The Community Lending Officer is responsible for proactively soliciting and originating new CRA qualifying residential mortgage and small business relationships through internal and external sources in an assigned geographic area. This individual will participate in providing financial education, working with non-profit and professional organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies to promote homeownership, small business, and community development opportunities.

The Community Lending Officer is also responsible to advise customers on deposit products and services offered by the bank and promote the growth and profitability of the bank by developing and expanding customer relationships and retention. They will work with closely with regional management, retail and small business lending, and other operational areas while seeking new accounts through outreach, calling efforts, marketing, and referrals.

Essential Functions
* Ensure compliance with third party agencies and vendors
* Ensure exceptional customer service experience throughout the loan origination process
* Interact with other team members and other departments in a professional manner
* Submit complete credit applications with supporting documentation
* Develop and maintain successful relationships with internal and external referral sources
* Prospect new mortgage, small business, community development loans
* Develop relationships with community organizations, MLOs, commercial and small business lenders to improve lending to LMI individuals and within LMI and high minority census tracts
* Facilitate communication activities with customers and referral sources during loan origination process
* Review applications, credit files, and customer qualifications to determine appropriate loan products and pricing
* Counsel and coach loan applicants to assist them towards their goals and to deliver the best loan products for their needs
* Request timely loan rate locks for Secondary Marketing
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of loan products including conventional, portfolio, FHA, VA, USDA-Rural Housing programs and secondary market rules; including SBA, Habitat for Humanity, and tax-credit opportunity loans
* Achieve production and quality goals
* Cross-sell other Northwest products and services to loan applicants
* Responsible for ensuring that they consistently provide the best customer experience possible, and for participation and support of all aspects of the Bank's adopted sales process
* Work with marketing to create/suggest advertising and promotional materials
* Conduct and participate in staff meetings as appropriate regarding CRA qualifying lending products
* Conduct direct business calls / referrals as outlined in the CRA Program
* Develop and maintain community presence and involvement
* Ensure growth in revenue producing products and services
* Develop new and expand existing small business loan relationships within LMI and high minority census tracts, residential loan relationships within LMI and high minority census tracts, deposit relationships within LMI and high minority census tracts, and partnerships with Branch managers, cash management Advisors and Trust and Investment Advisors to promote additional business opportunities and profitability for the Bank
* Actively participate in community affairs
* Quickly establish a consistent SBA business development cadence in the marketplace which includes but is not limited to, Call Planning and Follow-Up, Client Retention Calls, New Client Prospecting, Outbound Telephone Calling Efforts, Networking Events
* Educate prospective clients about the Bank's underwriting guidelines, SBA programs and all applicable government regulations.
* Manage Business Banking SBA portfolio of both credit and noncredit clients.
* Make loan presentations and recommendations to Credit, team leaders and senior line of business managers as required
* Organize, create, and provide financial education through participation in Home Buyer seminars and presentations.
* Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
* Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
* Complete other duties and special projects as requested
* Participate in presentations as needed

QUALIFICATIONS
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 required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's Degree Business, Finance, or related subject or equivalent experience preferred

Preferred Work Experience

3 - 5 years Mortgage origination or sales experience
3 - 5 years Lending / Banking experience
3 - 5 years Supervisory Experience
Customer Service Experience

General Employee Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

* Ability to establish effective working relationships among team members and participate in solving problems and making decisions
* Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, whether oral or written
* Ability to actively listen to what others are saying to achieve understanding, sharing information with others and facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information
* Ability to establish courses of action for self to accomplish specific goals, develop and use tracking systems for monitoring own work progress, and effectively use resources such as time and information
* Ability to make right decisions based on perceptive and analytical processes, practicing good judgment in gray areas

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to successfully meet production and quality goals
Knowledge of banking industry laws, regulations, and the retail origination process
Knowledge of conventional, government loan products and guidelines including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, USDA-Rural Housing and VA loans
Knowledge of Ellie Mae-Encompass Loan Origination software, Freddie Mac - Loan Product Advisor and Optimal Blue pricing engine
Knowledge of retail mortgage loan pricing
Sales skills with the ability to turn prospects into customers
Strong networking and organizational skills
Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple deadlines and priorities
Applicant should possess knowledge of regulatory and compliance issues
Proven organizational and communication skills, and the ability to analyze financial data
Applicant needs to be able to motivate and be a team player

Licenses and Certifications

Nmls Registry Per the SAFE Act, annual renewal as a condition of employment Within 3 months

The pay range for this position is generally $50,000-80,000 per year plus a structured incentive compensation plan. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the successful candidate's experience, skills, and knowledge.

#LI-JB1

#LI-Hybrid