The Loan Operations Manager is responsible for leading and mentoring the Loan Operations team (up to 4 people), ensuring compliance with bank policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. This role requires a hands-on manager who supports the team in completing daily tasks, fosters adherence to the bank’s core values, and drives operational excellence. The Loan Operations Manager collaborates with other departments to improve processes, enhance efficiencies, and ensure alignment with established policies and regulatory guidelines.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

• Supervise and guide the Loan Operations team in managing tasks such as onboarding new loans, modifications, renewals, extensions, and compliance-related activities (e.g., flood insurance notifications and post-closing reviews).
• Oversee loan closings, including participations, letters of credit, modifications, and renewals, ensuring adherence to loan terms, conditions, and policy guidelines.
• Ensure timely processing of escrow analyses and validate accurate loan settlements according to approved terms, ensuring collateral perfection.
• Develop and implement department goals, workflows, and staff assignments to optimize operational performance and achieve excellence.
• Manage loan input and verification procedures while ensuring processes meet service standards and regulatory requirements.

Process Improvement and Compliance:

• Analyze and recommend workflow improvements to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
• Ensure operating procedures comply with regulatory guidelines and integrate seamlessly with other bank functions for consistency.
• Oversee accurate and compliant loan processing within a complex operational environment.
• Maintain and update loan operations procedures, ensuring alignment with regulatory and organizational standards.

Team Management and Development:

• Lead, mentor, and train team members on all aspects of loan processing, tracking, and compliance monitoring.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and recommend personnel actions, including promotions, salary adjustments, and terminations.
• Cultivate a positive team environment by modeling the bank’s core values and fostering professional growth.
• Monitor team performance and ensure adherence to quality standards in loan processing.

Specialized Responsibilities:

• Perform secondary reviews of loans for uniformity in decision-making and inclusion in regulatory reporting (e.g., HMDA LAR).
• Monitor and track UCC filings, hazard and flood insurance, and other critical items.
• Oversee reconciliation of general ledger settlement and payable accounts, ensuring accuracy and timely resolution of outstanding items.
• Review and approve wire transfers for settlements, and participate in enterprise-wide projects and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Formal credit underwriting training is preferred.
• At least five years of experience in commercial lending, including CRE and C&I.
• Strong knowledge of commercial loan documentation, general accounting principles, and prudent lending practices.
• Exceptional analytical skills, with a focus on problem-solving and process improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to delivering exceptional service.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and other relevant software.

Compliance and Policies:

• Ensure adherence to all bank policies, federal and state regulations, and security procedures.
• Maintain customer information security and comply with the bank’s privacy policy.
• Complete all required compliance training annually.