Lending Specialist

Valley Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Bank in Chicago seeks a Lending Specialist to assist borrowers and lenders through the loan process, from documentation to closing and ongoing servicing.

The role emphasizes accuracy, strong interpersonal skills, and collaboration with Relationship Managers and operations to ensure timely closings and compliant funding.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 0–3 years Lending Assistant or Loan Processor experience preferred.
• Strong customer service and communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison with customers and stakeholders from approval to closing.
• Manage deal flow with Relationship Managers to ensure timely closings.
• Coordinate closing documents and support due diligence and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with transaction processing, issue escalation, and proper documentation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

MS Office

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

Bank core system

nCino

Job description

At Valley Bank, we believe in people's growth potential. We invest in it. We protect it. We focus it. For nearly 100 years, we've been the Bank that clients from every industry turn to for our expertise, strategies, and advice--building the kind of trust that can fuel every goal. We are the leading relationship bank built for growth--with over $60 billion in assets, 3,800 experts, and more than 200 consumer branches and commercial banking offices in communities across the US.

At Valley, we're all driven by an ambition that goes deeper than just having a job. That's why when you work for us, we make it our goal to help you focus on what drives you--working to turn your passions and strengths into assets you can use to propel your ambitions and build the professional legacy you want. Because when we say we're a relationship bank built for growth, that's not just reserved for our clients--that includes all our associates as well.

The Lending Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient processing of loans, working with borrowers and lenders to facilitate the loan process. This role is responsible for organizing the loan documentation, processing, closing and monitoring while providing quality service and diplomacy to customer relationships.

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Act as the liaison and primary point of contact with internal and external customers/stakeholders from approval to deal closing, as well as being point of contact for questions, requests, and inquiries during life of loan monitoring/servicing.
• Manage deal flow pipeline with Relationship Managers and leading the interaction with internal downstream stakeholders to ensure timely closings.
• Coordinate and review closing documentation (with counsel or internal doc prep) and information with relevant stakeholders for due diligence, application processing, insurance, operational feasibility, optimal execution mechanics, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with the execution and process flow of the transaction, including escalation of issues and designing solutions that ensure risks are covered through adequate controls and protections. Order necessary documents to complete the file and prepare supplemental documents when necessary.
• Partner with relevant operations teams (closing and servicing departments) to ensure proper booking, accrual reconciliations, and daily cash positions.
• Ensure initial loan funding (if there is a draw at close) and ongoing life of loan activity (payments, draws, payoffs, etc.) are properly processed and booked with downstream stakeholders.
• Carefully review loan documents for closing to ensure accuracy; close loans when necessary.
• Communicate with Lenders any issues that arise prior to closing.

Required Skills

• Excellent Interpersonal skills as well as verbal and written communication skills.
• Confident in ability to enforce policies, procedures and processes when/if challenged. Strong PC skills using Microsoft office applications as well as Bank's core system and nCino software.
• Highly proficient in all areas of customer service, organizational skills, data input, time management and handling multiple tasks simultaneously within a high volume, strict deadline work environment.

Required Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent; up to 3 years Lending Assistant or Loan Processor experience.

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of Commercial Real Estate and C&I loan documentation.