Lakeysha Hightower
Maywood,IL
Summary
I dedicated and results-oriented Director of Mortgage Underwriting with ten years of experience leading high-performing teams. Proven track record in developing and implementing effective underwriting strategies, policies, and procedures to minimize risks and maximize profitability. Adept at leveraging advanced analytics and data-driven insights to enhance risk assessment accuracy and streamline underwriting processes. Skilled in managing complex mortgage portfolios, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and company guidelines. Strong communicator and team leader committed to fostering a collaborative and efficient underwriting environment. Seeking a challenging Director of Mortgage Underwriting position to apply my expertise in driving operational excellence, ensuring compliance, and optimizing underwriting operations for long-term success.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Credit
Constructive Loans / Fay Servicing
06.2022 - Current
- Capitalize on Commercial Lending to enhance the company objective to maximize our Fix & Flip, DSCR program, and Portfolio Loans.
- Led and managed a dynamic team of mortgage underwriters, overseeing all aspects of the underwriting process, from loan origination to approval and closing.
- Developed and implemented underwriting policies, guidelines, and procedures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with industry regulations, reducing underwriting errors.
- Collaborated closely with senior management to set underwriting strategies aligned with the company's financial goals, risk tolerance, and growth objectives.
- Utilized advanced analytics and predictive modeling to enhance risk assessment and pricing accuracy, decreasing underwriting losses and improving profitability.
- Implemented process improvements and technology solutions to streamline underwriting workflows, reduce turnaround times, and enhance the overall customer experience.
- Stayed current with evolving mortgage lending laws and regulations, ensuring the underwriting team's strict adherence to compliance standards.
- Conducted regular training and development programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of underwriters, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with mortgage brokers, loan officers, and key stakeholders, contributing to increased customer satisfaction, retention, and business growth.
- Collaborates with operations and sales management teams to ensure staff are knowledgeable on investor/agency underwriting guidelines changes and deliver quality salable loans to the secondary market
- Established credit quality oversight, managed investor inquiries, exception requests, and approvals; updated and published credit policies to support and meet secondary market requirements.
AVP, Regional Underwriting Manager (Remote Role)
Wintrust Mortgage
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Strategically build a cohesive team of Government Underwriters, and monitor efficient ways to improve th.e operation process, terms of procedures, systems use, quality improvements, and error reductions.
- Including expertise in operation sales, customer support, account management, mortgage lending, and the execution of long-term business objectives
- Equally gifted at utilizing leadership skills, operations management acumen, and ensuring Client satisfaction
- Continually drive the Underwriting Department to achieve goals and deliver quality-centric loan decisions
- As the assigned SR SAR for Wintrust, provide VA training to SR Underwriters to obtain their VA LAPP and SAR
- Work closely with the CRA Sales Manager to make sure the company is meeting credit requirements & regulations.
- Orchestrate the FNMA Homestyle & 203K Renovation program.
- Work closely with Senior Leadership to enhance Grant/Bond programs for low to moderate-income Borrowers.
- Escalations Reviews for declines
- Work with Department VP and Executives assisting with projects as required.
- Work in conjunction with the CRA Sales and Operation Departments in building a uniform best practice to be utilized in the division for all facets of the loan transaction.
- Promote a productive environment and work culture that values staff and rewards key performance.
- Ensure the In-House and Remote Underwriters are engaged daily by holding weekly meetings with the underwriting leaders to communicate product updates/announcements, credit policy additions/revisions, upcoming products, PFQA findings, and Government plus Renovation training.
VA Full Doc Underwriting Manager (Remote Role)
Freedom Mortgage Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Capitalize on the opportunity to train, mentor, and manage a top-performing team of 34 Remote Government Underwriters and 2 Team Leads, including leading weekly meetings and planning and prioritizing daily loan file assignments per pipeline for a 24-hour turnaround
- Communicate among Underwriters and Team Leads to discuss VA Circular updates/announcements, Credit Policy additions/revisions, and VA Deficiency findings
- Objectively deliver disciplinary actions to uphold a high-productivity workplace and align with underwriting standards
- Handle timecards, PTO, and/or payroll oversight
- Conduct semiannual/annual reviews and suggest annual pay increases
- Deliver 2nd Level Underwriting decisions for high-risk VA Purchase or Cash-Out loans
- Collaborate with the Executive Management Group regarding underwriting / operational strategies
- Continually drive the Underwriting team to achieve goals and deliver quality-centric loan decisions
- Promote a productive environment and work culture that values staff and rewards key performance.
Credit Risk Manager / Government Underwriter (Remote Role)
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Expertly managed underwriting of Conventional & Government mortgage loans to verify completeness, accuracy, and compliance
- Optimized use of resources to achieve goals by assigning loan files to underwriting teams
- Validated Government test cases for Underwriters’ VA and/or DE designation and Conventional signing authority
- Reviewed post-closing audits on purchase, refinance, and Jumbo loan files, reviewed complex loans requiring exceptions, and disseminated decisions (i.e., approval, suspension, denial) via both verbal and written communications within a 48-hour turnaround time
- Handle timecards, PTO, and/or payroll oversight
- Conduct semi-annual/annual reviews and suggest annual pay increases
- Served as the designated VA Liaison / Subject Matter Expert
- Supported the company’s Director with New Underwriting training
- Promptly analyzed and reported deficiencies, defects, and / or performance gaps.
AVP – Government Underwriting Group
BANK OF AMERICA
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Strategically steered government underwriting initiatives with management-level responsibilities, including expertise in Operation sales, customer support, account management, mortgage lending, and the execution of long-term business objectives
- Equally gifted at utilizing leadership skills, operations management acumen, and ensuring client satisfaction
- Fostered seamless operational processes by assisting departmental staff as necessary to achieve key goals
- Served as 2nd Reviewer on escalation process for VA, FHA, and USDA loans
- Recognized as the company’s VA Liaison / Subject Matter Expert
- Success in overseeing multiple processes/units simultaneously, overseeing personnel, controlling financial functions, and establishing policies as well as procedures to increase productivity
- Complete accurate/timely mortgage closing procedures, assessing needs, considering effective alternatives implementing procedures based on regulatory measures and sound judgment
- For Account Executives and Brokers to help produce better loan files.
Education
Business Management Studies -
COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER
Skills
- Risk Assessment
- Policy Development
- Team Leadership
- Data Analysis
- Compliance and Regulations
- Process Improvement
- Strategic Planning
- Customer Relationship Management
- Problem-Solving
- Communication
- Results-Oriented
- Creditworthiness Evaluations
- Property Evaluation
- Government Lending
Certification
- VA SR SAR/LAPP Designation
- FHA Designation
- USDA Designation
Timeline
Director of Credit
Constructive Loans / Fay Servicing
06.2022 - Current
AVP, Regional Underwriting Manager (Remote Role)
Wintrust Mortgage
01.2018 - 01.2022
VA Full Doc Underwriting Manager (Remote Role)
Freedom Mortgage Corporation
01.2016 - 01.2018
Credit Risk Manager / Government Underwriter (Remote Role)
NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE
01.2013 - 01.2016
AVP – Government Underwriting Group
BANK OF AMERICA
01.2012 - 01.2013
Business Management Studies -
COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER
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