External Residential Mortgage Loan Originator

Cogent Bank; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The External Residential Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) at Cogent Bank is responsible for soliciting and originating residential mortgage loans from sources outside the Bank, leveraging existing relationships across Florida and beyond.

The role prioritizes high-quality customer service, loan quality, and regulatory compliance. A proven production record, strong communication, and a robust referral network are essential to drive business growth for Cogent Bank.

Qualifications

• Active NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator license or ability to obtain.
• Minimum two years of mortgage origination experience with own referral network.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding production goals.
• Superior sales skills combined with a service mentality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to thrive in fast paced environment.
• Encompass knowledge preferred.
• Optimal Blue knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attract new mortgage loan applications through existing relationships with realtors, builders, investment advisors, and other referral partners.
• Regularly visit referral partners and centers of influence, marketing Cogent Bank’s mortgage products and explaining risks and benefits.
• Interview prospective customers to understand needs and explain mortgage products and terms.
• Obtain data and evaluate financial status to establish recommendations for loan approval.
• Communicate loan status and underwriting conditions to customers and schedule closings.
• Maintain knowledge of lending regulations, guidelines, economy, and competitors.
• Conduct business professionally to enhance the Bank’s goodwill.
• Ensure BSA/AML/OFAC compliance and complete related training.
• Perform all other duties as directed by management.

Skills

NMLS license

Mortgage origination

Referral network

Sales skills

Communication skills

Fast-paced

Encompass knowledge

Optimal Blue knowledge

Job description

Description

Job Summary

The External Residential Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) is responsible for soliciting and originating Residential mortgage loans from sources outside the Bank while ensuring high-quality customer service and loan quality. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of loan origination, business development, and relationship management in their local market through existing referral partners and centers of influence. Positions available throughout Florida and/or other United States markets for qualified candidates.

About Us

At Cogent Bank, we are entrepreneurial by design. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent in the markets we serve. Our vision is to become a top-performing diversified and comprehensive financial provider in terms of growth, profit, risk management, and value by becoming a trusted financial partner to our clients.

Requirements

Responsibilities and Duties

• Attract new mortgage loan applications through existing relationships, specifically with realtors, builders, investment advisors, other referral partners and centers of influence.
• Regularly make sales visits to referral partners and centers of influence, marketing the Bank’s mortgage loan products and services accurately and effectively, including explanation of risks and benefits.
• Interview prospective customers to understand their needs and explain mortgage products and terms.
• Obtain relevant information (data and documents) and evaluate prospective customers’ financial status, including credit, employment, income, assets, and appraisal report(s), to establish recommendation for loan approval.
• Consistently communicate with prospective customers, including status of loan applications, answering questions, explanation of underwriting conditions including additional documentation needed and scheduling of closing.
• Maintain current knowledge of all applicable lending regulations, agency, government and investor guidelines along with the economy, interest rate environment, vendors, and competitors.
• Conduct all business in a professional and ethical manner to serve customers and increase the goodwill of the Bank.
• Ensure BSA compliance by reading and being familiar with the BSA/AML program/policy; following all BSA/AML/OFAC policies and procedures; and completing all BSA/AML/OFAC related online courses.
• All other tasks, responsibilities, or duties, as directed by management.

Qualifications and Skills

• Active NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator License or ability to attain is required.
• Minimum two years of mortgage origination experience with own referral network.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding production goals.
• Superior sales skills combined with a service mentality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to thrive in fast paced environment.
• Encompass knowledge preferred.
• Optimal Blue knowledge preferred.