Lending/Loan Operations

Opportunity Finance Network; Norfolk (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridging Virginia, a key part of the Capital Access Hub, seeks a CAM to help originate and process loans for small businesses in Hampton Roads and beyond. You will review applications, assess readiness, and coordinate with partner agencies to provide coaching and technical assistance.

You'll work to ensure timely closings, manage relationships from origination to servicing, and engage in community outreach to expand access to capital for people of color and women in underserved areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or 2–3 years directly related work experience required.
• Experience with federal/state lending programs a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, bilingual in Spanish a plus.
• Strong financial analysis, time management, and detail orientation.

Responsibilities

• Manage borrower experience and referrals for loan applications.
• Assess capital readiness and coordinate with partner agencies for coaching.
• Respond to loan inquiries and screen transactions for alignment with lending strategies.
• Originate and package loans; submit to underwriters for consideration.
• Present loans to approval authorities and ensure timely closing and disbursement.
• Manage loan relationships from origination through servicing and post-closing items.
• Conduct monthly outreach and support marketing in underserved communities.
• Support portfolio management and post-loan assistance with site visits.
• Collaborate with partners to grow the lending network and resources.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Bilingual Spanish

Independent / strategic thinker

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

2–3 years related work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

LenderFit

Salesforce

Job description

Bridging Virginia was formed in 2020 as a volunteer effort to support Black, women, minority-owned small businesses which had been disproportionately hurt by the economic impact of COVID-19. Soon after starting, the team recognized a more permanent need for access to affordable capital and services for small businesses in historically marginalized communities. In 2021, the nonprofit was formed to bring patient and risk-tolerant capital tools to the community.

Summary

The CAM, a significant part of the Capital Access Hub, is responsible for making referrals and assisting with originating and processing loan applications for small business and community development borrowers while emphasizing Care, Collaboration, and Capital throughout the process. The marketing and outreach efforts will be in underserved communities in Hampton Roads and, if need be, the Richmond and surrounding areas. A primary focus will be communities that include people of color, low-to-moderate income individuals, and women. The Capital Access Hub is a collaboration between The Metropolitan Business League and Bridging Virginia. The Hub aims to close the capital access gap for historically marginalized and underinvested small businesses through a combination of early-stage capacity building, technical assistance for capital access, and network growth.

Responsibilities

Manage Borrower Experience

• Review new applications daily via email and website, assess which ones are ready to be reviewed by or the Capital Access Hub
• Assess the clients’ capital readiness and work with partner agencies to ensure that clients receive necessary technical assistance and business coaching when appropriate
• Respond to loan inquiries and screen potential loan transactions to ensure alignment with various lending strategies, credit guidelines and loan products/programs availability
• Originate/package loans in accordance with lending policies. Submit loans to underwriters.
• Present loans to the appropriate approval authority for decisioning
• Ensure that loans are closed and disbursed in an efficient and timely manner
• Manage the loan relationship from origination through closing and servicing the request
• Review and collect post-closing items in a timely manner
• Manage a portfolio of existing small business loan portfolio
• Follow up with marketing and engagement plans with small business clients as applicable

Repayment and Extended Care Plan

• Implement repayment strategy throughout the pipeline to ensure responsive, motivated, and entrepreneurs throughout the pipeline
• Ensure borrowers are supported to make timely repayments for loans
• Assist in portfolio management by offering post-loan assistance to all borrowers; including site visits and regular check-ins, if applicable.
• Work with clients whose loans are past due and/or their business is showing signs of trouble
• Conduct routine monthly outreach and reminders to default-eligible borrowers

Partnership & Community Development

• Cultivate a community of economic development and small business lending; log a network of resources and stakeholders
• Host or support workshops/convenings to educate borrowers on capital access and ecosystem resources
• Plan and develop skill building group training that provides small business owners with the business tools needed to be successful
• Coordinate, schedule, and plan presentations as they arise
• Respond to informational inquiries about capital from prospective partners within the market
• Promote technical assistance and small business advancement opportunities among partner networks
• Cultivate lending community made up of individuals, local philanthropies, and corporate lenders to support local businesses

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or 2-3 years of directly related work experience required. Commercial and Industrial lending, Small Business lending, or nonprofit lending experience is a plus.
• Experience in federal and/or state lending programs, such as the CDFI Fund, U.S. Small Business Administration and VSBFA is a plus
• Experience in nonprofit or small office environments a plus
• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written; bilingual in Spanish a plus
• Strong financial analysis skills, time management, and organizational skills, with a high level of attention to detail
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals and organizations, including but not limited to, residents, community development organizations, public agencies, private developers, funders, and lenders
• Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Clear ability to take initiative and think strategically
• Capacity to work independently with minimum supervision
• A strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Flexibility in addressing the diverse demands of a fast-paced, dynamic organization
• Ability to travel to Richmond MSA for meetings, training and other outreach
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.), LenderFit and Salesforce is a strong preference