Community Loan Originator

Hancock Whitney Corp.; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancock Whitney Corp. in New Orleans is seeking a Mortgage Loan Specialist focused on community development programs for first-time homebuyers and low-to-moderate income borrowers.

You will coordinate with lending teams and help grow specialized lending products while ensuring regulatory compliance. The role emphasizes collaboration with non-profit housing groups and realtors, overseeing loan applications, and maintaining a clean pipeline with processors and underwriters to support responsible

Qualifications

• Requires an associate's degree and 3 months to 1 year related experience or equivalent.
• Education preferred: Bachelor’s degree and 2–4 years related experience.
• Experience preferred: Three years banking experience in community lending.
• Must be registered with NMLS (National Mortgage Licensing System).
• Must pass background check for NMLS registration.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate current loans and new proposals under community development programs.
• Coordinate lending activities with internal groups.
• Specialize in Bond Programs, FHA loans, and down payment assistance programs for low to moderate income borrowers.
• Maintain compliance with federal and state banking regulations and implement changes promptly.
• Develop relationships with non-profit housing groups, realtors, and community organizations.

Job description

JOB FUNCTION / SUMMARY

Evaluates current loans and new loan proposals considered under a variety of community development programs; Specializing in loan programs designed for First-time Homebuyers and low to moderate income borrowers; Coordinates all loan proposals with appropriate lending groups.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews and evaluates current loans to ensure compliance with terms
• Coordinates lending activities with others in the company
• Recommends changes and improvements to management in order to improve specialized lending programs for low to moderate income borrowers
• Provides input to marketing and advertising programs to ensure market awareness of the products and services available to low to moderate income borrowers
• Represents the company in various community development/outreach functions such as Homebuyer training classes, home buyer fairs, and other events
• Attends meetings sponsored by government and city municipalities that offer assistance to low to moderate income and first time homebuyers
• Keeps abreast of changes in federal and state banking regulations and ensures that changes are implemented in a timely fashion
• Specializes in Bond Programs, FHA loans, and down payment and closing cost assistance programs available to low to moderate income borrowers
• Performs other related job duties and special projects as assigned
• Incumbent is required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local banking and industry related laws and regulations including but not limited to the bank Secrecy Act
• Incumbent is responsible for organizational integrity and business ethics as it relates to this position, and communicating this commitment to any applicable subordinates
• Incumbent may have access to cash, customer accounts, and/or sensitive and confidential information
• Develops and maintains ongoing relationships with Non Profit Housing groups, realtors, and other community organizations that support First Time Homebuyers and low to moderate income borrowers
• Stays current with and ensures changes are implemented timely for Hancock Whitney's underwriting policy, investor guidelines, applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and changes in other aspects of the mortgage industry
• Takes a very complete application and collects all required documentation (such as income tax return, bank account number, purchase agreement, and property description, etc.) for verification
• Delivers all compliance documents and disclosures in a timely manner
• Prepares the borrower(s) for the process and keeps ALL of the parties involved in the process, up to date on all important developments and current status of application
• Informs applicant of closing costs such as appraisal, credit report, and notary fees
• Coordinates the closing with the borrower(s), closing agents, Realtors, and others involved in the transaction
• Develops and maintains referral networks of Bank associates and external referral sources such as Realtors, Builders, friends, family, and others in the community
• Interviews loan applicants to document income, debt, and credit history
• Determines if applicant meets establishment standards for further consideration
• Answers applicant's questions and asks for signature on information authorization forms
• Submits application forms to Mortgage Loan Processor for verification of application information
• Calls applicant or other persons to resolve discrepancies, such as credit report showing late payment history
• Informs applicant of loan denial or acceptance
• Manages a clean pipeline of loans in process coordinating with Processors, Underwriters, and Closers on a daily basis
• Keeps Bank associates up to date on changes in the industry and works as a team member with the other lines of business
• Keeps all compliance requirements up to date and maintains a working knowledge of the products and services provided by the other lines of business and Bank affiliates

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Required: Associate's degree and three months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Education preferred: Bachelor’s degree and two to four years related experience
• Experience preferred: Three years banking experience in community lending
• Will need to be registered with the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS)
• Anyone who takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan for compensation or gain must register with the NMLS as a Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO)
• To be registered, the MLO must pass a background check
• Failure to comply with registration and annual registration or not pass a criminal background check administered by NMLS will result in termination

ESSENTIAL MENTAL & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work under stress and meet deadlines
• Ability to operate related equipment to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to read and interpret a document if required to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to travel if required to perform the essential job functions
• Ability to lift/move/carry approximately 10 pounds if required to perform the essential job functions

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, physical or mental disability or history of disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, disabled veteran, or other protected characteristics as required by federal, state and local laws.

When you choose a career with Hancock Whitney (Nasdaq: HWC), we pledge a heartfelt promise: You can grow. You have a voice. You are important. You also share in a rich regional heritage and embrace core values—timeless ideals vital to our culture since the 1800s that inspire how we serve clients, communities, and each other: Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility.

A fast-growing organization consistently rated among America’s strongest, safest financial services institutions, our company is based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Our bank and subsidiaries provide contemporary, comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth financial products and services at regional headquarters and 200-plus financial centers across a vibrant Southeast corridor including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Each day, our nearly 4,000 associates carry on a mission to help people achieve their financial goals and dreams. We come to work to create opportunities for the people we serve in the communities we call home. Together, we continue building a company solidly focused on being better, going beyond, and doing more to secure success for the people and businesses depending on us. Let our legacy lead to your future.