Loan Operations Analyst

About the Role

Western is looking for a Loan Operations Analyst to join our team and help strengthen the processes, systems, and controls behind our lending operations. You'll analyze how work gets done, identify opportunities for improvement, support compliance and audit activities, contribute to system and process changes, and partner with teams across the organization.

You'll see the bigger picture by working across multiple areas of Loan Operations, help improve how we work by spotting gaps and turning complicated processes into clear, repeatable workflows, have a voice in change through system testing and process improvements, and build strong partnerships across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing loan operations processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and consistency.
• Supporting compliance-related activities and reporting, including HMDA, CRA, FHLB, and other assigned requirements.
• Creating and improving procedures, job aids, checklists, and workflow documentation.
• Analyzing reports, trends, processes, and operational issues to help identify practical solutions.
• Supporting audit and regulatory exam readiness, including documentation, issue tracking, and follow-up.
• Partnering with Loan Operations, Compliance, Risk, Audit, lending teams, Business Systems, and other internal teams.
• Participating in system testing, process changes, implementation projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-training on critical Loan Servicing and Collateral Perfection functions to help provide dependable backup coverage.
• Researching operational questions and helping internal partners navigate loan operations processes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• An associate degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field plus at least 3 years of related experience, or at least 5 years of directly related experience.
• Experience in areas such as loan operations, loan servicing, collateral perfection, lending support, compliance support, or financial services operations.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Ability to learn and work with banking systems, reporting tools, spreadsheets, workflow tools, and other technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with internal partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in loan operations, servicing, lending support, bank operations, or another regulated financial services environment.
• Experience with commercial, agricultural, or retail lending operations.
• Familiarity with HMDA, CRA, FHLB, audits, FDIC exams, or other compliance-related reporting.
• Experience with systems such as Navigator, Sageworks, LaserPro, Smartsheet, Quietrack, or similar banking and workflow platforms.
• Experience writing procedures, improving processes, testing system changes, or supporting implementation projects.
• Community banking experience.

Work Environment

You'll thrive here if you:

• Naturally look for ways to make processes better.
• Enjoy solving problems and digging into the details.
• Take ownership and follow through on commitments.
• Know when to work independently and when to ask questions or escalate an issue.
• Communicate clearly and enjoy partnering with different teams.
• Can balance accuracy and compliance with practical, efficient solutions.
• Are curious and willing to learn new systems, processes, and areas of the business.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary based on experience, skills, internal equity, and market location.
• 5% discretionary annual bonus opportunity.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• 401(k) and company contributions.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Employee assistance and wellness programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Banking benefits and additional team member programs.