Mortgage Community Development Loan Officer

Bell Bank•Saint Louis Park, MN

About The Position

The Mortgage Community Development Loan Officer expands sustainable homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate income individuals, families, and underserved communities. The role combines mortgage lending expertise with community engagement to increase access to affordable homeownership solutions, promote financial empowerment, and support generational wealth building. Under minimal supervision, the officer originates mortgage loans that meet regulatory, investor, and portfolio requirements, including Housing Finance Agency (HFA), first-time homebuyer, affordable lending, and down payment assistance programs. The position also serves as a community ambassador and strategic partner, cultivating relationships with nonprofit organizations, housing agencies, community advocates, and internal stakeholders to advance Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair Lending objectives.

Requirements

Associate degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Real Estate, Community Development, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2–4 years of recent residential mortgage loan origination experience, preferably supporting affordable lending, community development, CRA, or Fair Lending initiatives.
Active NMLS registration and ability to maintain licensing requirements.
Experience with mortgage regulations, compliance requirements, investor guidelines, and secondary market standards.
Demonstrated experience utilizing down payment assistance and affordable lending products.
Community Development, CRA, or Fair Lending-related lending experience.
Working knowledge of conventional, FHA, VA, and affordable housing lending programs.
Ability to build relationships, generate business, and develop referral networks.
Strong verbal, written, presentation, and customer service skills.
Ability to analyze borrower financial information and make sound lending recommendations.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
Ability to travel within the market area and work occasional evenings and weekends for community outreach and development activities.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.

Responsibilities

Originate residential mortgage loans in compliance with agency, investor, regulatory, and bank portfolio guidelines, with a focus on CRA and Fair Lending initiatives.
Consult with prospective borrowers to assess financing needs, explain mortgage solutions, and guide them through the home financing process.
Collect, analyze, and verify borrower information for loan applications, underwriting, disclosures, and approval.
Evaluate creditworthiness and determine eligibility for affordable lending and down payment assistance programs.
Structure loan transactions to align with product requirements and investor guidelines.
Enter and maintain accurate loan information in the loan origination system and coordinate appraisal and documentation requirements.
Submit loans through automated underwriting systems and review findings for compliance with program guidelines.
Prepare and deliver required disclosures, including Loan Estimates and redisclosures, within regulatory timeframes.
Coordinate with processors, underwriters, closers, real estate professionals, and borrowers to provide a seamless customer experience.
Review Closing Disclosures with borrowers and prepare customers for successful loan closings.
Issue prequalification determinations based on preliminary analysis of borrower eligibility.
Maintain current knowledge of mortgage products, investor requirements, affordable housing programs, compliance requirements, and market conditions.
Develop and execute business development and marketing plans to expand market presence and increase loan production.
Develop and maintain partnerships with nonprofit organizations, housing agencies, community groups, and others serving LMI and underserved populations.
Promote affordable homeownership opportunities and financial education as a trusted community resource.
Plan, coordinate, and facilitate homebuyer education workshops, financial wellness seminars, and community outreach events.
Represent Bell Bank Mortgage at housing fairs, community events, nonprofit functions, and industry meetings.
Increase awareness and utilization of affordable lending products, down payment assistance programs, and homeownership resources.
Collaborate with internal partners to align community development initiatives with business strategies and regulatory objectives.
Monitor, track, and report community development activities, outreach efforts, program participation, and market impact.
Measure and communicate progress toward CRA and Fair Lending goals and market objectives.
Identify opportunities to strengthen Bell Bank Mortgage's presence and impact in underserved communities.
Share success stories, program outcomes, and community impact achievements with leadership and stakeholders.
Build and maintain productive relationships with customers, referral partners, community organizations, and internal business partners.
Collaborate with Operations, Compliance, Community Development, and Mortgage leadership teams to support organizational objectives.
Act as a liaison between the bank and community stakeholders to identify needs, remove barriers to homeownership, and promote equitable access to lending.
Deliver exceptional service while advocating for customers and the communities Bell serves.
Know customers and employees by name and face where possible, and address them by name as often as possible.
Know and practice LOCBUTN, the Golden Rules, and Bell Bank Customer Service Standards.
Understand and live the company values and bottom line.
Conduct activities consistently with Bell Bank policies, procedures, systems, Employee Conduct policies, the Bank Secrecy Act, and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Follow information security policies and standards that protect sensitive information.
Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.
Perform other duties as assigned.