credit applications in accordance with First West policies, procedures, and guidelines. Approves or declines credit within assigned lending limits and provides recommendations to LCE management for applications exceeding those limits. Underwrites complex applications, including construction, total wealth, and alternative lending, which require a higher level of judgment than standard lending.
Elevated Complexity: Provides senior-level underwriting expertise, particularly in the Alternative (ALT) lending space, which requires a high degree of discretion and judgment. This includes evaluating non-traditional income sources, assessing layered borrower profiles, navigating policy exceptions and overlays, and ensuring compliance with credit quality standards. ALT applications often involve self-employed borrowers, unconventional down payments, and nuanced risk layering, and require a more sophisticated level of adjudication than standard lending scenarios.
Broker/Branch Relations: Maintains and strengthens relationships with brokers and branch partners.
Effectively communicates First West's Credit policies and guidelines. * Risk Management: Maintains compliance and risk management requirements by achieving audit scores greater than 85%. Demonstrates a strong understanding of First West's Credit policies and guidelines by staying up to date on internal changes as well as regulatory changes from BCFSA, OSFI, and FCAC. Identifies and addresses fraud risk in mortgage applications, including escalating concerns related to suspected misrepresentation in accordance with policy and regulatory requirements.
Service Delivery: Provides timely, accurate, and high-quality underwriting services and solutions that support positive member experiences across branch and broker channels.
Process Excellence: Works independently under the guidance of LCE Management and acts as the primary contact for brokers and branches in their absences. Analyzes and resolves complex issues referred by branch and broker partners. Approves loans in excess of underwriter's lending limits. Seeks opportunities to optimize and improve the workflow and processes of the LCE responsibilities and provides recommendations to LCE Management.
Stakeholder Management: Delivers exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders by determining their needs and responding to inquiries in a timely, efficient, and courteous manner.
Additional Duties: Performs other duties related to the overall operation of the Credit Operations department, as required.Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
College Trade or Tech School Diploma (2 years) required in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bachelor's Degree preferred
Minimum 2 years' experience in a mortgage underwriting role required
Minimum 3 years' experience in Retail Credit required
Financial Advisory experience preferred
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Advisors, management levels, Shared Service teams and brokers
Ability to apply independent judgment and intuitive thinking
Commitment to continuous learning and self-development
Strong organizational and time-management skills in a self-directed environment
Ability to make decisions under pressure
Proven ability to perform effectively in a dynamic, high-volume, and fast-paced environment
Demonstrated understanding of First West's Lending guidelines and procedures
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and financial institution-specific systems
Displays an understanding of risk and risk ownership by being able to demonstrate adherence to policies and procedures.
About Us:What's in it for you:First, we strive to make our team members feel genuinely rewarded. You'll have:
Mental health coverage and resources
Customizable health benefits, as well as topped-up parental leave
Performance-based compensation, employee banking advantages and group RRSP matching
Vacation time and flexible work arrangements to support your lifestyle
We are committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive rewards package that reflects the value an individual brings to our organization. The compensation mentioned in this job posting should serve as a guide. The total cash compensation earned may vary based on a variety of factors including bonuses and/or incentives, an individual's skills and experience, and may correlate with performance in the role.We also provide and encourage opportunities for our employees to make a meaningful impact. After all, as a credit union we're powered by giving back-in big ways and through small gestures. That's why we offer employees paid time off to volunteer, partner with thousands of local charities, build long-lasting relationships that help our members get ahead and commit to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.By joining our team, you'll be able to elevate your potential. Wherever your own purpose leads, we're here to support you with award-winning in-house training programs, access to LinkedIn Learning, and reimbursement for external courses to help you get ahead.Take the next step in your career as part of our team. Apply for this opportunity!Candidates, please note: if you are being considered for this role, you will be required to complete a background check, such as employment verification, credit check and criminal record check.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & BelongingAt First West Credit Union, we embrace diversity regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, age, diverse ability, and any aspect that makes someone unique. Inclusion is woven through our organization, from our employee-led network groups, hiring practices and education programs that address barriers and continually grow our equitable, diverse and inclusive culture.We encourage people who are from equity-deserving groups to apply for a career with us, including women or non-binary people, persons with diverse abilities, Black, Indigenous Peoples, People of Colour and members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.If an accommodation would help you during the process of applying or interviewing for a career with us, please let us know how we can assist you, whether it's preparing materials in an alternate format, booking an accessible meeting room or other arrangement.Your individuality is welcome here.About UsWe're a financial cooperative that does things differently. We provide time-tested advice that helps our members feel optimistic about their future, and we offer comprehensive banking solutions that enable people to confidently reach their goals. With the financial strength and extended branch network of a large financial institution, we maintain local connections to our communities and take a unique grassroots approach to service. Our more than 250,000 members and approximately 1,250 employees operate from 45 branches throughout the province of BC, under the Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings and Enderby & District Financial brands. Visit firstwestcu.ca for more information on First West Credit Union.Please know we appreciate your interest in us but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
