Mortgage Broker Underwriter

Description

About this opportunity

At Meridian our aspiration is to integrate our purpose into everything we do for people, the planet, and communities. We believe that our greatest opportunity is to create opportunity and meet people where they are.  

Mortgage Broker Services is part of Meridian’s Credit Risk Management function.  We are accountable for providing prompt adjudication for all Retail Lending at Meridian.

As a Mortgage Broker Underwriter your responsibility is to provide exceptional service in adjudication within our Broker channel, however, can also support adjudication through alternate retail Lending channels (Branch, MMS, motus, Credit Card) from time to time through prompt analysis, approval and/or direction for all credit applications. You will further support the achievement of the Retail Credit goals while adhering to established Meridian policies and guidelines and within assigned lending authority.

Full understanding of Underwriting and adjudication will be required. Ability to work independently and in a Team environment in fast paced environment with the ability to make quick decisions that mitigate risk adhering to all Meridian and regulatory policies. The ability to read and understand Business Financials, Business for Self, including incorporated for the purposes of underwriting and adjudication. Excellent communication skills both verbally and written is required with internal and external partners.

What you’ll do:

• Exercise sound and consistent broker and retail underwriting practices, including utilization of the Risk Based Lending principles through a creative and proactive approach to credit granting.
• Advise Meridian staff and the Broker network in the interpretation of Retail Credit policies and structure of applications
• Help identify Retail Credit policy gaps and process deficiencies and recommend changes for improvement
• Remain informed of changes to lending practices within the marketplace and of changes to the lending practices of our private and government High Ratio Insurers, and ensure that these changes are documented for all staff (broker and retail) on an ongoing basis
• Assist, through training and underwriting, in ensuring Meridian’s retail and broker credit portfolio remains sound and compliant with all regulatory requirements
• Support all Retail Credit channels as assigned, including the Broker, Branch and MMS networks along with Credit Cards and motus

Problem Solving

• Approve or decline applications within assigned lending authority, ensuring adherence with all relevant legislation, regulations and Meridian Retail Credit Management policy
• Maintain quality broker and Delivery relationships, engaging in issue resolution to find appropriate solutions for both Members and Meridian.
• Manage fluctuating work volumes to effectively meet short timelines while maintaining a high level of credit quality including flexibility and adaptability to move between all channels of Retail Credit as volumes dictate
• Provide feedback on efficiencies pulling from your experience in the department

Communication

• Strong negotiation skills to ensure quality credit application decisions
• Excellent organizational and communication (written and oral) skills, with demonstrated leadership qualities necessary to draft and deliver training material effectively in the growth of employees
• Communicating in a professional, clear, and tactful way when presenting application recommendations/decisions or providing alternatives to mortgage brokers, internal branch staff and higher levels of authority.
• Extensive communication skills, both written and verbal with mortgage brokers, solicitors, mortgage insurers, Meridian mobile mortgage specialists, branch staff and Credit Management managers. 

What you can bring to Meridian:

• Minimum of two years’ experience in Retail Credit underwriting in a financial services environment
• Advanced credit investigation and underwriting skills, including a deep knowledge of business financials
• In depth knowledge of Meridian Retail Credit and/or our high ratio insurer partners underwriting guidelines.
• Ability to work with minimal or no supervision, within established authorities.
• Sound judgement and decision-making ability
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, readily changing environment.
• Computer literate in a windows environment, including ability to utilize multiple underwriting platforms including Filogix
• Knowledge and interpretation of regulatory and legislative requirements for lending
• In depth knowledge and understanding of Risk Based lending principles
• Ability to employ good tact, judgment, and objectivity
• Ability to work collaboratively with all partners in meeting or exceeding the needs of our members
• Flexibility to work varied hours to meet the needs of the business

Office Location:   3330 Bloor Street West, Toronto   OR   75 Corporate Park Drive, St. Catharines.  This is a hybrid work opportunity.

Meridian has a remote work policy that allows flexibility for employees to work remotely but also requires a minimum of semi-monthly regular time in the office for purposeful meetings to collaborate, innovate and build effective relationships with your team, your colleagues and your leader which is important to us.

What's in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages teamwork, creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to delight your candidates and clients
• You will get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders and colleagues, who have hailed from top organizations.
• Hybrid work arrangements with in-person office time to collaborate, innovate and build relationships with your colleagues.
• This is not your typical "corporate" job. We work hard and we have fun

Who we are:

Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, and second largest in Canada, helping to grow the lives of our more than 380,000 Members. Meridian has more than 80 years of banking history and is 100% owned by its members. With 87 retail branches and 15 Business Banking Centers across Ontario and $ 32B in assets under management, Meridian offers a full range of financial products and services to its retail, business banking and wealth members. With over 2200 employees and corporate offices located in Toronto and St. Catharines, Meridian has a track record of creating and delivering innovative new offerings and is committed to investing in the communities that we serve.  Our plan is to build on our momentum as we deliver on our purpose - helping our members achieve their best life. 

Find our story here: