Loan specialist Jobs in Buffalo, NY

Mortgage Loan Officer

The Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) is responsible for proactively generating new mortgage business and promoting Empower FCU's mortgage products to meet production and loan quality goals. The MLO will play a critical role in advancing Empower FCU's strategic objectives by providing exceptional service to both current and prospective borrowers. This includes guiding borrowers through the pre-qualification and pre-approval process, offering expert counseling, assisting with loan applications, and ensuring timely submission to underwriting. Additionally, the MLO will manage the issuance of required disclosure packages, gather necessary documentation, order required services, perform financial calculations, and route files for underwriting to facilitate timely commitment letter issuance, all while adhering to regulatory guidelines, including fair lending and TRID compliance.

This position is based in the Western NY region and is fully remote. Candidates should reside within the Western NY market, including the Buffalo metropolitan area and surrounding communities. While the role is primarily work-from-home, occasional local travel may be required to meet with clients, realtors, home builders, and other referral and business development partners. Candidates should be able to effectively support and maintain relationships throughout the Western NY region.

The draw range for this role is $58,691.36 - $88,037.04 annually, plus commission earnings. This position is compensated through a draw and commission structure. During the first six months of employment, the draw is guaranteed. Thereafter, the draw is reconciled against commissions earned in accordance with the commission plan. High-performing Mortgage Loan Officers have the opportunity to significantly increase total earnings through commission-based compensation.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• 40% Mortgage Advisor, Application & Document Review:
• Engage with applicants to understand their financial goals and offer tailored mortgage solutions.
• Advise on the home-buying process, recommend suitable mortgage options, and address questions regarding loan terms, closing, and post-closing.
• Review and evaluate mortgage documents to ensure they meet Empower FCU and regulatory standards.
• Complete mortgage applications, issue required disclosures and submit files for initial underwriting.
• Issue pre-qualification/pre-approval letters and perform rate lock procedures.
• Collect and analyze necessary documentation and perform financial calculations.
• Order required services such as flood zone certifications and appraisals.
• Submit loans to underwriting and ensure timely loan approvals.
• 20% Pipeline Management:
• Maintain a steady pipeline of loan applications, ensuring compliance with HMDA, TRID, and fair lending regulations.
• Communicate regularly with applicants to guide them through the loan process.
• Ensure timely credit decisions within 30 days of application submission.
• 20% Business Development & Relationship Building:
• Cultivate relationships with realtors, builders, and third-party partners to drive mortgage originations.
• Represent Empower FCU at community events and networking opportunities to enhance visibility and generate new business.
• 10% Sales Database Research & Compliance:
• Use sales database tools to identify loan opportunities and target potential applicants.
• Stay current on industry regulations to ensure compliance with legal standards.
• 10% Technology & Tools:
• Leverage proprietary lending software and tools to analyze credit, underwriting, and financial information to offer the best loan options.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Performance Measurements: See Dayforce (HRIS) Performance Management for Goals upon start in role, and annually.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience: 3 to 5 years of experience as a mortgage loan officer, including the ability to self-source business development by maintaining relationships with real estate agents, builders, attorneys and other centers of influence.
• Education: An associate's degree in business, Finance, or a related field. Licensing/Certificates: The candidate must be able to qualify and maintain licensing through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS).
• Additionally, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a clean driving record.
• Candidates with equivalent formal certifications or professional experience in mortgages, financial services, or related fields are also encouraged to apply. Empower FCU recognizes and values a variety of educational and professional backgrounds that contribute to success in this role
• Interpersonal Skills : Work involves extensive personal contact with others and is of a personal or sensitive nature. Motivating, influencing, and/or training others is key at this level. Outside contacts become important and fostering sound relationships with other entities (companies and/or individuals) becomes necessary and often requires the ability to influence and/or sell ideas or services to others.
• Other Skills:
• Proven ability to negotiate and close mortgage deals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Encompass, Nautilus, and SalesForce.
• Strong understanding of underwriting requirements and experience with various mortgage products.
• Ability to interpret credit reports, appraisals, and other financial documents.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods at a time, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This Job Description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising the position.

Empower Federal Credit Union is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic including race, religion, ethnicity, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, transgender status, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, marital status, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information/ predisposition or carrier status, status in the uniformed services of the United States (including veteran status) or any other basis protected by applicable national, federal, state, provincial or local law. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement reaffirms our commitment.