Appraisal Manager

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Lakewood, CA

About The Position

The Appraisal Manager is responsible for the end-to-end governance of the Bank’s appraisal process, from bid solicitation through final delivery and acceptance of appraisal reports. This role ensures that all appraisal activities support safe lending practices, comply with applicable regulatory and policy requirements, and effectively mitigate collateral valuation risk. The Appraisal Manager oversees third-party appraisers and appraisal reviewers, manages the Bank’s appraisal management system, supports lending teams through expert guidance, and serves as a key risk partner to the Chief Risk Officer.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of appraisal laws, regulations, and professional standards, including USPAP and FIRREA.
Extensive expertise in commercial real estate appraisal methodologies and practices.
Working knowledge of residential real estate appraisal practices.
Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting appraisals, including Fair Housing Act, RESPA, HMDA, UDAAP, and related guidance.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple deadlines.
Elevated level of customer service orientation and professional diplomacy.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, Visio).
Ability to research and navigate the Bank’s core systems (e.g., JHA).
Ability to manage difficult conversations and interact professionally with challenging stakeholders.
Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field.
Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license required
15+ years of commercial real estate appraisal experience.
5+ years’ experience managing an appraisal function or appraisal management process within a financial institution, preferably a regional bank organization.

Nice To Haves

MAI designation strongly preferred.
Familiarity with commercial and/or residential loan underwriting preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct and manage the appraisal lifecycle, including bid requests, engagement, monitoring, review, and final acceptance of appraisal and appraisal review reports.
Ensure appraisal requirements are appropriately identified during the bid process, aligning collateral analysis with loan structure, risk profile, and intended credit use.
Serve as the primary liaison between lending staff, branches, internal departments, contracted appraisers, appraisal reviewers, and the third-party appraisal management platforms (YouConnect and Dawson AMP).
Monitor timelines and deliverables to ensure appraisals are received and reviewed within established service level expectations.
Periodic site visits to potential or existing collateral locations.
Completion of collateral valuation reviews on an as needed basis.
Oversee performance, quality, independence, and timeliness of all contracted appraisers and appraisal reviewers.
Conduct regular performance evaluations, service level reviews, and quality assessments; maintain performance grading and documentation.
Manage and maintain the Bank’s Approved Appraisers and Reviewers Lists, ensuring licenses, insurance, competencies, and independence requirements are current and documented.
Recommend additions, removals, or status changes to the Approved Appraisers List to the Chief Risk Officer.
Coordinate inquiries, revisions, corrections, and clarifications with appraisers and reviewers to support timely and compliant completion.
Ensure appraisal reviews meet all applicable standards and regulatory requirements, including USPAP, FIRREA, Interagency Appraisal Guidelines, and Fair Lending standards.
Provide final sign off on appraisal reviews accepted by the Bank, confirming appropriateness of valuation conclusions and minimizing collateral and valuation risk.
Maintain, enhance, and enforce the Bank’s Appraisal Policy and related procedures.
Participate in internal audits, regulatory examinations, and risk reviews related to the appraisal process; assist in issue remediation and examiner responses as needed.
Administer and optimize the YouConnect appraisal management system to reflect organizational needs, regulatory expectations, and process efficiencies.
Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to lending personnel on appraisal requirements, policy expectations, and system usage.
Identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and risk reduction within the appraisal function.
Provide direct leadership to assigned staff, including goal setting, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
Foster a culture of accountability, quality, collaboration, and regulatory compliance within the appraisal function.
Comply with all applicable State and Federal banking regulations and internal policies, including but not limited to BSA/AML, OFAC, CIP, Fair Lending, Financial Elder Abuse Reporting, Information Security, Privacy, and Sexual Harassment policies.
Identify and escalate suspicious activity, operational concerns, or compliance risks to supervisory staff and/or the BSA department as required.
Complete all mandatory compliance training and assigned professional development programs.
Responsible for office-level compliance with applicable state and federal banking regulations, including BSA, AML, OFAC, CIP, Financial Elder Abuse reporting, Sexual Harassment prevention, and information security and privacy requirements.
Acts as the office control point to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal procedures, documentation standards, and required timeframes.
Provides supervisory oversight, identifies compliance risks, and escalates issues as appropriate.
Completes required compliance, regulatory, and job-related technical training, including assigned workshops and continuing education, within required timeframes.