Mortgage Loan Officer

Duties & Responsibilities

• Independently originate residential mortgage loans by interviewing applicants, taking loan applications, conducting preliminary underwriting reviews, and submitting complete loan packages to processing and underwriting for approval.
• Conduct comprehensive consultations with prospective and existing customers to assess their financial circumstances, homeownership goals, borrowing needs, income, assets, liabilities, and credit history to identify appropriate lending solutions.
• Recommend mortgage products and lending strategies that align with customer objectives while providing guidance throughout the mortgage application, underwriting, and closing process.
• Maintain an active pipeline of mortgage opportunities by documenting customer interactions, monitoring loan progress, obtaining required documentation, and ensuring timely follow-up throughout the lending process.
• Collaborate with internal business partners to deliver a seamless customer experience and identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through referrals to other Bank products and services.
• Develop and maintain relationships with referral sources, including real estate professionals, builders, attorneys, financial advisors, and other community partners to generate new business opportunities and increase mortgage production.
• Develop and execute a business development strategy for an assigned territory to acquire new customers, strengthen referral partnerships, expand existing relationships, and achieve established sales goals.
• Actively market mortgage lending services through networking, community involvement, referrals, prospecting, and other sales and promotional activities to increase brand awareness and business growth.
• Perform sales-related activities primarily outside of Bank locations, including customer meetings, networking events, referral partner visits, and community outreach initiatives.
• Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• This position requires the individual to take loan applications and close loans.
• This position will require the employee to register and maintain registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS).
• Minimum of three years of mortgage loan origination experience required, including a demonstrated ability to develop referral relationships, generate new business, and manage a residential mortgage pipeline.
• Strong knowledge of residential mortgage products, mortgage pricing, underwriting guidelines, and the mortgage loan process from application through closing.
• Experience analyzing borrower financial information, credit profiles, income documentation, and assets to determine appropriate lending solutions and assess loan eligibility.
• Thorough understanding of applicable federal and state mortgage lending regulations, including TILA, RESPA, HMDA, ECOA, and Fair Lending requirements.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain a high-volume pipeline in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to educate borrowers on mortgage products, loan requirements, and the documentation necessary to successfully complete the mortgage application and approval process.
• Strong verbal communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively interact with borrowers, real estate professionals, builders, attorneys, title companies, and internal business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to tailor communications to diverse audiences, translating complex mortgage, financial, and underwriting concepts into clear and understandable information.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare professional correspondence and maintain accurate loan documentation while adhering to high standards of grammar, spelling, and professionalism.
• Ability to establish credibility and trust through a professional demeanor, consultative sales approach, and commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
• Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners by exhibiting strong interpersonal skills, collaboration, and a solutions-focused approach.
• Use sound professional judgment to balance customer needs, regulatory requirements, and organizational objectives while effectively identifying and mitigating risk.
• Demonstrated business development and networking skills, including the ability to cultivate referral sources, generate new business opportunities, and proactively follow up with prospective customers.
• Ability to communicate technical mortgage lending concepts, underwriting requirements, and loan program eligibility criteria to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Experience using Mortgage Loan Origination Systems (LOS) and related mortgage lending technologies required; previous experience with MortgageBot preferred but not required.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use as a productivity and business-support tool. Willingly learns and adopts approved AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness in daily work activities.
• Exercises professional judgment when leveraging AI-enabled tools by validating outputs for accuracy and relevance and maintaining proficiency through ongoing learning and adherence to organizational AI policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems, technologies, and workflows, and to effectively adapt to system enhancements, upgrades, and process changes.
• This position requires extensive travel, with approximately 80% of work time spent away from Bank locations cultivating referral sources, meeting with customers, developing new business opportunities, and conducting sales and networking activities.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required depending upon business need.
• Punctuality is required to maintain First American Bank’s customer service standards.