Associate Loan Closing Specialist

Live Oak Bank•Wilmington, NC

2d•$56,540 - $92,520

About The Position

About Us Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country. Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America’s Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high-yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money. At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well-being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream. How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People The Associate Loan Closing Specialist plays a key role in protecting the Bank’s interests while delivering an exceptional, high‑touch customer experience from credit approval through loan funding. This role quarterbacks the loan closing process by partnering closely with loan officers, underwriters, borrowers, attorneys, and the loan closing management team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely closings. By balancing operational excellence with outstanding customer service, this role helps Live Oak build trusted, long‑term relationships with small business customers and internal partners. What You’ll Do at Live Oak Manage the loan closing process for SBA and Conventional loans from credit approval through funding, with a strong focus on customer experience Create, distribute, and maintain loan closing checklists to ensure required due diligence items are tracked and completed Collaborate with borrowers, attorneys, loan officers, underwriters, and third‑party vendors to obtain documentation and information by established closing dates Lead closing kick‑off calls and serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers and internal partners throughout the closing process Deliver clear, timely, and professional communication to borrowers, ensuring they understand each step of the loan closing process Respond to borrower and internal inquiries with urgency, accuracy, and a customer‑first mindset Review and validate attorney‑prepared closing documents, using independent judgment to ensure compliance with Bank, credit, and regulatory requirements Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during the closing process, escalating concerns when appropriate Assemble complete and accurate credit and closing files prior to loan funding Submit files for review in a timely manner and work closely with the Closing Team Manager to minimize review exceptions Proactively manage closing timelines, including adjusting closing dates or negotiating extensions when required documentation is delayed or incomplete Coordinate with Quality Assurance, borrowers, and attorneys to resolve loan exceptions while maintaining a positive customer experience Maintain clean, organized loan files through research, attention to detail, and problem solving Adhere to all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC Follow SBA Standard Operating Procedures and Live Oak Bank policies Function as an engaged and collaborative team member, recognizing that teamwork is critical to delivering excellent service Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Demonstrated customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and empathetically
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Strong written and verbal communication skills
High attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy
Professional and trustworthy in handling confidential information

Nice To Haves

College degree in business, finance, legal studies, or a related field
Experience in customer‑facing roles such as lending, legal, real estate, financial services, operations, or project coordination
Prior experience with SBA or commercial lending is a plus, but not required

Responsibilities

Manage the loan closing process for SBA and Conventional loans from credit approval through funding, with a strong focus on customer experience
Create, distribute, and maintain loan closing checklists to ensure required due diligence items are tracked and completed
Collaborate with borrowers, attorneys, loan officers, underwriters, and third‑party vendors to obtain documentation and information by established closing dates
Lead closing kick‑off calls and serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers and internal partners throughout the closing process
Deliver clear, timely, and professional communication to borrowers, ensuring they understand each step of the loan closing process
Respond to borrower and internal inquiries with urgency, accuracy, and a customer‑first mindset
Review and validate attorney‑prepared closing documents, using independent judgment to ensure compliance with Bank, credit, and regulatory requirements
Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during the closing process, escalating concerns when appropriate
Assemble complete and accurate credit and closing files prior to loan funding
Submit files for review in a timely manner and work closely with the Closing Team Manager to minimize review exceptions
Proactively manage closing timelines, including adjusting closing dates or negotiating extensions when required documentation is delayed or incomplete
Coordinate with Quality Assurance, borrowers, and attorneys to resolve loan exceptions while maintaining a positive customer experience
Maintain clean, organized loan files through research, attention to detail, and problem solving
Adhere to all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC
Follow SBA Standard Operating Procedures and Live Oak Bank policies
Function as an engaged and collaborative team member, recognizing that teamwork is critical to delivering excellent service
Perform other duties as assigned