External Mortgage Originator

Ascend Bank; Old Saybrook (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Bank seeks a Residential Mortgage Lending professional to solicit and cultivate relationships with real estate agents, builders, and community contacts to generate loan applications and referrals. You will interview applicants, collect complete details, and coordinate with Mortgage Processing to close loans efficiently.

The role requires strong sales skills, knowledge of lending programs, and adherence to all regulatory and compliance requirements, including HMDA.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of bank lending experience.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Two-year college degree or completion of a specialized course of study at a business or trade school.
• Strong selling and sales organization experience.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and implements ongoing sales call program to develop relationships with realtors, builders, lawyers, accountants and business owners for mortgage referrals.
• Interview applicants, take complete applications and set expectations regarding the loan process.
• Communicate loan terms clearly and provide follow-up support to clients.
• Prepare residential loan packages and ensure compliance with bank standards.
• Utilize pipeline management to track and manage loans daily.
• Educate and inform borrowers on loan options and conditions.

Skills

Sales

Relationship building

Customer service

Credit evaluation

Data analysis

Education

Two-year college degree

Tools

Pipeline management

Job description

Solicits residential loan applications by calling on and maintaining contacts with real estate agents/brokers and residential real estate builders/developers, contacting potential applications, and being active and visible in the community. Interviews residential real estate loan applicants, completes applications, forwards to Mortgage Processing and works with processing team to close loan in timely manner. Ensures exceptional client service by maintaining thorough knowledge of lending programs, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements, demonstrating a commitment to professional ethics, complying with all Federal and State compliance policies and adhering to HMDA requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Primary: Establishes and implements on-going sales call program directed toward developing relationships with realtors, builders, lawyers, accountant and business owners to ensure a continuous reference source for mortgages and loans.
• Handles inquiries from applicants and bank personnel, interview potential clients, take a complete application and set proper expectations with client (incl. referral source) regarding loan application process.
• Maintain high level of client service by clearly communicating terms of loan options, follow up, and availability to answer questions
• Compiles and analyzes data for residential real estate loan requests.
• Evaluates loan applications and documentations for credit worthiness
• Outlines loan terms and conditions and informs the borrower of loan commitments.
• Prepares residential loan packages in accordance with bank standards.
• Effectively utilize Pipeline management to properly track and effectively manage loans on a daily basis.
• Keeps management apprised of competitive product, pricing and marketing activities.
• Makes recommendations to the Residential Mortgage and Consumer Loan Manager to update or add to residential loan products, terms and conditions on a case-by-case basis.
• Conducts meetings and seminars with realtors and other groups with the aim of cultivating relationships
• Takes part in the planning and presentation of seminars pertinent to existing and potential Bank clients, i.e. First Time Homebuyers Program.
• Participates in civic functions in the Bank’s assessment area to create community awareness about the bank.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Completes all required compliance training as assigned in a timely manner

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY:

• Empower & Support:Prioritize employees' growth by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for success.
• Lead with Integrity:Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and ethical decision-making.
• Encourage Collaboration:Fostering an environment that leverages collaboration, innovation, and accountability to achieve strategic goals

The ability to use data, information, and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills

• Information, data, and content
• Teaching learning and self-development
• Communication, collaboration, and participation
• Digital identity, safety, and security
• Technical proficiency with all bank products
• Awareness and interest in new technology
• Creation, innovation, and research

BASIC KNOWLEDGE & TRAINING REQUIRED FOR MAXIMUM PROFICIENCY:

Work requires knowledge of a specialized field, and extensive knowledge of the bank’s policies and procedures, as well as general banking knowledge. Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.

EXPERIENCE:Three years to five years of similar or related bank lending experience, with strong selling and sales organization experience.

EDUCATION:A two-year college degree or completion of a specialized course of study at a business or trade school.

*Compensation:Compensation is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Ascend Bank is an equal opportunity employer and offers equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, and veteran status.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process should notify Human Resources.