Consumer Loan Underwriter Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Consumer Loan Underwriter roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, making them viable for visa sponsorship at banks, credit unions, and fintech lenders. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsoring, and candidates with a finance or economics degree are best positioned to clear the specialty occupation threshold.
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Get Access To All JobsWho We Are
First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 15 locations including 11 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace and a Top Corporate Philanthropist. By popular vote, First Fed received awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers’ Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes.
For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We’ve donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years – many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year!
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds – our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team!
Our Values
Optimism: We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.
Initiative: We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.
Respect: We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.
Growth: We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.
Ownership: We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
Position Purpose
The Consumer Underwriter is accountable for the underwriting, documentation, and closing of consumer loans in accordance with regulatory requirements, internal policy, and portfolio standards. This role supports sound credit decisions, operational efficiency, and a high-quality customer experience while serving as a resource to branch personnel on consumer lending programs and processes.
Essential Functions
- Underwrite and process consumer loans, ensuring complete documentation, regulatory compliance, and adherence to portfolio and wholesale guidelines.
- Review borrower credit, income, assets, collateral, pricing, and product eligibility to support sound credit decisions within assigned authority.
- Coordinate third-party reports and vendor activity, including title, flood, appraisal, and insurance requirements, to support timely loan closing.
- Prepare and review closing documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Maintain current knowledge of lending programs, underwriting standards, policies, procedures, and systems.
- Partner across departments and provide guidance to branch personnel to support service excellence and consistent loan quality.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in accounting, finance, real estate, or a related field preferred.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Sound judgment in credit and collateral evaluation.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a deadline-driven environment.
- High degree of initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous learning.
Role Levels
- Junior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Provides underwriting support and analytical assistance to the Consumer Credit department with approval authority up to $50,000; typically requires two years of related experience or equivalent internal experience.
- Consumer Loan Underwriter – Independently underwrites, processes, and closes consumer and wholesale loans with approval authority up to $250,000; typically requires two years of underwriting experience.
- Senior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Serves as a senior underwriting resource, providing mentorship and advanced credit expertise with approval authority up to $500,000; typically requires five years of underwriting experience and is able to perform all the duties in the Consumer Credit Department.
Physical Requirements
This role requires the ability to operate standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person and remotely (telephone, video conference, written communication, etc.), and work in a combination of sitting and standing throughout the day. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay Range
- The pay range for this position is $22.67 - $38.55 per hour.
- The typical hiring range for this position is $22.67 - $26.02 per hour.
- The incentive plan for this position is the Partnership Incentive plan Tier 2. It is paid out quarterly with a 7.5% target payout.
- Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more! Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at https://www.ourfirstfed.com/careers
As a community Bank, we know the power in bringing people together from all walks of life. Our communities are beautiful and strong because of their diversity, and it’s important to us that all of our locations reflect the unique diversity of the places we live and work. We are passionate about hiring the very best talent and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
First Fed invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for our career opportunities. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our online job search or application tools, please email Human Resources via teresa.yandl@ourfirstfed.com or call 360-460-2605. Note: This contact information is reserved solely for job seekers requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the application process. Messages left for other purposes may not receive a response.
We are required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
Who We Are
First Fed is a local community bank on an exciting growth trajectory with 15 locations including 11 full-service branches in Western Washington. First Fed was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Best Workplace and a Top Corporate Philanthropist. By popular vote, First Fed received awards for Best Bank in The Best of the Northwest, Best Banker in Readers’ Choice by Cascadia Daily News, and Peninsula Daily News named us Best Bank on the Olympic Peninsula. We also received a Best-In-State bank award from Forbes.
For over 100 years First Fed has served our customers and communities throughout the PNW. We’ve donated over $9 million to non-profit organizations in the past 8 years through our foundations, sponsorships, direct donations, and matched employee donations. Our amazing team has volunteered over 25,000 hours in the past 5 years – many by using our benefit of 3 paid volunteer days per year!
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds – our diversity makes us stronger. Join our award-winning team!
Our Values
Optimism: We are positive and decisive. We believe the future will be better than the past. Our attitude demonstrates persistence which leads to success.
Initiative: We are self-starters and find innovative solutions. We are courageous, entrepreneurial, and passionate. We take action for good.
Respect: We include individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. We are committed to honoring and serving others.
Growth: We learn and adapt so we can continually improve. We believe in personal growth through grit and determination.
Ownership: We are invested in our endeavors. We are accountable and take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
Position Purpose
The Consumer Underwriter is accountable for the underwriting, documentation, and closing of consumer loans in accordance with regulatory requirements, internal policy, and portfolio standards. This role supports sound credit decisions, operational efficiency, and a high-quality customer experience while serving as a resource to branch personnel on consumer lending programs and processes.
Essential Functions
- Underwrite and process consumer loans, ensuring complete documentation, regulatory compliance, and adherence to portfolio and wholesale guidelines.
- Review borrower credit, income, assets, collateral, pricing, and product eligibility to support sound credit decisions within assigned authority.
- Coordinate third-party reports and vendor activity, including title, flood, appraisal, and insurance requirements, to support timely loan closing.
- Prepare and review closing documents to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
- Maintain current knowledge of lending programs, underwriting standards, policies, procedures, and systems.
