Job Description
The Merchant Underwriter is responsible for evaluating and decisioning new merchant enrollments to mitigate financial and reputational risk.This role ensures that all enrollments adhere to established guidelines while maintaining a high level of efficiency. This role is focused on developing core risk assessment skills and contributing to the overall quality of the underwriting pipeline.
Key Responsibilities
Core Underwriting & Risk Assessment
- Daily Decisioning: Conduct due diligence on merchant applications, including reviewing background checks, financial statements, and business models to determine risk levels.
- Guideline Adherence: Ensure all applications meet internal underwriting policies and regulatory requirements.
- Escalation Management: Identify high-risk or "gray area" cases and escalate them to Senior Underwriters/Management with a clear summary and initial recommendation.
- Portfolio Monitoring: Assist in the periodic review of existing accounts to ensure ongoing compliance and risk stability.
Quality & Reporting
- Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed notes within the underwriting system to justify approval or declination decisions.
- Data Integrity: Self-audit work for accuracy to ensure high scores during Quality Assurance (QA) reviews.
- Metrics Tracking: Contribute to team goals by meeting daily production and turnaround time (SLA) targets.
Process Support & Learning
- Continuous Learning: Actively participate in training sessions and job shadowing to stay current on evolving fraud trends and industry regulations.
- Feedback Loop: Provide feedback to leadership regarding workflow bottlenecks or common issues encountered during the enrollment process.
The requirements listed are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform successfully in this position.
Basic Qualifications
- Education/Experience: 1–2 years of experience in banking, credit analysis, or financial services.
- Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze data, spot inconsistencies, and make logical, evidence-based decisions.
- Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with internal teams and occasionally contacting merchants for additional info.
- Detail-Oriented: A "sharp eye" for identifying red flags or fraudulent documentation.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, managing high-volume applications while staying ahead of evolving industry trends