Lending Specialist - Community Mortgage

CIBC•Chicago, IL

3d•$85,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients. At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute. As a Lending Specialist - Community Mortgage, you'll provide underwriting and credit analysis support to lending partners as they evaluate, structure, and process loan applications. You'll review borrower information and supporting documentation, assess credit risk, and help identify eligibility, policy, and documentation requirements. You'll also prepare clear underwriting summaries and recommendations, support timely credit decisions, and help ensure each file meets internal standards and regulatory expectations. This role is well suited to someone who brings strong analytical thinking, sound judgment, and a commitment to prudent lending that supports community objectives. At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. Details on your work arrangement (proportion of on-site and remote work) will be discussed at the time of your interview.

Requirements

Relevant underwriting experience.
Experience in underwriting, credit analysis, mortgage lending, community development finance, small business lending, or commercial lending.
Strong knowledge of lending principles, financial analysis, and credit risk assessment.
Ability to review financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, credit reports, and borrower documentation.
Deep knowledge of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines.
Experience working with grants and down payment assistance programs.
Organized and detail-oriented.
Ability to manage multiple files at once while maintaining a high standard of accuracy, documentation quality, and follow-through.
Bring your real self to work, and live CIBC values - trust, teamwork, and accountability.

Nice To Haves

A background supporting specialized lending teams is an asset.
Familiarity with community development programs, affordable lending initiatives, mission-based credit products, or Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) related lending is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide underwriting and credit analysis support to lending partners as they evaluate, structure, and process loan applications.
Review borrower information and supporting documentation, assess credit risk, and help identify eligibility, policy, and documentation requirements.
Prepare clear underwriting summaries and recommendations.
Support timely credit decisions.
Ensure each file meets internal standards and regulatory expectations.
Review loan applications, financial information, credit reports, tax returns, collateral details, and supporting documentation to assess borrower capacity, repayment ability, and overall credit risk.
Identify missing documentation, underwriting conditions, and policy or eligibility concerns, and prepare clear credit summaries and recommendations for approval or further review.
Help ensure files are complete, accurate, and aligned with internal lending standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable program criteria.
Work closely with lending partners and internal stakeholders to structure credit solutions that balance sound risk management with community lending objectives.
Maintain accurate underwriting notes and system updates, communicate decisions and outstanding items clearly, and escalate complex or exception-based requests when needed.
Contribute to process improvements that enhance consistency, efficiency, and service delivery across underwriting support activities.