- Partner across departments and provide guidance to branch personnel to support service excellence and consistent loan quality.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree in accounting, finance, real estate, or a related field preferred.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Sound judgment in credit and collateral evaluation.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a deadline-driven environment.
- High degree of initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous learning.
Role Levels
- Junior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Provides underwriting support and analytical assistance to the Consumer Credit department with approval authority up to $50,000; typically requires two years of related experience or equivalent internal experience.
- Consumer Loan Underwriter – Independently underwrites, processes, and closes consumer and wholesale loans with approval authority up to $250,000; typically requires two years of underwriting experience.
- Senior Consumer Loan Underwriter – Serves as a senior underwriting resource, providing mentorship and advanced credit expertise with approval authority up to $500,000; typically requires five years of underwriting experience and is able to perform all the duties in the Consumer Credit Department.
Physical Requirements
This role requires the ability to operate standard office equipment, communicate effectively in person and remotely (telephone, video conference, written communication, etc.), and work in a combination of sitting and standing throughout the day. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Pay Range
- The pay range for this position is $22.67 - $38.55 per hour.
- The typical hiring range for this position is $22.67 - $26.02 per hour.
- The incentive plan for this position is the Partnership Incentive plan Tier 2. It is paid out quarterly with a 7.5% target payout.
- Employees will be eligible for our benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plans (401k with company match and Employee Stock Ownership Plan), gym membership reimbursement, discounts on our banking products, and more! Additional information on our benefits package can be viewed at https://www.ourfirstfed.com/careers
As a community Bank, we know the power in bringing people together from all walks of life. Our communities are beautiful and strong because of their diversity, and it’s important to us that all of our locations reflect the unique diversity of the places we live and work. We are passionate about hiring the very best talent and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
First Fed invites all qualified interested applicants to apply for our career opportunities. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our online job search or application tools, please email Human Resources via teresa.yandl@ourfirstfed.com or call 360-460-2605. Note: This contact information is reserved solely for job seekers requesting accessibility assistance or accommodation in the application process. Messages left for other purposes may not receive a response.
We are required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor, and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.
See all Consumer Loan Underwriter Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Consumer Loan Underwriter roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Consumer Loan Underwriter Jobs
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
Consumer Loan Underwriter roles require a bachelor's in finance, economics, or a directly related field to satisfy the H-1B specialty occupation standard. If your degree is in a broader field like business, gather coursework transcripts showing credit risk or lending concentration.
Target lenders with active LCA histories
Regional banks, credit unions, and fintech lenders vary widely in sponsorship willingness. Search Migrate Mate to find employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing history for underwriting roles, so you're applying to companies that have done this before.
Check prevailing wage tiers before negotiating
The LCA your employer files must certify a wage at or above DOL's prevailing wage for your metro area. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for Loan Officers or Credit Analysts in your target city before your offer conversation.
Verify your credentials transfer for U.S. underwriting standards
If your underwriting experience comes from outside the U.S., be ready to show that your credit analysis methods align with U.S. consumer lending regulations. A credential evaluation from a NACES-member service strengthens your petition and reduces the chance of a USCIS Request for Evidence.
Clarify who pays which filing fees upfront
Employers must cover mandatory H-1B filing costs under DOL rules, but attorney fees and premium processing charges are sometimes negotiated. Confirm in writing before signing an offer letter which costs the employer is absorbing, since this affects your net start-date expenses.
Account for LCA certification timing in your start date
Your employer must file the LCA with DOL and receive certification before submitting the H-1B petition to USCIS. DOL targets a seven-business-day turnaround, but build buffer into your expected start date so the offer isn't contingent on an unrealistic timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Consumer Loan Underwriter role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, provided the employer documents that the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, accounting, or a closely related field. Generic business degrees can qualify, but USCIS scrutinizes them more closely. Employers strengthen the petition by showing internal job postings, industry norms, and the complexity of the credit analysis work involved.
Which visa types realistically cover Consumer Loan Underwriter sponsorship?
H-1B is the primary path for most nationalities, with an annual cap and lottery. Australian citizens can pursue the E-3 visa, which has its own 10,500 annual cap, no lottery, and requires the same specialty occupation standard. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify under H-1B1 visa. TN visa is not available for underwriter roles, as the USMCA profession list doesn't include this occupation.
How do I find employers willing to sponsor a Consumer Loan Underwriter on a visa?
Browse Migrate Mate to find employers with verified sponsorship history for underwriting and financial analysis roles. Many regional banks and fintech lenders sponsor regularly but don't advertise it in job postings, so searching by role type and location on a platform built around verified sponsorship data is more reliable than filtering general job boards.
Will my overseas underwriting experience count toward the specialty occupation requirement?
Foreign work experience counts toward demonstrating your qualifications, but the specialty occupation determination hinges on the job itself, not your background. USCIS evaluates whether the role requires a specific degree, not just whether you have one. That said, international credit analysis experience supports the complexity argument and helps if your employer receives a Request for Evidence.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new underwriting employer if I change jobs?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer once the new I-129 petition is filed with USCIS, without waiting for approval. The new employer must file a new LCA certified for the new position and location. Any change in job duties, title, or work location typically triggers a fresh LCA even with the same employer.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Consumer Loan Underwriter jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.