Director of Lending

Meritus Credit Union; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Meritus Credit Union in Lafayette, LA seeks an experienced Lending Manager to lead consumer and mortgage loan operations, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations and profitability for members.

You will oversee underwriting decisions, staff development, and collaborations with senior management to expand lending programs and manage risk in a dynamic financial environment.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a college degree (BS or BA in a relevant field).
• Five to seven years mortgage experience; two+ years consumer lending in a financial institution.
• Strong understanding of underwriting guidelines and policies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory issues, risks, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Ensure loan policies and documentation meet federal and state regulations.
• Oversee origination and approval of residential mortgage loans.
• Oversee sale of residential mortgage loans on the secondary market.
• Develop plans to expand lending programs and keep abreast of industry changes.
• Provide mentoring and coaching to lending staff.
• Prepare ad-hoc credit risk reports for senior management.

Skills

Mortgage underwriting

Consumer lending

Regulatory compliance

Analytical ability

Verbal and written communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

Meridian Link

Calyx

Crystal Reports

Excel Pivot Tables

SQL databases

Job description

Salary: Commensurate with experience & qualifications

SUMMARY:

Responsible for the credit union's administrative management of consumer and mortgage loan functions. Develop and implement consistent organizational policies and procedures that comply with external regulations. Support and lead credit union lending departments. Ensure maximum profitability of lending activities that are also in the best interest of the member.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• Equivalent to a college degree (BS or BA in a relevant field).

Experience and Other Requirements:

• Five years to seven years of mortgage experience, two or more years experience in consumer lending in financial institution, or credit union. Central underwriting/risk management or related field.
• Strong understanding of consumer and mortgage underwriting guidelines and policies.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of regulatory issues, financial and credit risk management, and internal controls in a financial institution setting.
• Excellent analytical ability and ability to conduct thorough research, interpret and understand laws and regulations, and provide workable recommendations and solutions to problems.
• Knowledge of credit union operations or financial institutions preferred.
• Must possess the ability to handle multiple, conflicting deadlines.
• Must possess the ability to interact positively with all levels of the organization, including Management, the Board, other Volunteers, coworkers, and the public to promote a team effort and maintain a positive attitude.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure that loan policies, procedures, services, products, and documentation meet federal and state regulations.
• Establish and ensure the implementation of target goals for the department. Communicate credit union goals and direction with all loan employees to ensure clear understanding of rules, regulations, requirements, and expectations. Oversee the development and monitoring of performance standards. Provide mentoring, coaching, or training to support and develop staff.
• Create the budget for department and track on an ongoing basis for adherence. Understand the credit union's assets, liabilities, and financial objectives.
• Responsible for the oversight of origination and approval of all residential mortgage loans in accordance with established goals and standards for the department.
• Responsible for the oversight of the sale of residential mortgage loans on the secondary market.
• Research and evaluate feasibility of new lending products. Develop and implement plans for expansion of lending programs. Keep abreast of changes in the industry and changing trends in lending and react to changes in a way that maintains competitiveness.
• Work with V.P. of Lending, staff, and members on complex issues to prevent loss to the credit union and support the membership.
• Represent and promote the credit union at external functions.
• Maintain a highly motivated, well-trained staff, maintaining effective employee relations.
• Underwrites (Decisions; Approval, Deny and/or Counteroffer) both consumer and mortgage loans within defined lending authority.
• Reviews and directs others in the analysis of information found in tax returns, credit data and financial statements to evaluate consumer loan requests in order to approve or deny applications.
• Provides training, guidance, coaching, and support to foster cooperative working relationships with Underwriters, MSRs and Call Center Representatives.
• Foster strong partnerships throughout the organization to support lending initiatives, drive process improvements, resolve complex issues, and achieve strategic objectives.
• Supports achieving or exceeding Credit Union Asset Quality and Profitability Goals by ensuring loans underwritten by the Underwriters adhere to loan policy and approved pricing guidelines.
• Works with senior management to produce ad-hoc credit risk related reports and charts.
• Maintains adequate documentation of reports produced and sources of data to meet the requirements of auditors and examiners.
• Responsible for compliance with all Federal regulations including Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
• Ensure compliance with all applicable consumer and mortgage lending laws, regulations, investor requirements, and internal policies, including but not limited to Fair Lending, ECOA, HMDA, TRID, RESPA, TILA, and related regulatory requirements.
• Works closely with other department management personnel to ensure that risks at all levels are minimal.
• Any other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees the hiring, setting of performance standards, training, and writing/conducting performance reviews within the position's areas of responsibility.

Interpersonal Skills

• Courtesy, tact, and diplomacy are essential elements of the job. Work involves much personal contact with others inside and/or outside the organization for purposes of giving or obtaining information, building relationships, or soliciting cooperation.
• Exceptional Relationship building skills.
• Proven success managing a team through an organizational change.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, coaching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate and drive high level strategic thinking into strategic and tactical actions/initiatives/results across the organization.

Computer Skills:

• Extensive use of personal PC required with proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Meridian Link, Calyx, Crystal Reports, Excel Pivot Tables,, Report Analytics, and SQL databases
• Must be proficient using e-mail and the internet.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Notary Public commission preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch; and lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.