Associate Loan Closing Specialist

liveoakbancshares; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank serving small business owners nationwide. The Associate Loan Closing Specialist plays a key role in protecting the Bank's interests while delivering an exceptional, high-touch customer experience from credit approval through loan funding.

This role quarterbacks the loan closing process by partnering closely with loan officers, underwriters, borrowers, attorneys, and the loan closing management team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely closings.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated customer service skills with professional communication.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication with high attention to detail.
• Professional and trustworthy handling of confidential information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Manage the loan closing process for SBA and Conventional loans from credit approval through funding, with a strong focus on customer experience.
• Create, distribute, and maintain loan closing checklists to ensure required due diligence items are tracked and completed.
• Collaborate with borrowers, attorneys, loan officers, underwriters, and third-party vendors to obtain documentation and information by established closing dates.
• Lead closing kick-off calls and serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers and internal partners throughout the closing process.
• Deliver clear, timely, and professional communication to borrowers, ensuring they understand each step of the loan closing process.
• Respond to borrower and internal inquiries with urgency, accuracy, and a customer-first mindset.
• Review and validate attorney-prepared closing documents, using independent judgment to ensure compliance with Bank, credit, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during the closing process, escalating concerns when appropriate.
• Assemble complete and accurate credit and closing files prior to loan funding.
• Submit files for review in a timely manner and work closely with the Closing Team Manager to minimize review exceptions.
• Proactively manage closing timelines, including adjusting closing dates or negotiating extensions when required documentation is delayed or incomplete.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance, borrowers, and attorneys to resolve loan exceptions while maintaining a positive customer experience.
• Maintain clean, organized loan files through research, attention to detail, and problem solving.
• Adhere to all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC.
• Follow SBA Standard Operating Procedures and Live Oak Bank policies.
• Function as an engaged and collaborative team member, recognizing that teamwork is critical to delivering excellent service.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Confidential information handling

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in business, finance, legal studies, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Us

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country. Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America's Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high‑yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money. At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well‑being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream.

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People

The Associate Loan Closing Specialist plays a key role in protecting the Bank's interests while delivering an exceptional, high‑touch customer experience from credit approval through loan funding. This role quarterbacks the loan closing process by partnering closely with loan officers, underwriters, borrowers, attorneys, and the loan closing management team to ensure accurate, compliant, and timely closings. By balancing operational excellence with outstanding customer service, this role helps Live Oak build trusted, long‑term relationships with small business customers and internal partners.

What You'll Do at Live Oak

• Manage the loan closing process for SBA and Conventional loans from credit approval through funding, with a strong focus on customer experience
• Create, distribute, and maintain loan closing checklists to ensure required due diligence items are tracked and completed
• Collaborate with borrowers, attorneys, loan officers, underwriters, and third‑party vendors to obtain documentation and information by established closing dates
• Lead closing kick‑off calls and serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers and internal partners throughout the closing process
• Deliver clear, timely, and professional communication to borrowers, ensuring they understand each step of the loan closing process
• Respond to borrower and internal inquiries with urgency, accuracy, and a customer‑first mindset
• Review and validate attorney‑prepared closing documents, using independent judgment to ensure compliance with Bank, credit, and regulatory requirements
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues during the closing process, escalating concerns when appropriate
• Assemble complete and accurate credit and closing files prior to loan funding
• Submit files for review in a timely manner and work closely with the Closing Team Manager to minimize review exceptions
• Proactively manage closing timelines, including adjusting closing dates or negotiating extensions when required documentation is delayed or incomplete
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance, borrowers, and attorneys to resolve loan exceptions while maintaining a positive customer experience
• Maintain clean, organized loan files through research, attention to detail, and problem solving
• Adhere to all applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, including BSA, AML, CIP, and OFAC
• Follow SBA Standard Operating Procedures and Live Oak Bank policies
• Function as an engaged and collaborative team member, recognizing that teamwork is critical to delivering excellent service
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated customer service skills with the ability to communicate professionally and empathetically
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy
• Professional and trustworthy in handling confidential information

Preferred Experience

• College degree in business, finance, legal studies, or a related field
• Experience in customer‑facing roles such as lending, legal, real estate, financial services, operations, or project coordination
• Prior experience with SBA or commercial lending is a plus, but not required

Our Values

Dedication: Possess a deep commitment to Live Oak Bank's mission and core values, exemplified through a strong work ethic, adaptability and pride in your work.

Ownership: Take initiative to deliver positive results by proactively and creatively solving problems, while maintaining a high degree of quality.

Respect: Treat everyone with courtesy, politeness, and kindness.

Innovation: Embrace fresh ideas and fearlessly contribute new solutions to emerging or existing problems.

Teamwork: Foster collaboration, accountability, and trust with others and understand that together, we do more

For a detailed overview of our employee benefits please visit: http://www.liveoakbank.com/careers/

Live Oak Bank is an Aff… we consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information,