Loan Operations Specialist

BankIowa; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

BankIowa is seeking a Loan Operations Specialist to provide comprehensive operational support across lending areas. You will book, maintain, and verify loan data in core systems, supporting data governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and financial reporting.

The role requires strong attention to detail, data accuracy, and the ability to work independently and with teams. Travel or remote flexibility is not specified; the position is office-based in Iowa.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred; relevant experience acceptable.
• Prior loan operations or financial services experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

Responsibilities

• Accurately book and maintain loan data in core and supporting systems.
• Ensure loan terms, collateral, borrower information, rates, and servicing details are entered correctly.
• Verification and quality control reviews to confirm data accuracy.
• Maintain audit-ready records supporting data governance and reporting.
• Support compliance with applicable lending laws and regulations.
• Assist with audits, examinations, and regulatory reporting.
• Process servicing changes, advances, payoffs, and account maintenance for all loan types.
• Support collateral, insurance, escrow, and tracking requirements.
• Generate notices, correspondence, and reports.
• Image, retain, and release loan documentation.
• Collaborate with lending staff and external partners; cross-train.

Skills

Data accuracy

Attention to detail

Communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Independence

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Professionalism

Ethical conduct

Education

Associate degree

Job description

This position will be located at our Independence office.

Position Summary

The Loan Operations Specialist provides comprehensive operational support across all lending areas of the bank. This role is responsible for the accurate booking, maintenance, and verification of loan data and documentation within the bank's core and ancillary systems to support data governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and financial reporting. The Loan Operations Specialist serves as a key control function by performing detailed data entry, verification, and quality control throughout the loan lifecycle. This position requires a strong understanding of loan products and the recognition that each loan represents a legal document and binding agreement between the bank and the borrower.

Primary Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Loan Booking, Data Entry & Data Governance

• Accurately book and maintain loan data in the bank's core and supporting systems.
• Ensure loan terms, collateral, borrower information, rates, and servicing details are entered completely and correctly.
• verification and quality control reviews to confirm data accuracy and consistency.
• Maintain audit-ready records supporting data governance and reporting.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Support compliance with applicable federal and state lending laws and regulations.
• Understand the legal and regulatory significance of loan documentation.
• Assist with audits, examinations, and regulatory reporting.
• Identify and resolve or escalated data and documentation exceptions.

Loan Servicing & Operational Support

• Process servicing changes, advances, payoffs, and account maintenance, for all loan types and loan programs.
• Support collateral, insurance, escrow, and tracking requirements.
• Generate notices, correspondence, and reports.
• Image, retain, and release loan documentation.

Support of Lending Staff & Collaboration

• Support all lending staff to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant loan processing.
• Communicate effectively with internal departments and external partners, including clients and other financial institutions and bank vendors.
• Take ownership of in cross-training and shared responsibilities.

Process Improvement & Technology Utilization

• Use bank systems effectively to support accuracy and efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and strengthen controls.
• Adapt to changes in products, regulations, and technology.

Other Duties as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge

• Associate degree preferred; relevant experience acceptable.
• Prior experience in loan operations, lending support, or financial services preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

Physical Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performance of the job will include physical duties commensurate with a general office environment.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten pounds.