Senior LCE Underwriter

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.