Real Estate Services Specialist

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Lakewood, CA

8h•$23 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Real Estate Services Specialist is responsible for supporting the appraisal and environmental risk management processes, including but not limited to the ordering, monitoring, review, and documentation of appraisal and environmental reports and related data. This role will assist with maintaining policies, procedures and related documentation and interfaces with lending person on needs and issues pertaining to appraisals and environmental concerns. Over time, the role will expand to support credit review activities and other risk management functions.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of the Bank’s Credit Policy Manual, Lending Procedures Manual, and Real Estate Services processes.
Understanding of Bank loan forms and their application within Real Estate Services.
Working knowledge of lending compliance regulations, lending records, collateral servicing, and loan servicing procedures.
Ability to review complex loan and collateral documentation for accuracy, completeness, form, content, and regulatory compliance.
Knowledge of non-standard lending scenarios and the ability to evaluate issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
Ability to independently review complex loan transactions and provide guidance to Branch Lending Staff on loan-related matters.
Knowledge of Bank products, services, policies, and procedures, including both lending and operations functions.
General knowledge of branch lending functions and loan documentation requirements.
Strong customer service, organizational, written, verbal, and computer skills.
Ability to effectively collaborate within a team environment while managing multiple priorities.
Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of lending regulations and industry requirements through ongoing professional development and training.
Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
Customer Identification Program (CIP) / USA PATRIOT Act.
Fair Housing Act.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA).
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).
California Civil Code.
FDIC Insurance requirements.
FIRREA (Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act).
S.A.F.E. Act (Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act).
Regulation AA (Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices).
Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity Act).
Regulation BB (Community Reinvestment Act).
Regulation C (Home Mortgage Disclosure Act).
Regulation CC (Expedited Funds Availability Act).
Regulation DD (Truth in Savings Act).
Regulation E (Electronic Funds Transfer Act).
Regulation H (Flood Insurance Requirements).
Regulation O (Loans to Executive Officers, Directors, and Principal Shareholders).
Regulation P (Privacy and Safeguarding Customer Information).
Regulation U (Margin Securities).
Regulation X (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act).
Regulation Z (Truth in Lending Act).
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a clear understanding of the English language (spoken and written).
Proficiency in Laserfiche document imaging and records management systems.
Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat Professional.
Effective telephone and customer service skills with a commitment to providing exceptional support to internal and external clients.
Working knowledge of the Bank's Credit Policy Manual and Lending Procedures Manual.
Strong mathematical aptitude and attention to detail.
Excellent typing, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to independently analyze information, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions.
Ability to actively listen, learn, and adapt to changing business and regulatory requirements.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate professionally and effectively with supervisors, co-workers, vendors, and customers.
Ability to maintain professionalism and exercise sound judgment when dealing with difficult, sensitive, or challenging situations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and productivity.

Nice To Haves

Zero (0) to five (5) years of lending, loan servicing, real estate lending, collateral servicing, loan operations, or related banking experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist the Appraisal Liaison (AL) and Environmental Review Officer (ERO) with coordinating the appraisal and environmental review process from order through final review, including engagement, tracking, reporting, delivery, and record retention.
Support the AL with appraisal procurement by obtaining bids, gathering required information from the RM, preparing engagement letters, and monitoring vendor performance and turnaround times.
Assist with reporting and finalizing appraiser evaluations and managing the approved appraiser and appraisal reviewer lists.
Assist the AL in monitoring appraiser qualification records, compliance tracking, initial vendor reviews, and service level review information; prepare appraiser packages for review and approval.
Assist in preparing internal memorandums, reports, and updates for executive management and Board of Directors review and approval related to appraiser additions, terminations, and annual certifications.
Assist the AL with the tracking and monitoring of the bid process to ensure turn times are being met once a bid is approved by the branch, enter the approved transaction in vendor portal and log all issues for Branches and Lending Committee of transparency and visibility.
Oversee and maintain the active appraisal and environmental pipeline to ensure workflow efficiency and timely completion of due diligence requirements.
Perform quality control reviews of completed appraisal reports to ensure required documentation is included prior to draft release to branch, including verification of approved appraiser status, preliminary title reports, flood determinations, and other required supporting documentation. Address discrepancies to AL and/or vendor portal.
Process appraisal and environmental invoices for accounts payable reconciliation, record retention, vendor inquiry resolution, and timely payment processing.
Order and monitor environmental reports, third-party site inspections, and flood determinations for properties subject to environmental risk analysis and due diligence requirements, and/or vendor disputes.
Interface with branch lending personnel, vendors, and internal departments to facilitate report delivery, collect required documentation, and submit the required documents through the vendor portal.
Cross-train as backup to the ERO and assist in conducting environmental risk assessments, analyzing data, and providing recommendations in accordance with policy and procedures.
Recommend process improvements and assist in developing internal procedures, lending staff training materials, application reference guides, and forms necessary to effectively administer Real Estate Services workflows.
Maintain all new and existing collateral documents within the electronic document repository, including creating and managing folders in Laserfiche.
Manage and allocate department email inbox requests to the appropriate categories and ensure service levels are met.
Perform other duties, training, assignments, and special projects as requested by management.