Tanilla Ponder
Locust Grove,GA
Summary
Astute and methodical Senior Mortgage Underwriter with significant background working with conventional, government, jumbo, and multifamily loans. Proficient in reviewing extensive applications and supporting documentation. Maintains consistent pipelines and quick turnaround times with skilled handling of each customer's needs. Focused on mitigating company risks while meeting profit goals by making strategic decisions based on sound criteria. Successful in leading underwriting teams and training junior staff to handle high workload with impeccable accuracy. Proven expertise in identifying unacceptable risk and preventing fraud.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Truist Bank formerly SunTrust Bank
03.2016 - 07.2022
- Experience underwriting Conventional and Non QM, portfolio, and government loans
- Possess a thorough understanding of and ability to analyze Fannie, Freddie, and HUD underwriting guidelines, financial statements, and corporate and personal federal returns
- Extensive experience analyzing complex assets and diversified income sources to calculate income
- In depth knowledge of various business structures and laws to determine status with IRS and state government
- Several years' experience reviewing trusts and assessing title liens, subordinations, and other complex title issues such as UCC filings and searches
- Over ten years evaluating financial soundness of businesses using balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and income statements
- Daily use of tax transcripts, personal and complex corporate returns to assess business and personal obligations to finalize and compute income
- Peer coach to new onboarding entrants
- Monitor activities and files of new underwriters to ensure sound underwriting practices and calculate risks of fraud
- Refer any questionable practices of new underwriters in writing with a detailed plan of action and training recommendations to Underwriting Manager
- Support Underwriting Manager with team quality control findings research and cures
- Liaison between Underwriting Manager and Underwriters with guideline interpretations and guidance, policy and procedure protocols, and systems procedures and navigation
- Support Underwriting Manager and team with resolving mortgage insurance issues
- Demonstrate excellent critical thinking skills in addition to strong written and verbal communication skills to decision loan applications and meeting closing deadlines.
- 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.
- 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.
- Streamlined internal processes for improved efficiency by identifying areas for improvement and suggesting new procedures or tools.
- Mitigated risks associated with loan approvals, conducting thorough due diligence on borrower profiles and property valuations.
- Collaborated with multiple departments for seamless loan approval process, ensuring all necessary information was accurately documented and communicated.
- Demonstrated sound decision-making in approving or denying loans based on comprehensive assessments of borrower''s creditworthiness and risk factors.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of mortgage applications, consistently meeting strict deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Researched and updated industry knowledge on changing legislation and regulations.
Mortgage Underwriter
Highland Mortgage Group LLC
07.2013 - 03.2016
- Underwrote government (FHA and USDA) and conventional loans according to investor guidelines and overlays
- Constant review of HUD Handbook to update team of HUD policy and procedure changes
- Examined loan documentation for accuracy and completeness
- Examined residential property, assets, credit, and income documentation to render sound loan decisions per investor guidelines
- Direct Endorsement underwriting review of residential property and appraisals, assets, and credit to determine credit worthiness of loan applicants to render credit decisions
- Assisted senior underwriters with written exception requests and correspondence and researched QC findings.
- Collaborated with loan officers to clarify applicant information and expedite the underwriting process.
- Enhanced risk assessment accuracy by conducting thorough reviews of credit reports, employment history, and income verification documents.
- Demonstrated sound decision-making skills when assessing borrower eligibility based on financial stability, creditworthiness, and collateral value.
- Identified possible fraud risks through meticulous evaluation of application materials, protecting both lenders and homebuyers from potential losses.
- Supported the loan origination team by providing expert knowledge and guidance on complex underwriting scenarios, enabling well-informed decisions in challenging cases.
- Continuously sought opportunities for professional development, attending industry events and staying informed on regulatory changes that impact mortgage underwriting practices.
- Reviewed appraisals and title documents to verify accuracy and completeness.
- Maintained mortgage program compliance with federal agencies such as VA, HUD, and FNMA.
- Determined credit risks by reviewing files in advance and comparing data against internal checklists and guidelines.
- Worked with processing team members to communicate errors and obtain missing information for current applications.
Senior Mortgage Processor/Team Lead
Amerisave Mortgage Corporation
08.2010 - 07.2013
- Processed government and conventional loans
- Monitored rate locks to avoid expirations
- Restructured and repriced loans when necessary to ensure Approve/Eligible findings
- Responsible for the training and management of a team of five processors and managed a monthly pipeline of 35-40 loans.
- Streamlined mortgage processing workflow by implementing efficient document management systems.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing timely and accurate updates on loan applications.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations by conducting thorough reviews of loan documents.
- Collaborated with underwriters to expedite loan approvals, resulting in faster closings for clients.
- Reduced errors in mortgage applications by implementing a robust quality control process.
- Mentored junior processors, sharing knowledge and best practices to improve overall team performance.
- Handled any conditions sent from underwriting departments.
- Set up and completed loan submission packages.
- Educated customers on loan services and regulations to confirm compliance.
- Liaised with credit bureaus, employers and other sources to check applicants' credit and personal references.
President/Owner
MarRay Financial Group, Inc
08.2005 - 07.2010
- Originated third party conventional loans
- Managed seven loan officers, and three processors
- Created and oversaw the compliance and continuing education requirements for entire office and staff to maintain good standing with Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Insurance, NASD, and SEC
- Offered life insurance and a vast array of investment products and solutions.
- Enhanced company performance by implementing strategic plans and overseeing daily operations.
- Developed strong partnerships with cross-functional teams for improved collaboration and efficiency.
- Championed corporate social responsibility initiatives, fostering goodwill within the community and industry.
- Implemented robust financial controls to increase transparency, reduce risk, and optimize resource allocation.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Education
BA And MBA in Dual Program -
Mercer University
12.2025
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science -
Howard University
05.1998
Skills
- Residual Incomes
- LTV Calculations
- Regulatory Compliance Understanding
- Income Calculation Accuracy
- Appraisal Review Expertise
- Tax Return Analysis
- Asset Verification Methods
- Collateral Evaluation Competence
- Strong Decision-Making
- Fraud Detection Abilities
- Credit Risk Assessment
- Debt-to-Income Ratio Analysis
- Credit Report Interpretation
- Corporate Financial Statements
- Automated Underwriting System (AUS)
- FNMA Guidelines
References Available
Available upon request.
Designations
- FHA Direct Endorsement
- Residential Broker Lending
- NASD Series 6 (1998-2010)
- GA Securities Series 63 (1998-2010)
- GA Life and Health and Variable Insurance License #59221 (1998-2010)
Personal Information
Title: Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Certification
- Direct Endorsement (DE), Georgia Department of Housing and Urban Development
Quote
Win without boasting; lose without excuse
Albert Payson
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Senior Mortgage Underwriter
Truist Bank formerly SunTrust Bank
03.2016 - 07.2022
Mortgage Underwriter
Highland Mortgage Group LLC
07.2013 - 03.2016
Senior Mortgage Processor/Team Lead
Amerisave Mortgage Corporation
08.2010 - 07.2013
President/Owner
MarRay Financial Group, Inc
08.2005 - 07.2010
BA And MBA in Dual Program -
Mercer University
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science -
Howard University
- Direct Endorsement (DE), Georgia Department of Housing and Urban Development
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