Senior Mortgage Loan Officer

Job Description

First American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida. As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $8+ billion. We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy. Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century. First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations.

The Senior Mortgage Loan Officer originates residential mortgage loans while leveraging an established book of business and cultivating strategic relationships with customers, referral partners, and community organizations to drive business growth. This position serves as a trusted advisor and mortgage lending expert, delivering tailored financing solutions that help customers achieve their financial and homeownership goals. As a highly relationship-driven role, the Senior Mortgage Loan Officer spends the majority of their time in the field developing new business opportunities, expanding First American Bank's presence within the communities it serves, and supporting the growth and success of Mortgage Loan Officers and other lending professionals through mentorship, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently originate residential mortgage loans by interviewing applicants, taking loan applications, conducting preliminary underwriting reviews, and submitting complete loan packages to processing and underwriting for approval.
• Conduct comprehensive consultations with prospective and existing customers to assess their financial circumstances, homeownership goals, borrowing needs, income, assets, liabilities, and credit history to identify appropriate lending solutions.
• Recommend mortgage products and lending strategies that align with customer objectives while providing guidance throughout the mortgage application, underwriting, and closing process.
• Maintain and expand an established book of business by leveraging existing customer relationships, referral partnerships, and professional networks to drive mortgage production and business growth.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with referral sources, including real estate professionals, builders, attorneys, financial advisors, and other community and industry partners to generate new business opportunities and increase mortgage production.
• Develop and execute a business development strategy for an assigned territory to acquire new customers, deepen existing relationships, expand referral partnerships, and achieve established sales goals.
• Serve as a trusted resource and subject matter expert by providing guidance related to mortgage products, underwriting requirements, industry best practices, and complex lending scenarios.
• Mentor, coach, train, and support Mortgage Loan Officers and other lending professionals by sharing knowledge, best practices, sales strategies, and industry expertise to support individual and team success.
• Maintain an active pipeline of mortgage opportunities by documenting customer interactions, monitoring loan progress, obtaining required documentation, and ensuring timely follow-up throughout the lending process.
• Collaborate with internal business partners to deliver a seamless customer experience and identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through referrals to other Bank products and services.
• Actively represent First American Bank through networking events, community involvement, industry associations, and other business development activities that strengthen the Bank's presence within the market.
• Perform sales-related activities primarily outside of Bank locations, including customer meetings, networking events, referral partner visits, and community outreach initiatives.
• 80%+ of work time is spent outside of Bank locations conducting business development, networking, customer meetings, and sales activities.
• Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• This position requires the individual to take loan applications and close loans.
• This position may require the employee to register and maintain registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS).
• Minimum of five years of mortgage loan origination experience required, including a demonstrated ability to develop referral relationships, generate new business, and successfully manage a residential mortgage pipeline.
• Minimum of three years of experience mentoring, coaching, training, or developing Mortgage Loan Officers or other lending professionals required.
• Advanced knowledge of residential mortgage products, mortgage pricing, underwriting guidelines, and the mortgage loan process from application through closing.
• Experience analyzing complex borrower financial information, credit profiles, income documentation, and assets to determine appropriate lending solutions and assess loan eligibility.
• Thorough understanding of applicable federal and state mortgage lending regulations, including TILA, RESPA, HMDA, ECOA, and Fair Lending requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and support to less experienced Mortgage Loan Officers, including sharing best practices related to business development, customer relationship management, product knowledge, and loan origination.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, maintain a high-volume pipeline, and contribute to the development of Mortgage Loan Officer talent.
• Demonstrated ability to educate borrowers on mortgage products, loan requirements, and the documentation necessary to successfully complete the mortgage application and approval process.
• Strong verbal communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively interact with borrowers, real estate professionals, builders, attorneys, title companies, and internal business partners.
• Demonstrated ability to tailor communications to diverse audiences, translating complex mortgage, financial, and underwriting concepts into clear and understandable information.
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced Mortgage Loan Officers by sharing knowledge, best practices, sales strategies, and lending expertise.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare professional correspondence and maintain accurate loan documentation while adhering to high standards of grammar, spelling, and professionalism.
• Ability to establish credibility and trust through a professional demeanor, consultative sales approach, and commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
• Maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners by exhibiting strong interpersonal skills, collaboration, and a solutions-focused approach.
• Use sound professional judgment to balance customer needs, regulatory requirements, and organizational objectives while effectively identifying and mitigating risk.
• Demonstrated business development and networking skills, including the ability to cultivate referral sources, generate new business opportunities, and proactively follow up with prospective customers.
• Ability to communicate technical mortgage lending concepts, underwriting requirements, and loan program eligibility criteria to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams, with the ability to effectively prepare, review, and manage loan-related documents, reports, and communications.
• Experience using Mortgage Loan Origination Systems (LOS) and related mortgage lending technologies required; previous experience with MortgageBot preferred but not required.
• Demonstrates a basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use as a productivity and business-support tool. Willingly learns and adopts approved AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness in daily work activities.
• Exercises professional judgment when leveraging AI-enabled tools by validating outputs for accuracy and relevance and maintaining proficiency through ongoing learning and adherence to organizational AI policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems, technologies, and workflows, and to effectively adapt to system enhancements, upgrades, and process changes.
• This position requires extensive travel, with approximately 80% of work time spent away from Bank locations cultivating referral sources, meeting with customers, developing new business opportunities, and conducting sales and networking activities. Travel is primarily local, although occasional overnight and out-of-state travel may be required for training, conferences, meetings, and other business purposes.
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required depending upon business need.
• Punctuality is required to maintain First American Bank’s customer service standards.