Underwriter- Chattel loans

Position Summary:

The Underwriter – Chattel Loans is responsible for evaluating, analyzing, and approving credit applications for chattel-secured financing, including manufactured homes, mobile homes, and other personal property assets. This role ensures compliance with company policies, investor guidelines, and regulatory standards while maintaining sound credit risk management and supporting business growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and analyze loan applications, credit reports, income documentation, appraisals, and collateral information for chattel-secured loans.
• Assess borrower creditworthiness, repayment capacity, and collateral valuation to determine loan eligibility and appropriate terms.
• Ensure compliance with internal underwriting standards, federal and state lending regulations, and secondary market or investor requirements.
• Collaborate with sales, processing, and funding teams to ensure accurate and timely loan decisions.
• Communicate underwriting decisions clearly to internal and external stakeholders, providing rationale and recommendations when conditions or exceptions apply.
• Maintain a consistent turnaround time for loan reviews while managing pipeline priorities effectively.
• Identify potential fraud, misrepresentation, or documentation discrepancies and take appropriate actions to mitigate risk.
• Stay current on industry trends, regulatory changes, and chattel loan program updates.
• Support ongoing process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of underwriting experience in chattel loans, manufactured housing, or consumer secured lending.
• Strong understanding of credit risk principles, lending regulations (ECOA, FCRA, TILA, etc.), and collateral valuation methods.
• Experience with loan origination systems (LOS) and automated underwriting tools preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Analytical thinker with strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Ability to interpret complex financial and credit data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Team-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with manufactured housing loan products or related consumer asset financing.
• Familiarity with Dodd-Frank and CFPB compliance requirements for consumer lending.
• Prior experience working with dealer or retailer channels