Lending Assistant

Merchants Bank•Hastings, MN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Merchants Bank in Hastings is hiring a Lending Assistant to support the Loan Department with a variety of duties throughout the commercial and consumer loan process. Work is performed under general supervision according to established policies and procedures. The position includes secretarial and clerical work, obtaining loan information, requesting and completing closing documentation, tracking and updating loan information, and providing customer and lender support. The role requires a well-organized, self-motivated person who can multitask, problem-solve, initiate projects, follow through, and work under deadlines. The position works Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in an indoor, low-noise environment, primarily seated at a desk, and reports to the Lending Support Coordinator. The Lending Assistant provides customer service to callers and walk-in customers, supports lenders and loan officers, coordinates with outside vendors, and contributes to a positive working environment. Banking experience and experience with loan documentation are preferred. Merchants Bank offers competitive wages and benefits for full-time employees.

Requirements

Strong organization, motivation, multitasking, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
Ability to initiate projects, work independently, and meet deadlines.
Excellent customer service and teamwork skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and able to use office equipment.
Above-average written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to conduct oneself in a manner that supports the Bank’s overall marketing effort.
Finger dexterity to operate office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Banking experience.
Experience with loan documentation.

Responsibilities

Start loan processes for requests and annual reviews in the LendingCloud system as requested by lenders or identified in lender reports.
Assist Loan Officers in obtaining required loan information, such as UCC searches, appraisals, customer relationship exception reports, title and flood searches, environmental assessments, legal descriptions, recording fees, corporate documents, insurance, tax information, loan payoffs, VIN corrections, and other requested items.
Request commercial loan documents for closings and complete the applicable checklist before closing.
Perform quality-control checkbacks to confirm loan documents match credit authority and approvals.
Confirm required loan documentation has been requested and received and that applicable closing fees are included on the Disbursement Register or Settlement Statement.
Assist Loan Officers at closings by typing cashier’s checks, arranging wire transfers, notarizing documents, and sending documents for timely recording or filing.
Follow up on outstanding post-closing documentation, including insurance and title work.
Close loans with customers when requested by a lender.
Prepare loan funding spreadsheets and checklists to book loans in the Signature/CBS system and send them to the appropriate groups.
Complete Beneficial Ownership Form and CIP documentation before closing.
Complete HMDA and CRA reportable documentation for commercial loans and review and process HMDA applications for consumer loans.
Complete insurance checklists and send them to the appropriate department.
Audit and maintain the collateral vault and work with audit or compliance staff to correct items as needed.
Type and process construction advances.
Open, sort, review, and distribute department mail.
Process customer loan advances, loan payments, late-fee waivers, and payment reversal requests through the Intranet form.
Assist with processing non-accrual documents and funds collected, forwarding them to the appropriate departments.
Assist with floor plan advances and payoffs as needed.
Track FSA/SBA advances and borrower payments as required.
Scan incoming financial statements, file them in the appropriate folder for LQAS, and complete salutation setup in LQAS.
Respond promptly to commercial and consumer paid-loan processes.
Assist lenders with collecting customer financial information and other required reporting.
Prepare correspondence requested by Loan Officers, including requests for document signatures and collateral or security agreement corrections.
Provide customers with loan history reports, year-end reports, and other loan documentation they request.
Schedule department meetings and prepare and distribute applicable Loan Department reports, including delinquent notes, maturing notes, pipeline, and commercial fees collected.
Assist lenders with exception reports and attend customer visits when requested.
Provide customer service by answering telephones, helping walk-in customers, and providing ongoing lender support.
Maintain good working relationships with outside vendors, including title companies, realtors, and county recorder’s offices.
Greet internal and external customers in a friendly and outgoing manner and contribute to a positive working environment.
Follow financial institution compliance requirements and laws and complete required compliance training.
Perform other duties as assigned.