Maria Garza
West Chicago,IL
Summary
Detail-oriented Underwriter with extensive experience in FHA loan underwriting and compliance. Streamlined loan processing through effective condition clearing and team mentoring, improving turnaround times. Expertise in document review and risk assessment, leveraging Salesforce to enhance operational efficiency and foster collaboration.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Loan Processor
OPPFI
Chicago, USA
03.2024 - Current
- Processed personal loans for underwriting approval via Salesforce, ensuring compliance with lending standards and enabling timely loan disbursements.
- Calculated GMI and validated through IBV report, enhancing accuracy of borrower assessments and supporting informed lending decisions.
- Evaluated documents for fraudulent activity, protecting loan integrity and reducing potential risk exposure.
Sr. Mortgage Underwriter
NRL Mtg.
Houston, USA
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Executed underwriting and finalized clear to close for FHA, VA, USDA, and CONV mortgage loans using Encompass, ensuring compliance and facilitating timely loan closings.
- Resolved kickbacks from Quality Control and Investors, maintaining compliance and streamlining loan processing.
- Coordinated files, emails, and phone calls to achieve timely mortgage underwriting turnaround.
Sr. Mtg. U/W
MortgageRight
Birmingham, USA
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Executed underwriting, condition clearing, and closure processes for FHA, VA, USDA, and CONV mortgage loans using Encompass, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and facilitating timely loan approvals.
- Resolved kickbacks from Quality Control and Investors, maintaining quality standards and supporting loan integrity through effective communication and follow-up.
- Streamlined responses and processing for mortgage files, emails, and phone calls, improving workflow efficiency and reducing turnaround time.
Branch Manager
Advance America
Romeoville, USA
03.2019 - 09.2019
- Managed resources and staff to achieve sales goals, enhance customer service, and increase location revenues through strategic implementation.
- Led marketing initiatives and collection efforts, collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to enhance engagement and outreach.
- Processed NSF transactions and managed daily deposits, ensuring accuracy in financial operations.
- Balanced cash drawers daily to ensure financial accuracy and accountability. to maintain financial integrity and accountability. and daily sales.
- Complied with BSA regulations by issuing SAR and CTR reports.
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
Home Point Financial formerly Stonegate Mortgage
03.2016 - 09.2018
- Underwrote FHA loans, including FHA HUD REO with and without repair escrow, ensuring compliance with regulations.
- Guided clients through FHA 'Back to Work' process, resulting in successful transitions back to homeownership.
- Streamlined loan processes, improving efficiency and decreasing turnaround times.
- Trained loan coordinators on best practices to improve underwriting accuracy and service quality.
- Resolved post-closing items, ensuring compliance and accelerating funding timelines.
- Maintained daily correspondence with brokers and account executives to ensure timely updates.
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
1st Centennial Mortgage
Aurora, IL
04.2015 - 10.2015
- Executed underwriting, condition clearing, and closure processes for FHA, VA, USDA, and CONV mortgage loans using Encompass, ensuring regulatory compliance and facilitating timely loan closures.
- Evaluated mortgage applications to ensure compliance with company guidelines.
- Reviewed property appraisals to ensure valuation accuracy and adherence to compliance standards, facilitating informed lending decisions.
- Calculated debt-to-income ratios to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Analyzed borrower credit histories and financial documents for risk assessment.
- Collaborated with loan officers to collect and verify documentation for underwriting, improving accuracy and streamlining the overall process.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of mortgage regulations and industry trends to inform decision-making and support compliance.
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
Stearns Lending LLC
Oakbrook, IL
10.2012 - 04.2015
- Executed underwriting and condition clearing for FHA, VA, USDA, and CONV mortgage loans using Encompass, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and facilitating timely loan closures.
- Analyzed borrower credit histories and financial documents to assess risk, determining loan eligibility and influencing credit decisions.
- Reviewed property appraisals to verify valuation accuracy and adherence to compliance standards, enabling informed lending decisions.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of mortgage regulations and industry trends.
Underwriter 3
Wells Fargo
Lombard, IL
03.2008 - 10.2012
- Executed underwriting and condition clearing for FHA, VA, USDA, and CONV mortgage loans using Encompass to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and drive timely loan closures.
- Analyzed credit and financial information to support informed underwriting decisions, enhancing risk assessment accuracy.
- Reviewed property appraisals for compliance with lending standards, supporting sound lending practices.
Education
High School Diploma -
St. Francis Academy
Joliet, IL05-1989
Skills
- Loan documentation
- Regulatory guidelines
- Risk assessment
- Financial analysis
- Loan processing software
- Customer relationship management
Certification
FHA DE
Timeline
Loan Processor
OPPFI
03.2024 - Current
Sr. Mortgage Underwriter
NRL Mtg.
03.2021 - 06.2022
Sr. Mtg. U/W
MortgageRight
09.2019 - 03.2021
Branch Manager
Advance America
03.2019 - 09.2019
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
Home Point Financial formerly Stonegate Mortgage
03.2016 - 09.2018
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
1st Centennial Mortgage
04.2015 - 10.2015
Sr. Remote Mortgage Underwriter
Stearns Lending LLC
10.2012 - 04.2015
Underwriter 3
Wells Fargo
03.2008 - 10.2012
High School Diploma -
St. Francis Academy