Community Home Lending Officer

First-Merchants-Bank; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

401k

Health Savings and Flexible Spending

Vacation/Sick Time

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Additional Benefits

Job summary

First Merchants Bank is seeking a Community Home Lending Officer to originate residential mortgage loans and expand sustainable homeownership through community engagement and education. You will develop business through real estate professionals, employers, housing agencies, and community groups, educating customers on mortgage options and the homebuying process.

Successful candidates will have strong business development and relationship management skills, maintain a robust pipeline, and adhere

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of mortgage lending or related residential lending experience.
• Active NMLS registration and eligibility to maintain mortgage loan originator registration.
• Experience meeting sales, production, or business development goals.
• Experience independently developing and managing a mortgage lending pipeline.
• Experience analyzing borrower financial information to recommend lending solutions.
• Experience educating customers on financial products and guiding through the lending process.

Responsibilities

• Develop new mortgage business through networking and partnerships.
• Educate customers on mortgage products and down payment assistance programs.
• Interview applicants, analyze finances, take applications, and submit loans.
• Maintain knowledge of mortgage products, programs, underwriting, and regulatory requirements.
• Build community partnerships to expand homeownership access.
• Plan and deliver homebuyer education workshops and financial education events.
• Maintain a well-managed pipeline with timely follow-up and accurate submissions.
• Deliver exceptional customer experience throughout the lending process.
• Achieve individual and team production goals.
• Represent the bank professionally in all interactions.

Skills

Relationship building

Sales ability

Financial analysis

Customer education

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Category: Relationship Management/Sales

Requisition Number: COMMU012919

• Posted : September 18, 2026
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Fort Wayne HQ
Fort Wayne, IN 46802, USA

Description

First Merchants is seeking a Community Home Lending Officer to join our team! The Community Home Lending Officer (CHLO) is responsible for originating residential mortgage loans while expanding access to sustainable homeownership through community engagement, financial education, and relationship development. This role develops new business through partnerships with real estate professionals, employers, housing agencies, community organizations, and other referral sources. The CHLO serves as a trusted advisor by educating customers on mortgage products, down payment assistance programs, affordable lending solutions, and the homebuying process. Successful candidates demonstrate strong business development and relationship management skills, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and achieve consistent production results. They maintain a well-managed pipeline, collaborate effectively with internal and external partners, and adhere to all applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements while supporting the Bank's commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities within the communities it serves. This position is subject to the Dodd-Frank Act and Truth in Lending Act qualification requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all applicable background, credit, and NMLS-related requirements.

As part of this role you will:

• Develop new mortgage business through networking, prospecting, and cultivating relationships with real estate professionals, builders, community organizations, employers, internal referral partners, and prospective homebuyers.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by educating customers on available mortgage products, down payment assistance programs, affordable lending programs, and the homebuying process.
• Interview applicants, analyze financial information, take residential mortgage applications, and ensure complete and accurate loan submissions.
• Maintain knowledge of residential mortgage products, down payment assistance programs, affordable lending programs, underwriting guidelines, regulatory requirements, and market conditions.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, real estate professionals, employers, housing agencies, and other referral sources to identify homeownership opportunities, expand access to sustainable homeownership, and support the Bank's community engagement initiatives.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver homebuyer education workshops, financial education presentations, and community outreach events in support of Community Home Lending and Bank community service goals.
• Participate in community activities and professional organizations to strengthen community relationships, enhance the Bank's visibility, and create opportunities to serve prospective homebuyers.
• Demonstrate operational excellence by maintaining a well-managed pipeline, ensuring timely follow-up, accurate and complete loan applications, collaborating effectively with internal and external partners, and adhering to bank policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver an exceptional customer experience throughout the mortgage lending process.
• Achieve individual production goals and contribute to overall Community Home Lending team objectives.
• Serve as an ambassador for First Merchants Bank by representing the Bank professionally in all customer, community, and business interactions.

To be successful in this position, we require the following:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in mortgage lending, mortgage origination, consumer lending with mortgage referral responsibilities, or a related residential lending role.
• Active NMLS registration and ability to maintain eligibility for mortgage loan originator registration under applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience achieving sales, production, or business development goals.
• Experience independently developing and managing a pipeline of mortgage lending opportunities.
• Experience analyzing borrower financial information and recommending appropriate lending solutions.
• Experience educating customers on financial products and services, guiding customers through the lending process, and supporting homeownership opportunities.

The following would be a plus:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.

Experience working with down payment assistance programs, affordable lending programs, or other homeownership initiatives.

Experience developing partnerships with community organizations, real estate professionals, employers, housing agencies, or other referral sources.

Experience delivering homebuyer education, financial education programs, or community outreach events.

First Merchants offers the following:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vacation/Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Additional Benefits

A little about us:

First Merchants is guided by a genuine philosophy of being a meaningful place to work and having a prosperous impact across all walks of life throughout the communities we serve, including consumers, businesses and other organizations. Our Vision, Mission and Team statement reflect and reinforce that authentic service philosophy.

Our Vision is:

To enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities we serve.

Our Mission is:

To be the most responsive, knowledgeable, and high-performing financial organization for our clients, teammates, and shareholders.

Our Team:

"We are a collection of dynamic colleagues with diverse experiences and perspectives who share a passion for positively impacting lives. We are genuinely committed to attracting and engaging teammates of diverse backgrounds. We believe in the power of inclusion and belonging."

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.