Lending Specialist - Community Mortgage

CIBC US; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Incentive pay

Benefits program

Paid time off

401(k)

MomentMakers recognition

Job summary

CIBC in Chicago is seeking a Lending Specialist – Community Mortgage to provide underwriting and credit analysis support for loan applications. You will review borrower information, assess risk, and help ensure files meet internal standards and regulatory requirements, partnering with lending teams to structure credit solutions.

The role emphasizes analytical thinking, prudent lending, and collaboration with partners.

Qualifications

• Underwriting and credit analysis experience in mortgage or community lending.
• Ability to review financial statements, tax returns, and credit reports.
• Familiarity with FHA guidelines and down payment assistance programs.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Review loan applications and supporting documentation to assess borrower capacity and credit risk.
• Identify missing documentation and conditions; prepare clear credit summaries and recommendations.
• Ensure files meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with lending partners to structure credit solutions balancing risk and community objectives.
• Maintain underwriting notes and communicate decisions clearly; assist with process improvement.

Skills

Credit Analysis

Underwriting

Credit Decisions

Client Service

Mortgage Lending

Lending Policies

Community Connections

Financial Analysis

Loan Applications

Customer Experience

Job description

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients.

At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com

What You'll Be Doing

As a Lending Specialist - Community Mortgage, you’ll provide underwriting and credit analysis support to lending partners as they evaluate, structure, and process loan applications. You’ll review borrower information and supporting documentation, assess credit risk, and help identify eligibility, policy, and documentation requirements. You’ll also prepare clear underwriting summaries and recommendations, support timely credit decisions, and help ensure each file meets internal standards and regulatory expectations. This role is well suited to someone who brings strong analytical thinking, sound judgment, and a commitment to prudent lending that supports community objectives.

At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. Details on your work arrangement (proportion of on-site and remote work) will be discussed at the time of your interview.

How You'll Succeed

• Credit Analysis - Review loan applications, financial information, credit reports, tax returns, collateral details, and supporting documentation to assess borrower capacity, repayment ability, and overall credit risk.
• Underwriting Support - Identify missing documentation, underwriting conditions, and policy or eligibility concerns, and prepare clear credit summaries and recommendations for approval or further review.
• File Quality and Compliance - Help ensure files are complete, accurate, and aligned with internal lending standards, regulatory requirements, and applicable program criteria.
• Partnership - Work closely with lending partners and internal stakeholders to structure credit solutions that balance sound risk management with community lending objectives.
• Process Management - Maintain accurate underwriting notes and system updates, communicate decisions and outstanding items clearly, and elevate complex or exception-based requests when needed.
• Continuous Improvement - Contribute to process improvements that enhance consistency, efficiency, and service delivery across underwriting support activities.

Who You Are

• You have relevant underwriting experience. You bring experience in underwriting, credit analysis, mortgage lending, community development finance, small business lending, or commercial lending. A background supporting specialized lending teams is an asset.
• You know how to assess credit risk. You have strong knowledge of lending principles, financial analysis, and credit risk assessment, with the ability to review financial statements, tax returns, cash flow, credit reports, and borrower documentation.
• You bring specialized mortgage knowledge. You have deep knowledge of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines and experience working with grants and down payment assistance programs.
• You understand community-focused lending. Familiarity with community development programs, affordable lending initiatives, mission-based credit products, or Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) related lending is preferred.
• You're organized and detail-oriented. You can manage multiple files at once while maintaining a high standard of accuracy, documentation quality, and follow-through.
• Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work, and you live our values - trust, teamwork, and accountability.

California residents - your privacy rights regarding your actual or prospective employment

At CIBC, we offer a competitive total rewards package. This role has an expected salary range of $85,000 - $110,000 for the Chicago, IL market based on experience, qualifications, and location of the position. The successful candidate may be eligible to participate in the relevant business unit’s incentive compensation plan, which also may include a discretionary bonus component. CIBC offers a full range of benefits and programs to meet our employee’s needs; including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability, and Other Insurance Plans, Paid Time Off (including Sick Leave, Parental Leave, and Vacation), Holidays, and 401(k), in addition to other special perks reserved for our team members.

What CIBC Offers

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential. We aspire to give you a career, rather than just a paycheck.

• We work to recognize you in meaningful, personalized ways including a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, a benefits program*, a vacation offering, wellbeing support, and MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.
• Our spaces and technological toolkit will make it simple to bring together great minds to create innovative solutions that make a difference for our clients.
• We cultivate a culture where you can express your ambition through initiatives like Purpose Day; a paid day off dedicated for you to use to invest in your growth and development.
• Subject to plan and program terms and conditions

What You Need To Know

• CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact [e-mail]
• You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit.
• We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills tests (such as simulation, coding, MS Office). Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

Job Location

IL-Chicago, 120 S LaSalle St Fl 2

Employment Type

Regular

Weekly Hours

40

Skills

Client Service, Community Connections, Credit Analysis, Credit Decisions, Credit Policies, Customer Experience (CX), Lending, Loan, Loan Applications, Mortgage Lending