Loan Officer

About the Role

Originates various loans, promotes the bank and its lending services to the real estate community, and helps to identify and serve the community’s financial needs.

Southern Bank team members are a family, rooted in the communities we serve and working together to be the best in our industry, utilizing innovative ideas and strong products.

Ensures the confidentiality of customer non-public personal information and secures information systems to comply with bank regulations.

Responsibilities

• Solicits loan customers; personally interviews, assesses, and determines credit worthiness of loan applicants.
• Completes loan application and all pre-processing functions in a timely manner.
• Screens loan requests based on bank policies and on types of loans offered by the bank.
• Follows up with applicants and secures the necessary information to underwrite the loan; conducts site visits if needed.
• Negotiates loan structure.
• Promotes and participates in the bank’s special credit programs and other CRA programs.
• Works with loan coordinator to order appraisals, credit reports, reference checks, and other information as needed on loan applicants.
• Actively makes referrals to Personal Bankers for deposit-related accounts and products.
• Collaborates with Credit Analysts to prepare loan presentations as necessary for presentation to the Loan Committee.
• Actively participates in local business and community activities and maintains close contact with local builders, real estate brokers and agents, customers, and prospects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business or finance. (Sales/loan experience may be considered in lieu thereof.)
• One to two years’ experience in a financial institution or loan setting office.

Skills

• Good sales, organizational, managerial, and interpersonal skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Core Competencies

• Family & Trust: Builds relationships based on trust and mutual respect, maintains an inclusive and honest environment, and upholds integrity and transparency in all interactions.
• Rooted & Service: Committed to serving customers, communities, and teams with purpose, professionalism, and respect; effectively communicates and actively listens to meet their needs.
• Innovation & Strength: Fosters collaboration and continuous improvement, encourages visionary thinking, and strives for excellence to drive the organization forward.
• Self-Motivated: Demonstrates a willingness to commit to one's work and invest time, talent, and best efforts in accomplishing organizational goals.
• Building Customer Loyalty: Effectively meets customer needs; builds productive customer relationships; takes responsibility for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Sales Ability/Persuasiveness: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and communication methods to gain acceptance of a product, service, or idea from prospects and clients.

This position can be designated as a level I or II, determined by the experience of the lender, complexity of loan requests, size of portfolio, loan production, and recommendation of supervisor.