Leslie Haynes
Surprise
Summary
Highly analytical and results-driven professional with substantial experience in loan underwriting, coaching, risk management, escalation management, and team leadership. Proven success in deployment of robust policies, processes, and procedures while ensuring utmost compliance with quality standards. Demonstrated history of executing successful strategies to achieve collective results as a true team leader. Excel at building and nurturing relations with professional stakeholders at all levels. Exceptionally experienced in risk management, identifying opportunities, and proposing excellent solutions. Articulate and refined communicator with a strong capability to lead multiple teams across mortgage fulfillment divisions.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Digital Risk Mortgage Services
Surprise, AZ
01.2025 - Current
- Evaluated mortgage applications to ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations.
- Analyzed borrower credit histories to determine risk levels and loan eligibility.
- Provided training and mentorship to junior underwriters on best practices and underwriting standards.
- Collaborated with loan officers to resolve complex underwriting issues and improve turnaround times.
- Developed streamlined processes for document review, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in decision-making.
- Implemented quality control measures to minimize errors in loan files and promote consistency across the team.
- Led initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction by improving response times on underwriting decisions.
- Monitored industry trends and regulatory changes to adapt underwriting practices accordingly.
- Determined credit risks by reviewing files in advance and comparing data against internal checklists and guidelines.
- Verified integrity of applicants' information to minimize fraud.
- Worked with processing team members to communicate errors and obtain missing information for current applications.
- Maintained mortgage program compliance with federal agencies such as VA, HUD, and FNMA.
- Made careful determinations based on skilled analyses of submitted documentation covering credit histories, employment records, and current financial status.
- Effectively communicated underwriting decisions to relevant parties, providing clear explanations for any required conditions or stipulations.
- Increased team productivity by mentoring junior underwriters, sharing industry knowledge, and providing constructive feedback on their work.
- Ensured compliance with federal regulations and company policies through diligent examination of mortgage documentation.
- Mitigated risks associated with loan approvals, conducting thorough due diligence on borrower profiles and property valuations.
- Trained junior team members in underwriting procedures and loan quality grading standards.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of mortgage applications, consistently meeting strict deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Assisted management with special projects as assigned, demonstrating adaptability and commitment to organizational success.
- Played a key role in reducing delinquencies by recommending appropriate modifications or workout plans for borrowers experiencing financial hardship.
- Reviewed team underwriting decisions to identify incorrect actions and reverse previous decisions when merited.
- Developed strong relationships with clients, realtors, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth communication throughout the mortgage process.
- Balanced competing priorities and managed a high volume of work, consistently meeting or exceeding performance metrics for approval rate, turnaround time, and loan quality.
- Evaluated performance of less experienced underwriters and helped improve overall work quality by implementing improvement plans.
- Collaborated with multiple departments for seamless loan approval process, ensuring all necessary information was accurately documented and communicated.
- Contributed to the development of departmental guidelines and procedures by actively participating in meetings and sharing expertise as needed.
- Enhanced loan quality by meticulously reviewing and analyzing complex financial documents, credit reports, and appraisals.
- Reduced loan processing time by implementing efficient underwriting practices and effectively collaborating with loan officers.
- Continuously updated industry knowledge through professional training sessions, seminars, conferences, and self-directed learning efforts.
- Checked personal and team calculations to validate information and underwriting decisions.
- Fostered a positive team environment by maintaining open lines of communication and supporting colleagues in their professional development.
ERC Processor
Recruitful – Innovation refunds
Phoenix, AZ
01.2023 - 09.2023
- Processed ERC applications for customers by reviewing essential documentation of 941’s, bank statements, and payroll. Communicated with customers every day to obtain documents and supply application status.
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Fairway Independent Mortgage Company
Phoenix, AZ
03.2021 - 05.2022
- Perform credit analysis for newly originated 1-4 family residential loans. Review and analyze all areas of the mortgage loan application to ensure accuracy and completeness in compliance with internal and regulatory guidelines. (Includes Conventional, High Balance, Bond, FHA and VA loan types)
- Analyze supporting income, assets and liability documentation to support decision.
- Calculate income from pay-stubs, W-2’s, personal/business tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets and supplemental income.
- Verify assets for funds to close and reserves.
- Analyze credit reports, bank statements, title reports, and appraisal reports.
- Investigate and perform independent research when necessary.
- Sign off on loan conditions and complete all underwriting screens in system.
Senior Mortgage Underwriter IV and Team Lead
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Tempe, AZ
01.2010 - 03.2021
- Managed 10 – 15 underwriters in the mortgage underwriting department. Responsible for monthly one – on-ones, pipeline management, scheduling, and coaching and development. Provided support to team with personal development and growth opportunities. Conducted weekly team meetings to review monthly goals and conduct refresher training.
- Administer overall loan underwriting and lending operations in compliance with set policies and procedures.
- Provide end-to-end assistance to underwriters during decision-making and champion change to avoid irregularities. Coordinate with Private Mortgage Banking Wealth Management, retail sales and processing teams while assisting and escalating loan decisions and filing issues. Ensure prompt completion of underwriting transactions as specified under service level agreements.
- Via efficiently supervising new/existing lending managers and underwriters. Analyze and sign off on credit and collateral/appraisal conditions for Conventional, Home Equity Lines/Loans, High Balance, Bond, FHA and VA escalated loans.
- Credited for enhancing underwriter’s levels of authority while ensuring best production level and prompt turnaround.
- Attained a significant increase in customer loyalty scores via leveraging industry best practices and resources while aiding customers on a regular basis.
- Analyzed and evaluated performance, identified areas of improvement, and supplied feedback during monthly one-on- one’s and bi-annual performance reviews.
- Leveraged in-depth knowledge and working understanding of pipeline management and all mortgage regulations such as Reg B and Reg Z while performing day-to-day operations.
- Analyze supporting income, assets and liability documentation to support decision for escalations. Calculate income from pay-stubs, W-2’s, personal/business tax returns, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and supplemental income. Verify assets for funds to close and reserves.
- Analyze credit reports, bank statements, title reports and appraisal reports.
- Investigate and perform independent research when necessary.
- Sign off on loan conditions for escalated loans.
Education
BA - Business
Glendale Community College
Glendale, CASkills
- Training & Development
- Interpersonal Communication
- Continuous Process Improvement
- Team Building & Leadership
- Quality Assurance
- Loan Management
- Risk Identification & Mitigation
- Customer Service
- Reporting & Documentation
Certification
- VA SAR/LAPP ID
- FHA CHUMS ID
- Notary
Timeline
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Digital Risk Mortgage Services
01.2025 - Current
ERC Processor
Recruitful – Innovation refunds
01.2023 - 09.2023
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Fairway Independent Mortgage Company
03.2021 - 05.2022
Senior Mortgage Underwriter IV and Team Lead
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
01.2010 - 03.2021
BA - Business
Glendale Community College