Lending Specialist

Valley Bank • Fairfield, NJ

5d

About The Position

The Lending Specialist serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external customers and stakeholders from loan approval through closing, and for questions and requests during loan monitoring and servicing. The role manages deal flow with Relationship Managers and coordinates with internal downstream stakeholders to support timely closings.

The position coordinates and reviews closing documentation and information for due diligence, application processing, insurance, operational feasibility, transaction execution, and regulatory requirements. It supports transaction processing, resolves or escalates issues, orders and prepares necessary documents, and partners with closing and servicing operations to ensure loans are properly booked and serviced. The specialist reviews loan documents for accuracy, may close loans, ensures funding and ongoing loan activity are processed and booked correctly, and communicates pre-closing issues to lenders.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Up to 3 years of Lending Assistant or Loan Processor experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
• Confidence enforcing policies, procedures, and processes when challenged.
• Strong PC skills, including Microsoft Office applications, the bank's core system, and nCino software.
• High proficiency in customer service, organization, data input, and time management.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a high-volume, strict-deadline work environment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Commercial Real Estate and C&I loan documentation.

Responsibilities

• Act as the liaison and primary point of contact for internal and external customers and stakeholders from approval through deal closing, and address questions, requests, and inquiries during loan monitoring and servicing.
• Manage the deal-flow pipeline with Relationship Managers and lead interactions with internal downstream stakeholders to support timely closings.
• Coordinate and review closing documentation and information with counsel or internal document preparation and relevant stakeholders for due diligence, application processing, insurance, operational feasibility, execution mechanics, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with transaction execution and process flow, escalate issues, and develop solutions that ensure risks are covered by adequate controls and protections.
• Order documents needed to complete loan files and prepare supplemental documents when necessary.
• Partner with closing and servicing operations teams to support proper booking, accrual reconciliations, and daily cash positions.
• Ensure initial loan funding, when applicable, and ongoing loan activity—including payments, draws, and payoffs—are properly processed and booked with downstream stakeholders.
• Review loan documents for accuracy before closing and close loans when necessary.
• Communicate issues that arise before closing to lenders.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED