Loan Operations Analyst

Western State Bank; West Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus opportunity

ESOP

401(k)

Benefits package

Paid time off

Professional development

Banking benefits

Job summary

Western State Bank is seeking a Loan Operations Analyst to strengthen the processes, systems, and controls behind our lending operations. You’ll analyze how work gets done, identify opportunities for improvement, and partner with teams across the organization to drive efficiency and control.

You’ll balance analysis, problem-solving, accuracy, and collaboration as you review loan operations, support compliance activities, document workflows, assist with audits, and participate in system testing

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• An associate degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field plus at least 3 years of related experience, or at least 5 years of directly related experience.
• Experience in loan operations, loan servicing, collateral perfection, lending support, compliance support, or financial services operations.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Ability to learn and work with banking systems, reporting tools, spreadsheets, workflow tools, and other technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with internal partners.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing loan operations processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and consistency.
• Supporting compliance-related activities and reporting, including HMDA, CRA, FHLB, and other assigned requirements.
• Creating and improving procedures, job aids, checklists, and workflow documentation.
• Analyzing reports, trends, processes, and operational issues to help identify practical solutions.
• Supporting audit and regulatory exam readiness, including documentation, issue tracking, and follow-up.
• Partnering with Loan Operations, Compliance, Risk, Audit, lending teams, Business Systems, and other internal teams.
• Participating in system testing, process changes, implementation projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-training on critical Loan Servicing and Collateral Perfection functions to help provide dependable backup coverage.
• Researching operational questions and helping internal partners navigate loan operations processes.

Skills

Loan operations

Compliance support

Data analysis

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Documentation

Banking systems

Education

Associate degree in business/finance/accounting or related field

High school diploma or equivalent

5+ years related experience

Tools

Navigator

Sageworks

LaserPro

Smartsheet

Quietrack

Job description

Are you someone who sees a process and immediately starts thinking about how it could work better? Do you enjoy digging into details, solving problems, and helping teams operate more efficiently?

Western is looking for a Loan Operations Analyst to join our team and help strengthen the processes, systems, and controls behind our lending operations. You'll have the opportunity to analyze how work gets done, identify opportunities for improvement, support important compliance and audit activities, contribute to system and process changes, and partner with teams across the organization.

If you have a strong loan operations background and enjoy combining analysis, problem-solving, accuracy, and collaboration, this could be a great next step.

What You’ll Do

As a Loan Operations Analyst, you'll help make our loan operations more efficient, consistent, and scalable. You'll work across a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Reviewing loan operations processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, controls, and consistency.
• Supporting compliance-related activities and reporting, including HMDA, CRA, FHLB, and other assigned requirements.
• Creating and improving procedures, job aids, checklists, and workflow documentation.
• Analyzing reports, trends, processes, and operational issues to help identify practical solutions.
• Supporting audit and regulatory exam readiness, including documentation, issue tracking, and follow-up.
• Partnering with Loan Operations, Compliance, Risk, Audit, lending teams, Business Systems, and other internal teams.
• Participating in system testing, process changes, implementation projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cross-training on critical Loan Servicing and Collateral Perfection functions to help provide dependable backup coverage.
• Researching operational questions and helping internal partners navigate loan operations processes.

What Makes This Role Different

You'll see the bigger picture.

You’ll work across multiple areas of Loan Operations rather than focusing on just one piece of the process.

You'll Help Improve How We Work.

We want someone who can spot gaps, ask thoughtful questions, and help turn complicated processes into clear, repeatable workflows.

You'll have a voice in change.

From system testing and process improvements to new regulatory requirements and operational projects, you'll help shape how Loan Operations evolves as Western grows.

You'll build strong partnerships.

You’ll collaborate with teams across the organization and become a trusted resource for operational questions, processes, and problem-solving.

What We’re Looking For

You'll be a strong fit if you're organized, analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing multiple priorities in a regulated environment.

Required Qualifications Include

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• An associate degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field plus at least 3 years of related experience, or at least 5 years of directly related experience.
• Experience in areas such as loan operations, loan servicing, collateral perfection, lending support, compliance support, or financial services operations.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Ability to learn and work with banking systems, reporting tools, spreadsheets, workflow tools, and other technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with internal partners.

Even Better If You Have

• 7+ years of experience in loan operations, servicing, lending support, bank operations, or another regulated financial services environment.
• Experience with commercial, agricultural, or retail lending operations.
• Familiarity with HMDA, CRA, FHLB, audits, FDIC exams, or other compliance-related reporting.
• Experience with systems such as Navigator, Sageworks, LaserPro, Smartsheet, Quietrack, or similar banking and workflow platforms.
• Experience writing procedures, improving processes, testing system changes, or supporting implementation projects.
• Community banking experience.

You'll Thrive Here If You...

• Naturally look for ways to make processes better.
• Enjoy solving problems and digging into the details.
• Take ownership and follow through on commitments.
• Know when to work independently and when to ask questions or elevate an issue.
• Communicate clearly and enjoy partnering with different teams.
• Can balance accuracy and compliance with practical, efficient solutions.
• Are curious and willing to learn new systems, processes, and areas of the business.

Why Western?

At Western, we’re focused on providing reliable, responsive service while building processes that can grow with our organization. You’ll join a team that values service, ownership, accountability, teamwork, respect, accuracy, and sound judgment.

We also offer a competitive total rewards package that may include:

• Competitive base salary based on experience, skills, internal equity, and market location
• 5% discretionary annual bonus opportunity
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) and company contributions
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employee assistance and wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Banking benefits and additional team member programs