Consumer Loan Underwriter

Who We Are

First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 15 locations including 11 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace and a Top Corporate Philanthropist. By popular vote, First Fed received awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers’ Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes.

For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We’ve donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years – many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year!

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds – our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team!

Our Values

Optimism: We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.

Initiative: We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.

Respect: We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.

Growth: We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.

Ownership: We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.

Position Purpose

The Consumer Underwriter is accountable for the underwriting, documentation, and closing of consumer loans in accordance with regulatory requirements, internal policy, and portfolio standards. This role supports sound credit decisions, operational efficiency, and a high-quality customer experience while serving as a resource to branch personnel on consumer lending programs and processes.

Essential Functions

• Underwrite and process consumer loans, ensuring complete documentation, regulatory compliance, and adherence to portfolio and wholesale guidelines.
• Review borrower credit, income, assets, collateral, pricing, and product eligibility to support sound credit decisions within assigned authority.
• Coordinate third-party reports and vendor activity, including title, flood, appraisal, and insurance requirements, to support timely loan closing.
• Prepare and review closing documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Maintain current knowledge of lending programs, underwriting standards, policies, procedures, and systems.
• Partner across departments and provide guidance to branch personnel to support service excellence and consistent loan quality.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in accounting, finance, real estate, or a related field preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Sound judgment in credit and collateral evaluation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• High degree of initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous learning.

Role Levels

• Junior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Provides underwriting support and analytical assistance to the Consumer Credit department with approval authority up to $50,000; typically requires two years of related experience or equivalent internal experience.
• Consumer Loan Underwriter – Independently underwrites, processes, and closes consumer and wholesale loans with approval authority up to $250,000; typically requires two years of underwriting experience.
• Senior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Serves as a senior underwriting resource, providing mentorship and advanced credit expertise with approval authority up to $500,000; typically requires five years of underwriting experience and is able to perform all the duties in the Consumer Credit Department.

Physical Requirements

This role requires the ability to operate standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person and remotely (telephone, video conference, written communication, etc.), and work in a combination of sitting and standing throughout the day. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Pay Range

• The pay range for this position is $22.67 - $38.55 per hour
• The typical hiring range for this position is $22.67 - $26.02 per hour
• The incentive plan for this position is the Partnership Incentive plan Tier 2. It is paid out quarterly with a 7.5% target payout.
• Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more! Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at https://www.ourfirstfed.com/careers

As a community Bank, we know the power in bringing people together from all walks of life. Our communities are beautiful and strong because of their diversity, and it’s important to us that all of our locations reflect the unique diversity of the places we live and work. We are passionate about hiring the very best talent and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran

First Fed invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for our career opportunities. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our online job search or application tools, please email Human Resources via teresa.yandl@ourfirstfed.com or call 360-460-2605. Note: This contact information is reserved solely for job seekers requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the application process. Messages left for other purposes may not receive a response.

We are required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.