Loan Assistant - Fern Avenue

SUMMARY:

The Loan Assistant supports Commercial Banking, Business Banking, Private Banking and/or Consumer Lending Officers and provides client support, preparing outgoing correspondence, providing and coordinating general customer service, and collecting required supporting closing documents. It is important to have knowledge of and to adhere to all consumer and/or commercial lending regulatory guidelines, internal policy, procedures, processes, the Bank’s Service Level Agreement (SLA), and legal issues related to lending with a high degree of accuracy. This role requires an eye for detail to ensure that loan packages and files are complete, accurate, and contain the necessary documents to allow the Lending Services Department to process the loan request and complete the loan documentation for closing. Heavy client contact requires responsive and professional personality with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Adheres to Progressive Bank’s Mission, Customer Commitments, Team Commitments and Values

Assists Lending Officers or works independently to coordinate, complete, and close all types of loan transactions. These responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• • Thorough understanding of banking regulations as well as the Bank’s loan policies, procedures, and processes
  • Thorough understanding and conformance with Service Level Agreement (SLA), as applicable
  • Works in a professional manner with the Lending Services Department/Loan Operations in retrieving information/documents needed to complete the loan package to ensure package satisfies regulatory and internal guidelines
  • Obtain information related to the loan origination process including: customer identification procedures, ordering appraisals, and pest inspection reports
  • Utilizes the Bank’s current software to input detailed loan information via Decision Pro (Consumer) and CreditQuest (Commercial)

Assists with clearing of financial and collateral exceptions within prescribed time frames and metrics

Assists customers with processing loan payments and advances

Works with participation banks as needed to provide loan documentation packages, funding’s and payments

Prepares written correspondence and memos as requested

Locates correct mailing addresses for returned mail as needed and assists with maintaining current and accurate client records and contact information (email addresses, phone numbers, etc.)

Assists customers within assigned client base or any customer or prospective customer of the bank with general customer inquiries or information and/or product issues or questions

Assists customers with routine deposit account-related requests such as: funds transfers, automatic funds transfers, inquiries about bank deposit products and service charges, inquiries about ATM and debit card usage and limits, inquiries about checking and savings accounts transactions and inquiries about funds availability

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Provides superior service by responding to customer problems and inquiries in a timely manner and maintaining confidentiality

Assists with expansion of client relationships through the cross selling of additional products and services

• Perform other administrative duties as may be required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under direct supervision of the Commercial Banking/Business Banking/Private Banking/Consumer Lending Officer.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
Minimum Requirement: High School Diploma and one years of commercial and/or consumer lending experience. Associate’s Degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to interact with all levels of management, employees, industry peers, vendors and customers in a courteous, tactful, patient and professional manner.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in the use of Word, Internet Explorer and Outlook,
• Ability to read, comprehend, and evaluate complex loan documents with significant attention to details.
• Ability to work independently to resolve issues and complete complex loan transactions.
• Thorough working knowledge of loan processing procedures.
• Excellent organizational and customer service skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to be flexible; adapt to change and be a team player
• Ability to exercise discretion when dealing with matters of a confidential nature

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard
office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, fax machines and Branch capture
equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Fulltime Status Days of work are Monday – Friday.
The position is expected to work Monday – Friday, 40:00 hours each week, 8 hours each day, regular hours of operation.

On occasion overtime, may be needed to meet the needs of the department.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Availability for overnight travel as required.

Proficient in the use of basic software applications – Word, Outlook, Excel and bank specific loan application software.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the several types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties do not exclude them from the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between
the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Progressive Bank is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. This means that employment decisions affecting applicants and employees will not be based upon an individual’s race, color, religion, gender (to include pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, qualifying disability or any other unlawful basis. Further, retaliation is prohibited against an employee who opposes an unlawful employment practice or who participates in a proceeding to address a perceived or actual unlawful employment practice. Employees, including managers and supervisors, who engage in such unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation will be subject to corrective action. If you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated or retaliated against or subject to harassment, you should notify your supervisor, the Human Resources Department (318.812.5274), or any other person in management whom you are comfortable in approaching. The Bank will investigate and provide a prompt and effective remedial response, up to and including discharge from employment for violation of this policy and the applicable law.

Basic Qualifications:

• High School Diploma
• Minimum of one year of lending experience required.
• Associate’s Degree preferred.