Roberta Lea Martinez
Castaic,CA
Summary
Over 10 years of hands-on financial underwriting on Conventional, Non-Conforming, Portfolio Jumbo, Non-QM, and Government-issued investment loans. Talent for anticipating key business, marketplace, and competitor dynamics in developing and implementing strategies to optimize business results, retention, and growth while mitigating risks.
Team Leader experienced in directing activities of workgroups. Develops strategies, provides training, sets goals and obtains team feedback. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Big picture focus with excellence in communicating goals and vision to succeed. Problem solver, networker, and consensus builder.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Underwriting Team Lead
theLender
10.2024 - Current
- Responsible for managing 10 Underwriters for Non-QM and Conforming mortgage loans while performing credit analysis to ensure compliance with corporate and secondary market investor standards. Responsibilities include:
- Provide daily leadership, training, and guidance to underwriters and underwriting support staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
- Motivate and coach the underwriting team to achieve divisional goals and maintain consistent quality and service levels.
- Communicate policy and guideline updates clearly and timely to the underwriting team.
- Collaborate with Regional, Operations, and Sales leadership on monthly goals and service-level management.
- Partner with Post-Closing and QC teams to resolve suspense issues and ensure delivery quality.
- Evaluate complex loan scenarios, including credit, income, and asset analyses, to support sound underwriting decisions.
- Provide second-sign authority and support for underwriters within delegated limits.
- Provide daily leadership, training, and guidance to underwriters and underwriting support staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
- Monitor departmental reports to identify productivity and quality trends, implementing process improvements where needed.
- Track and report departmental productivity and error trends to the Director of Non-QM Underwriting and/or Corporate Underwriting.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners, including Sales and brokers, through effective communication.
- Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
Underwriting Manager
Imperial Bancorp DBA as ARDRI
01.2024 - 08.2024
- Responsible for managing 5+ Underwriters Offshore and underwriting Non-QM and Portfolio mortgage loans while performing credit analysis to ensure compliance with corporate and secondary market investor standards. The Senior Underwriter will be responsible for examining loan documentation for accuracy and completeness in a prior approval environment, finding solutions, and rendering underwriting decisions for loans originated through wholesale and subsequent clearing of conditions to ensure product guidelines are adhered to.
- Contract Mortgage Underwriting/Processing/Quality Control Auditing | CA Mortgage Services | Castaic, CA | 07/22 to 9/23
- Non-QM & Conventional Underwriting/Processing - Work for various Mortgage Brokers in Southern California. Engaging with Borrowers to complete the beginning processing documentation and assisting MLO's on program qualifying for Non-QM, Private/Hard Money, and Conventional Products. Pre-Underwrite files to Lender's guidelines and policies. Assist with resolution for high-risk products with acute decision making and critical thinking to align loans targeted to be beneficial to Lenders' and Borrowers'. Adhering and adapting Team concept and mentoring to improve education & knowledge to parties such as Brokers, Borrowers, Processing, Mortgage Loan Officer, or any other parties involved with a loan transaction. Files Underwritten for the following programs:
- 12-24 Bank Statements / P & L/ DSCR/TIN/Foreign National/1099/ Super Jumbo Non-QM/Asset Depletion
- Perform post close audits to ensure that the underwriter followed specific AUS guidelines, and that loans are compliant and properly underwritten. Recommend corrective action relative to quality assurance. Assist in curing efficiencies with repurchase buy-back, conducting re-underwriting analysis and loan restructuring.
SENIOR NON-QM/JUMBO UNDERWRITER- RETAIL
First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation
07.2021 - 06.2022
- Analyzed and evaluated income, assets, liabilities, and property while upholding deadlines and ensuring the collection of all required documentation for conventional, jumbo, super jumbo, Non-QM, and HELOC financing.
- Utilized Automated Underwriting System (AUS) AI technology to gather client data, analyze the data, and generate recommended conditions required for loan approvals.
- Conducted quality reviews on post-closing financing conditions in the secondary market.
- Examined financial statements, tax returns, income statements, credit reports, appraisals, and other pertinent information by employing fraud detection and compliance reviews, resulting in 100% quality scores.
- Facilitated efficient mortgage pipeline management to fund $15-20M through forward-sale commitments and pipeline hedging to mitigate risks and increase profitability.
- Communicated with lending professionals, such as the sales team, loan processors, and key stakeholders, to secure all required documentation and advise on processing status.
- Built successful B2B relationships promoting trust, loyalty, and integrity and establishing a presence as a reliable, proven resource of products and services with corporate partners and consumer leads.
SENIOR LOAN UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
Guaranteed Rate
03.2020 - 04.2021
- Examined financial statements, tax returns, income statements, credit reports, appraisals, and other pertinent information by employing fraud detection and compliance reviews, resulting in 100% quality scores.
- Facilitated efficient mortgage pipeline management to fund $15-20M through forward-sale commitments and pipeline hedging to mitigate risks and increase profitability.
- Communicated with lending professionals, such as the sales team, loan processors, and key stakeholders, to secure all required documentation and advise on processing status.
