Bilingual Underwriter Associate

Monday, January 20, 2025

WHO WE ARE

HomeEquity Bank is a Schedule 1 Canadian chartered bank and the leading national provider of reverse mortgages, with a growing portfolio. As the only bank solely dedicated to serving homeowners 55 and up, we're passionate about helping Canadian homeowners live retirement on their terms. We live that commitment every day, with a range of reverse mortgage solutions that include our flagship CHIP Reverse Mortgage product.

OUR VALUES, OUR PASSION

At HomeEquity Bank, our values drive and inspire our actions with our customers, our partners, and each other.

• Courage to Act. Do the Right Thing
• One Team. One Vision
• Think Long-Term. Ever-Evolving

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director Credit, the Bilingual Underwriter Associate position will play a pivotal role in supporting the Broker underwriting team, managing a diverse range of daily activities with autonomy, technical expertise, and a solid understanding of our products.

The Bilingual Underwriter Associate position is responsible for the process and review of documentation for mortgage applications for Underwriter review as part of the adjudication process. This role will liaise directly with their partner Underwriter, Sales Team, Brokers, and MLOs to satisfy document-related conditions pre and post adjudication to be file ready for fulfillment and funding. Additionally, the role includes management of the appraisal process (order, follow-up, system upload), support coordination of ILA information, and appointment in the system for the advancement of files through the fulfillment and funding process.

This position also plays a leading role in the risk management of the business as it relates to ensuring all required documents are valid and accurate with full adherence to the Bank's policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills and attention to detail, as well as strong oral and written communication skills to discuss document requirements with Brokers and internal sales and operations partners.

The ideal candidate is results-oriented and has strong organizational skills to meet deadlines. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of the residential real estate market, real estate market trends, and industry lending practices.

MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE ROLE:

This individual will partner with an Underwriting partner, Sales Agents, and Brokers to act as a resource to ensure document collection is completed satisfactorily for both HEB and our external partners. The Bilingual Underwriter Associate will have a key role in ensuring that Brokers and Sales Agents are aware of specific file requirements to ensure files move through to funding in a timely manner.

The role will coordinate with various internal clients and partners (Underwriter, Sales Agents) and external partners (Brokers):

• to ensure a client-focused experience - a mortgage structured to meet the client's and broker needs, funded on the client's requested timeline, and
• to ensure documentation is satisfactory and adheres to the Policy and Credit Guidelines requirements.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Key responsibilities of this role include following up on appraisals, reviewing appraisals, and gathering the appropriate documentation from the brokers. There will be a focus on the collection, review, and accuracy of documentation required to ensure all applicable laws, regulations, Credit Guidelines, and internal policies have been respected:

• Policy Management:
  Receive, review, and process relevant documents, and ensure review meets Quality compliance standards
• Order and receive appraisals.
• Follow up with brokers to obtain required documentation.
• Follow up with brokers to obtain ILA information.
• Follow up with brokers to ensure the ILA appointment is booked and entered in the system.
• Communication:
  Maintain effective communication with underwriters, Brokers, MLOs, and team members.
• Additional Duties:
  Perform other tasks as directed by management.
• Professional Development:
  Pursue educational and technical studies necessary for career advancement.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• University Degree or Community College Diploma
• 1-2 years of related experience
• Basic understanding of the current financial services environment.
• Good communication and conflict management skills.
• Thrives on variety and continuous improvement.
• Well organized and comfortable working independently as well as a contributing member of a collaborative team.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities.
• Proactive approach and sense of urgency to get things done.
• Creative problem-solving skills with the ability to get results.
• Some proficiency in Microsoft Office with the ability to learn new programs and/or platforms quickly.
• Excellent customer service skills with a drive to build strong relationships.
• Bilingual skills (English and French)

WORKING CONDITIONS UNIQUE TO ROLE

• Hybrid working environment

WHY WORK AT HOMEEQUITY BANK?

HomeEquity Bank offers a hybrid working environment supported by a culture of flexibility - an approach that is unique to each person, enabling both business and individual needs to be met in a mutually beneficial way.

We pride ourselves on recognizing and celebrating performance, community service, teamwork, and diversity among our employees.

A Dynamic Culture - With People at the Centre

We believe our people make all the difference; our tireless commitment to inclusivity, professional development, and employee experience has been recognized through awards including Greater Toronto's Top Employers 2024, Waterstone Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures 2022-2023, the Globe and Mail's Report on Business:
Canada's Top Growing Companies 2022 (third year since 2019), Canadian's Mortgage Professional (CMP) Top Mortgage Employer 2023 for the third year in a row, and Achievers Top 50 Most Engaged Workplaces 2023.

Growth and Opportunities

We provide challenging and rewarding careers in a wide variety of fields. We continuously develop and train our employees through professional growth opportunities and on-the-job training. We also encourage our employees to develop professionally and personally through a series of career developing programs including our Educational Assistance Program, designed to reimburse costs related to professional learning and development.

Celebrating Great Work and People

We believe in an environment that celebrates success, knowledge, leadership, and work that is inspired by our core values. For these reasons, we have created several programs that make it easy for our employees to say 'great job' to their colleagues and leaders.

From our Appreciate! Program to the High Five Award Program and President's Award Program, we recognize professional achievement with a vari.