Bilingual Financial Counselor I

Southern Bancorp; Manila (AR); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Employee stock ownership plan

Discounted mortgage rate

Free financial education tools

No deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Employer-paid life insurance

Paid time off

Bonus plan

Merit raises

Job summary

A community development financial institution is seeking a Bilingual Financial Counselor I to provide financial counseling and education to diverse communities. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree and significant experience in financial counseling. This role involves building relationships within the community, analyzing financial conditions, and facilitating access to financial products. The position offers a full-time contract and focuses on empowering underserved populations, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum five years of experience in credit or financial counseling role.
• HUD housing counselor certification required within six months of hire.
• Accredited Financial Counseling certification required or begin coursework within sixty days.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one financial counseling to facilitate the identification and achievement of financial goals.
• Analyze current financial conditions and build outcomes-based action plans.
• Provide group learnings in financial skills that empower customers.

Skills

Fluency in English and Spanish

Strong customer-relations skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Five years of experience in credit or financial counseling

HUD housing counselor certification

Accredited Financial Counseling certification

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Project-management digital tools

CRM systems

Job description

Bilingual Financial Counselor I

Southern Bancorp

Join to apply for the Bilingual Financial Counselor I role at Southern Bancorp.

Southern Bancorp is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves underserved communities. The mission is to be wealth builders for everyone in the communities we serve, with a focus on low-wealth and unbanked populations and an emphasis on Black and Brown individuals.

Job Summary

Work in SBCP’s Asset Development Department to provide comprehensive financial counseling, coaching, and education. The financial counselor assists in recruiting for and facilitating all SBCP’s Wealth Building programs. This highly skilled professional is the core of all SBCP’s wealth building products and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one‑on‑one financial counseling to customers that facilitates the identification and achievement of financial goals using both in‑person and digital tools.
• Provide all customers prompt, efficient, and friendly service, with an emphasis on problem‑solving and solution‑building.
• Analyze and assess current financial conditions of consumers and build outcomes‑based action plans to achieve the customer’s identified financial goals.
• Maintain significant product knowledge for both SBB and SBCP financial products.
• Assist customers in accessing SBCP and SBB financial products to further their identified financial goals.
• Provide group learnings online and in‑person in areas of financial skills that empower customers to make positive financial decisions.
• Build relationships with the community to ensure SBCP is positioned in the market to attract targeted customers for SBCP services.
• Develop new clients and partners through active community outreach to build awareness for SBCP’s lending products and financial development services.
• Employ business‑development techniques to build a customer base for asset development services and lending products.
• Effectively execute a reciprocal referral network with SBCP and SBB lenders.
• Use digital platforms to collect and track data, key performance indicators, and report metrics for strategic decision‑making.
• Assist with and/or produce accurate grant and certification reporting as needed.
• Complete all required training and continuing education for certifications.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned, including assisting with wealth building programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum five years of experience in credit or financial counselor role or related field.
• HUD housing counselor certification required; employees must obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Must have Accredited Financial Counseling certification through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education or begin coursework within sixty days of start date.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines and work independently.
• Requires great attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to recall information accurately.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High degree of analytical ability.
• Strong customer‑relations skills.
• Ability to anticipate problems and use sound judgment, resourcefulness to resolve issues.
• Must have the ability to travel within markets and possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, project‑management digital tools, and CRM systems.
• Ability to speak fluently in English and Spanish.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

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

What we offer our employees

• 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6%
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Discounted rate on primary home mortgage
• Credit and housing counseling, as well as free financial education tools available to customers and employees
• No deductible medical insurance plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer‑paid life and long‑term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Bonus plan
• Opportunity for merit raises
• Employee reward and recognition programs
• Community service opportunities

Southern Bancorp is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As a Community Development Financial Institution, Southern Bancorp desires its workforce to reflect the diversity of the customers and communities that we serve. Racial and ethnic minorities, people from working‑class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQ people are often underrepresented in many financial services industry professions. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.

Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type: Full‑time

Job Function: Finance and Sales

Industry: Banking