Home Loan Officer - Chicago

This position is available to work hybrid (onsite at the branch 2–3 days weekly) within our Chicago branches (primarily located in: Near North Side / Gold Coast / Wicker Park).

Schedule

• Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm CT
• Saturday rotation (approximately every 4 weeks): 9:00 am – 1:00 pm CT

Pay

• Level I: $24.00 – $30.00+ per hour, dependent on experience
• Level II: $31.00 – $37.00+ per hour, dependent on experience
• Senior Level: $38.00 – $46.00+ per hour, dependent on experience

Positions are not eligible for commission or sales incentives.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability premiums
• Up to 26 days of PTO within your first year, plus Volunteer Time Off and 11 paid holidays
• 401(k) with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave

About the role

The Home Loan Officer serves as a key point of contact for prospective borrowers, guiding them through the mortgage application process. This role involves conducting comprehensive interviews with applicants to assess their financial needs and goals, explaining available loan programs and eligibility requirements, and gathering all necessary financial documentation. The Home Loan Officer performs an initial analysis of the applicant’s financial profile to determine whether minimum qualification standards are met and provides informed recommendations on suitable loan products.

Responsibilities

Home Loan Officer I

• Ensures phone coverage by adhering to the schedule and remaining available to support members and staff during Credit Union business hours
• Originates home equity applications after conducting thorough interviews with members to ensure they are informed about the product and terms that best fit their needs
• Assists members with mortgage products and applications with the guidance of an experienced Home Loan Officer
• Communicates regularly with members regarding the status of their loan application and documents member communication in the application processing system
• Communicates with staff and management regarding application issues and/or status of a member’s loan application
• Returns e-messages, phone messages, and emails from members by the end of the day to ensure clear, concise communication
• Assists members and peers throughout the loan process to maximize loan closings and achieve origination goals
• Identifies and sells products and services, provides personalized financial education to enhance member experience, and achieves individual and departmental goals
• Resolves member service complaints or errors; expends up to the position’s authorized dollar amount of $150.00 when applicable to resolve problem situations with members
• Makes home equity lending decisions within assigned lending approval limits or makes recommendations for preapproval or denial for Underwriter review
• Understands and adheres to the Credit Union's policies and procedures to ensure compliance and accountability for managing operational risks
• Performs other duties as assigned

Home Loan Officer II

• Originates mortgage and home equity applications after conducting thorough interviews with members to ensure they are informed about the products and terms that best fit their needs
• Communicates regularly with members and third parties (including Realtors) regarding the status of their loan
• Attends networking events, meetings, and luncheons with Realtors, Builders, Financial Planners, etc. to build relationships and attract home loan referral business
• Actively communicates problems, concerns, and opportunities to Leads or Management to improve the department and/or Credit Union
• Acts within assigned lending approval limits to pre-approve applications independent of Underwriting, as appropriate, and makes recommendations for preapproval or denial for Underwriter review

Senior Home Loan Officer

• Mentors new Home Loan Officers
• Maintains an established network of Realtors, Builders, etc. and attends events such as Association of Realtors, Women’s Council of Realtors, Homebuilders events, and others as assigned
• Creates and maintains a vast network of referral sources including Realtors, Builders, and members previously worked with to contribute to monthly business
• Resolves member service complaints or errors; expends up to the position’s authorized dollar amount of $300.00 when applicable to resolve problem situations with members
• Acts within assigned lending approval limits to pre-approve or deny applications independent of Underwriting, as appropriate

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; college-related courses are desirable, with real estate and finance coursework preferred
• Consumer lending background required; home lending experience preferred
• Knowledge of state and federal lending regulations: Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Housing Act, Flood Disaster Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Rights to Financial Privacy Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Frank Dodd Act, and Regulation Z
• NMLS number required in accordance with federal regulations
• Fannie Mae secondary market eligibility required

Senior Level

• Extensive experience in mortgage lending, including decisioning required

Skills

Core Competencies

• Communicate
• Navigate Change & Evolve
• Solve Problems & Make Decisions
• Plan, Prioritize, and Achieve
• Collaborate

Functional Competencies

• Analytical Thinking – Breaks down complex information into smaller parts to make sound decisions
• Detail Orientation – Ensures information is complete and accurate; adheres to outlined processes; follows up to ensure quality and completion of work
• Initiative – Takes proactive and prompt action to accomplish work goals; takes action to achieve results beyond requirements
• Member Service – Effectively leverages opportunities and generates leads to cross-sell products and services with integrity, supporting member needs while achieving individual, department, and organizational goals
• Mentorship – Helps others build awareness, confidence, and resources necessary to fulfill their potential, regardless of reporting relationship
• Organization – Arranges work in a systematic way on small or large scales
• Process Knowledge – Demonstrates knowledge of procedures and department or Credit Union processes and utilizes this knowledge to inform decisions
• Product Knowledge – Demonstrates knowledge of products, services, and relevant details offered or supported within the position
• Teamwork – Works well with internal and cross-functional teams to achieve goals; values perspectives while supporting others
• Time Management – Manages time and resources to ensure work is completed efficiently

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• May be required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods
• Ability to operate standard office technology, equipment, and tools, which may include many hours of computer and phone usage
• Occasionally needs to move about inside an office area
• Exposure to potentially hazardous conditions (e.g., robbery)