Job Description

The Mortgage Community Development Loan Officer expands sustainable homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate income (LMI) individuals, families, and underserved communities. This role combines mortgage lending expertise with community engagement to increase access to affordable homeownership solutions and promote financial empowerment and generational wealth building.

Under minimal supervision, the Mortgage Community Development Loan Officer originates mortgage loans that meet regulatory, investor, and portfolio requirements, including Housing Finance Agency (HFA), first-time homebuyer, affordable lending, and down payment assistance programs. In addition, this position serves as a community ambassador and strategic partner by cultivating relationships with nonprofit organizations, housing agencies, community advocates, and internal stakeholders to advance Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair Lending objectives.

Responsibilities

Mortgage Loan Origination & Customer Advisory

• Originate residential mortgage loans in compliance with agency, investor, regulatory, and bank portfolio guidelines, with a focus on supporting CRA and Fair Lending initiatives.
• Consult with prospective borrowers to assess financing needs, explain available mortgage solutions, and guide them through the home financing process.
• Collect, analyze, and verify borrower information for loan applications, underwriting, disclosures, and approval.
• Evaluate creditworthiness and determine eligibility for affordable lending and down payment assistance programs.
• Structure loan transactions to align with product requirements and investor guidelines.
• Enter and maintain accurate loan information within the loan origination system and coordinate appraisal and documentation requirements.
• Submit loans through automated underwriting systems and review findings to ensure compliance with program guidelines.
• Prepare and deliver required disclosures, including Loan Estimates and redisclosures, within regulatory timeframes.
• Coordinate with processors, underwriters, closers, real estate professionals, and borrowers to ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Review Closing Disclosures with borrowers and prepare customers for successful loan closings.
• Issue prequalification determinations based on preliminary analysis of borrower eligibility.
• Maintain current knowledge of mortgage products, investor requirements, affordable housing programs, compliance requirements, and market conditions.
• Develop and execute business development and marketing plans to expand market presence and increase loan production.

Community Development & Outreach

• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, housing agencies, community groups, and other organizations serving LMI and underserved populations.
• Serve as a trusted community resource by promoting affordable homeownership opportunities and financial education.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate homebuyer education workshops, financial wellness seminars, and community outreach events.
• Represent Bell Bank Mortgage at housing fairs, community events, nonprofit functions, and industry meetings.
• Increase awareness and utilization of affordable lending products, down payment assistance programs, and homeownership resources.
• Collaborate with internal partners to align community development initiatives with business strategies and regulatory objectives.
• Monitor, track, and report community development activities, outreach efforts, program participation, and market impact.
• Measure and communicate progress toward CRA and Fair Lending goals and market objectives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Bell Bank Mortgage's presence and impact within underserved communities.
• Share success stories, program outcomes, and community impact achievements with leadership and stakeholders.

Relationship Management & Collaboration

• Build and maintain productive relationships with customers, referral partners, community organizations, and internal business partners.
• Collaborate with Operations, Compliance, Community Development, and Mortgage leadership teams to ensure consistent execution of organizational objectives.
• Act as a liaison between the bank and community stakeholders to identify needs, remove barriers to homeownership, and promote equitable access to lending opportunities.
• Deliver exceptional service while serving as an advocate for both customers and the communities Bell serves.

Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards:

• Know by name and face as many customers and employees as possible, calling them by name as often as possible.
• Know and practice LOCBUTN, our Golden Rules, and Bell Bank Customer Service Standards.
• Know, understand, and live the company values and bottom line.
• Conduct activities consistent with established Bell Bank policies, procedures and systems, the Bell Bank Employee Conduct policies, the Bank Secrecy Act and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• All employees are responsible for information security, including compliance with policies and standards which protect sensitive information.
• Prompt and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Other Expectations

• Associate degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Real Estate, Community Development, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2 – 4 years of recent residential mortgage loan origination experience, preferably supporting affordable lending, community development, CRA, or Fair Lending initiatives.
• Active NMLS registration and ability to maintain licensing requirements.
• Experience with mortgage regulations, compliance requirements, investor guidelines, and secondary market standards.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing down payment assistance and affordable lending products.
• Community Development, CRA, or Fair Lending-related lending experience.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills preferred.
• Ability to travel within the market area and work occasional evenings and weekends to support community outreach events and other community development activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of conventional, FHA, VA, and affordable housing lending programs.
• Proven ability to build relationships, generate business, and develop referral networks.
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze borrower financial information and make sound lending recommendations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.

Company Information