SENIOR JUMBO NON-QM/CONVENTIONAL-WHOLESALE
Provident Lending
07.2019 - 02.2020
- Reviews & analyzes loan for Income, Collateral and Credit Analysis for Underwriting decisions Responsible for all required documentation for conventional, jumbo, super jumbo, Non-QM & Super Jumbo products Due Diligence
- Underwrites to all types of loan transactions conventional, Jumbo, Non-QM & Super Jumbo products Due Diligence
- Provides mentoring and training for all staff members including sales on current guideline & procedures.
- Performs Manual Underwriting and credit Analysis with Automated AUS System
UNDERWRITING MANAGER – CORRESPONDENT LENDING
SimplyLoans
08.2018 - 05.2019
- Reviews and analyzes loan files submitted to ensure the file meets loan program requirements.
- Responsible for day-to-day operations consisting of Loan Opener, Processor, Underwriter & Funder
- Underwrites to all types of loan transactions conventional, Jumbo, Non-QM & Super Jumbo products.
- Provide mentoring and training for all staff members including sales on current guideline & procedures.
- Due Diligence Underwriting to assist with salable loans on secondary market.
SENIOR LOAN UNDERWRITER – WHOLESALE
The Money Source
08.2017 - 07.2018
- Reviews and analyzes loan files submitted to ensure the file meets loan program requirements.
- Implemented high standards of underwriting policy, which resulted in 100% Quality scores.
- Underwrites to all types of loan transactions conventional, Portfolio & Super Jumbo products.
- Performs Manual Underwriting and credit analysis without automated underwriting systems.
- Underwrites 2-3 files per day, clears conditions for funding, prior to Doc and suspense.
SENIOR UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
California Credit Union
08.2015 - 04.2017
- Reviews and analyzes loan files submitted to ensure the file meets loan program requirements.
- Implemented high standards of underwriting policy, which resulted in 100% Quality scores.
- Underwrites to all types of loan transactions conventional, Jumbo, Portfolio & Super Jumbo products.
- Performs Manual Underwriting and credit analysis without AUS.
- Supervises group of 8 Processors with day-to-day activities processing, Income Calculation & Pre-Closing
SENIOR UNDERWRITER REMOTE CONTRACTOR- WHOLESALE
California Mortgage Services
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Reviews and analyzes loan files submitted to ensure the file meets loan program requirements.
- Underwrites to all types of loan transactions conventional & Super Jumbo products.
- Performs Manual Underwriting and credit analysis without automated underwriting systems.
- Underwrites 2-3 files per day, clears conditions for funding, prior to Doc and suspense.
MORTGAGE UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
Bank of America
03.2011 - 11.2013
- Negotiated and sold up to $25M in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans which reduced corporate balance sheet debt, regained investment capital, and secured faster profits.
- Trained and mentored all staff members, including sales, on current guidelines, regulations, and procedures to perform high-quality manual underwriting reviews and determinations.
- Managed the approval or disapproval of purchase applications and refinance vehicles following the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Federal Housing Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) guidelines ensuring solvency.
- Assessed and managed all risks associated with the business objectives and activities, ensuring adherence to and support of the corporate mission and the risk management framework.
- Assigned to assist with Pre and Post Closing Audits as well as Modifications & Forbearance Agreements
Education
NMLS SAFE #956170 - Online-Ed Beaverton, Oregon-MLO Inactive License
High School Diploma -
Arroyo Grande High
Arroyo Grande, CA06.1984
Skills
- Credit Analysis Client-Facing Customer Service Risk Assessment Time Management DU/L/P MS Office Fraud Guard Forensic Audit Quality Control Status Mart Refinance/Purchase Transactions Non-QM 2nds Citrix Encompass Meridian Link Lending QB Complex Problem Solving AUS Critical Thinking Leadership Inductive Reasoning Post Closing Defect Reviews Escalation Resolutions Operations and Sales Collaboration Complex Income Analysis Training & Mentoring
Seeking opportunities in:
MORTGAGE UNDERWRITING|FINANCE|CREDIT & RISK ANALYSIS
Section name
“Roberta’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond is what stands out most of all. She has proven to be a dependable, team player, and her expertise in the mortgage industry was an immeasurable asset.” ~Dylan Bellucci – VP Loan Support- Heritage Bank of Commerce
Timeline
Underwriting Team Lead
theLender
10.2024 - Current
Underwriting Manager
Imperial Bancorp DBA as ARDRI
01.2024 - 08.2024
SENIOR NON-QM/JUMBO UNDERWRITER- RETAIL
First Guaranty Mortgage Corporation
07.2021 - 06.2022
SENIOR LOAN UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
Guaranteed Rate
03.2020 - 04.2021
SENIOR JUMBO NON-QM/CONVENTIONAL-WHOLESALE
Provident Lending
07.2019 - 02.2020
UNDERWRITING MANAGER – CORRESPONDENT LENDING
SimplyLoans
08.2018 - 05.2019
SENIOR LOAN UNDERWRITER – WHOLESALE
The Money Source
08.2017 - 07.2018
SENIOR UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
California Credit Union
08.2015 - 04.2017
SENIOR UNDERWRITER REMOTE CONTRACTOR- WHOLESALE
California Mortgage Services
01.2014 - 01.2015
MORTGAGE UNDERWRITER – RETAIL
Bank of America
03.2011 - 11.2013
High School Diploma -
Arroyo Grande High