Underwriter
Auto Insurance
An individual in an insurance company who determines what insurance risks will be accepted and on what terms.
- — Auto Insurance Glossary retrieved 2014-05-19
The person who reviews an application for insurance and decides if the applicant is acceptable and at what premium rate.
- — Glossary of Common Auto Insurance Terms retrieved 2014-05-19
Homeowners Insurance
An individual in an insurance company who determines what insurance risks will be accepted and on what terms.
- — Homeowners Insurance Glossary retrieved 2014-05-16
The person who reviews an application for insurance and decides if the applicant is acceptable and at what premium rate.
- — Glossary of Common Homeowners Insurance Terms retrieved 2014-05-16
Personal Finance
An underwriter, typically an investment banker, buys an entire new securities issue from the company or government offering it, and resells the issue as individual stocks or bonds to the public.
Part of the underwriter's job is to weigh the risks involved in taking on the financial responsibility of finding buyers against the profit to be made on the difference between the price paid for the issue and the amount it will generate.
Typically, a number of bankers join forces as a purchase group, or syndicate, to spread the risk around and to reach the widest possible market.
Insurance policies also need an underwriter. In this case, the term refers to a company that is willing to take the risk of insuring your life, property, income, or health in return for a premium, or payment.
Real Estate
A professional who approves or denies a loan to a potential homebuyer based on the homebuyer's credit history, employment status, assets, debts and other factors such as loan guidelines.