Commercial Loan Assistant

First US Bank; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

First US Bank in Birmingham, AL is seeking a Commercial Loan Assistant to support Commercial Lenders and Portfolio Managers through the loan lifecycle, including documentation gathering, file maintenance, and servicing. You will coordinate with borrowers, attorneys, title companies, and internal teams to ensure timely closings and accurate loan records.

The role requires at least two years in banking or loan operations, with strong attention to detail and solid knowledge of loan documentation

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate’s or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Two or more years of banking, loan operations, or administrative experience required.
• Knowledge of commercial loan documentation and processing preferred.
• Familiarity with Jack Henry / Silverlake / Xperience / Synergy / OnBoard Loans / MeridianLink platforms is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support Commercial Lenders, Portfolio Managers, Treasury Management, and Retail Banking to deliver a coordinated client experience.
• Liaise between the commercial lending client team and Loan Operations to facilitate timely documentation and servicing.
• Assist with new loan requests, renewals, modifications, extensions, and routine servicing.
• Gather financial statements, tax returns, entity documents, insurance information, borrower authorizations, and other required documentation.
• Order appraisals, surveys, environmental reports, flood determinations, title work, and other due-diligence items.
• Review collateral title policies and verify property taxes have been paid.
• Input information for submission to Loan Operations and review draft loan documents for accuracy.
• Coordinate with borrowers, attorneys, title companies, and internal departments for closings.
• Review disbursement statements for accuracy and proper posting of funds.
• Maintain complete loan files and ensure compliance with internal controls.
• Assist with ACH and account-transfer setup and servicing transactions.
• Participate in compliance training and assist in training new teammates.

Job description

The Commercial Loan Assistant provides administrative, operational, and customer-service support to Commercial Lenders and Portfolio Managers. This position helps move commercial loan requests from application through closing and ongoing servicing by gathering information, preparing documentation, maintaining accurate loan files, tracking exceptions, and communicating with borrowers and third parties. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities / Job Duties:

• Support Commercial Lenders, Portfolio Managers, Treasury Management, and Retail Banking in delivering a coordinated client experience. Provide appropriate assistance as needed for product referrals and recommendations, deposit account opening, online and mobile banking setup, and other client-service matters.
• Serve as a liaison between the commercial lending client team and Loan Operations. Assist with troubleshooting issues, resolving discrepancies, communicating outstanding requirements, and facilitating timely completion of loan documentation, booking, closing, and servicing activities.
• Asist Commercial Lenders and Portfolio Managers with new loan requests, renewals, modifications, extensions, and routine servicing matters.
• Gather financial statements, tax returns, entity documents, insurance information, borrower authorizations, and other required documentation from clients and third parties. Review submitted documentation for completeness and promptly identify missing items for follow-up.
• Asist with ordering appraisals, surveys, environmental reports, flood determinations, title work, UCC searches, credit reports, inspections, and other due-diligence items. Review received items to identify any errors or inconsistencies, flood zone designations, environmental findings, credit report fraud alerts or address discrepancies, and other matters requiring attention. Promptly elevate identified issues to the appropriate party.
• Review collateral title policies and available public lien records to confirm the bank’s correct priority lien position. Obtain evidence of current insurance on collateral and verify the adequacy of coverage. Confirm property taxes have been paid on all loans secured by real estate.
• Review approved credit memo packet with Commercial Lender and Portfolio Manager to ensure proper understanding of loan documentation required.
• Create a complete CIF record for new clients; verify accuracy of CIF record for existing clients.
• Input information as approved for submission to Loan Operations for creation of loan documents. Review draft loan documents for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to terms of loan approval before closing.
• Coordinate with borrowers, attorneys, title companies, insurance agents, appraisers, and internal departments to support timely and efficient closings for both in-person and electronic-signing transactions.
• Review internally-prepared disbursement statement or attorney-prepared settlement statement for accuracy and proper disbursement of funds. Collect required fees, accrued interest, and closing funds, and ensure all items are properly posted to the appropriate loan and general ledger accounts.
• Verify loan documents have been properly executed, including required signatures, notarizations, initials, and dates. Verify loan data has been accurately booked on the core data system.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and readily accessible commercial loan and credit files. Scan, upload, and index all required documents to the commercial shared drive, Synergy, and other designated bank systems, including financial statements, credit memoranda, approvals, covenant tests, annual reviews, loan documents, correspondence, collateral documentation, and servicing records.
• Ensure credit files are organized and complete to support internal loan review, external audit, regulatory examination, and other quality-control processes. Promptly address or elevate missing documentation and other file exceptions.
• Assist with ACH and account-transfer setup, incoming and outgoing wires, loan advances, payment processing, late fees, and other servicing transactions, subject to required approvals and internal controls.
• Proactively monitor and follow up on financial statement ticklers, upcoming insurance expirations, loan exceptions, and other assigned reporting items.
• Review past-due, matured, and approaching maturity loan reports and coordinate with Commercial Lenders and Portfolio Managers to support timely resolution, renewal, extension, collection, or other approved action.
• Respond professionally and promptly to borrower inquiries and provide routine status updates.
• Prepare requested payoff letters for Commercial Lender review and approval before providing to borrower.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience.
• Continually update job knowledge and professional development through various training resources. Maintain proficiency in navigating and utilizing all applicable operating systems and loan documentation programs.
• Participate in and complete all required compliance training, including BSA/AML, as well as other internal and external training programs.
• Assist in training new teammates as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Two or more years of banking, loan operations, commercial lending support, or comparable administrative experience required
• Basic knowledge of commercial loan documentation, collateral, and loan-processing procedures preferred
• Knowledge of Jack Henry / Silverlake / Xperience / Synergy / OnBoard Loans / MeridianLink platform systems a plus
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with a high level of attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills necessary to professionally interact with customers, lending personnel, and third parties; ability to maintain a friendly, courteous, and professional demeanor throughout the workday
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other business computer systems
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a face-paced environment
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position

Working Environment / Physical Demands:

Work is performed in a professional office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. May require the ability to lift files, bend, reach, walk, or maneuver around the bank. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Disclaimer:

This position description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with the job; it is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential to the job.

Federal Contractor – Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disabled/Vets