Mortgage underwriting is the process that a lender uses to determine if the risk of offering a mortgage loan to a particular borrower is acceptable. It is a part of the larger mortgage origination process and involves assessing the borrowers creditworthiness and the risk of lending money to them. The underwriter helps the mortgage lender decide whether or not to approve a loan application and works with the borrower to ensure that all necessary paperwork is submitted. The underwriting process evaluates the borrowers finances and past credit decisions, looking at factors such as income, assets, debt, and credit history. The underwriter considers the five Cs of underwriting: credit, capacity, cash flow, collateral, and character. The underwriter also assesses the risks involved in offering the loan, such as interest rate risk, default risk, and prepayment risk. The underwriting process can be a long one that requires a thorough examination of the borrowers finances and the property they want to buy. Ultimately, the underwriter makes the final decision on whether to approve or decline a loan.