Poultry Lending Officer - Remote in AR

Southern Bancorp; Arkansas; Remote; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused financial institution in Arkansas is seeking a Lending Officer to develop and expand agriculture and small business loans. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and at least three years of experience in agriculture lending, alongside strong analytical and interpersonal skills. This role offers benefits including no deductible medical insurance and a 401(k) plan with an employer match.

Benefits

No deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays and time off

Bonus plan

Qualifications

• Must have at least three years of experience in agriculture lending or sales.
• Valid driver's license and maintained vehicle insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of agricultural loan accounts.
• Analyze loan applications to assess feasibility and risk.
• Audit loan files for compliance.
• Service existing loans and counsel customers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Client service skills

Team-oriented

Customer service skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in business, agricultural business, finance

Job description

Who We Are

Southern Bancorp is a different kind of bank. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a special certification designated for institutions that serve predominantly underserved communities, Southern Bancorp combines traditional banking and lending services with financial development tools and public policy advocacy to help families and communities grow stronger. Inspired by the principle that building net worth drives economic opportunity, our mission is to be wealth builders for everyone in the communities we serve, with a focus on low-wealth and un(der)banked populations, as well as an emphasis on Black and Brown individuals.

Job Summary

The Lending Officer is responsible for developing and expanding agriculture and small business loans, both directly and indirectly. This role evaluates loan feasibility, streamlines the loan processing workflow, and oversees the loan closing process. Additionally, the Lending Officer ensures compliance with company policies and guaranteed loan programs, including SBA and FSA underwriting guidelines (when applicable). Staying informed on agricultural and small business lending trends is also a key aspect of this position.

This position services SW Arkansas, SE Oklahoma, E Texas and N Louisiana.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a portfolio of agricultural loan accounts.
• Analyze loan applications to assess feasibility and risk.
• Audit loan files to ensure compliance with internal and external guidelines.
• Service existing loans and counsel customers to reduce delinquencies and increase loan volume.
• Coordinate the loan closing process and assist with loan servicing.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• At least three years of experience in agriculture lending or sales.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Strong client service and interpersonal skills for working with internal and external clients.
• Team-oriented, with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Effective customer service and collections skills, requiring assertiveness and discretion.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain appropriate vehicle insurance.
• Ability to travel within the market area for meetings and appointments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, agricultural business, finance, or a related field.

Physical & Sensory Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What we offer our employees

Benefits to improve your health:

• No deductible medical insurance plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts

A positive impact on Your Future:

• 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6%
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Discounted rate on primary home mortgage
• Credit and housing counseling as well as free financial education tools available to customers and employees

The opportunity to nurture your well-being:

• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Bonus plan
• Opportunity for merit raises
• Employee reward and recognition programs
• Community service opportunities

Equal Opportunity Statement

Southern Bancorp is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As a Community Development Financial Institution, Southern Bancorp desires its workforce to reflect the diversity of the customers and communities that we serve. Racial and ethnic minorities, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people are often underrepresented in many financial service industry professions. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.