Mortgage Community Development Lender (remote or hybrid)

Southern Bancorp is a different kind of bank. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a special certificate on 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:
We are seeking Mortgage Community Development Lenders. The individual(s) will originate quality mortgage loans on 1-4 family properties for low to moderate income (LMI) and minority borrowers in partnership with supported external non-profit organizations.

This role requires knowledge of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), as it relates to lending, and knowledge of various grants and subsidy programs to fill affordable housing mortgage gap. This role requires substantial knowledge of affordable housing programs and first-time homebuyer education programs.

The individual in this role must be in AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN or TX.

The individual in this role must also have a comprehensive understanding of the following regulatory requirements: • Home Loan Disclosure Act • Real Estate Settlement Procedures • Reg. Z • Federal Truth in Lending • Fair Housing • HUD regulations • Client/FHLMC Requirements • Equal Credit Opportunity Act

Responsibilities: • Originate high quality mortgage loans which are typical in low-to-moderate income borrowers in order to help serve the housing needs of underserved communities • Increase mortgage loan volume, primarily focusing on CRA, low-to-moderate, and minority customers, through effective consultative selling • Act as a representative of the bank in the community by attending community meetings/events and providing training seminars to residents regarding loan application procedures and mortgage loan products and services • Work with non-profit partners to provide home buyer education, mortgage credit counseling and technical assistance • Identify appropriate community groups throughout the community and establish a plan for making contact • Serve on housing/credit/finance related boards, charitable/civic organizations or MBA committees on an ongoing basis • Provide input for the design of programs, participate in credit related training for consumers to enhance knowledge within the community to maximize the benefits of mortgage loans and services • Conduct outreach training classes in financial literacy, mortgage, banking, home ownership • Maintain extensive knowledge of Southern Bancorp’s product offerings • Identify potential loan applicants through referrals and make sales calls as appropriate in order to provide prospects with information on loan products and to solicit business as appropriate • Assist borrowers with the application process by providing direction in filling out forms and keeping the applicant informed of necessary documentation • Understand and remain educated on grant/subsidy programs available within market to ensure borrower receives maximum funding • Prepare loan status of each loan in individual pipeline to be given to non-profit housing partners if applicable • Interview and counsel loan applicants on the various mortgage loan programs offered by bank • Analyze financial status and credit on each potential borrower, and fully understand the contract of sale to ensure proper submission of application • Make sales calls to housing non-profits to maintain relationship and ensure for the steady flow of referrals • Report weekly on loan volumes to management, and produce all other applicable reports necessary to provide management with the success of the originating efforts as requested by management • Understand the complexity of the partnerships with non-profit organizations in an effort to mitigate potential reputational risk from occurring • Work on special projects as assigned by mortgage leadership team

Requirements: • High School Diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree is preferred • Two years’ experience in community development lending or minority mortgage lending with a focus on bridging the homeownership gap of underserved communities • Must have or receive NMLS clearance • Must have experience with broad program & mortgage investor guidelines • Housing counseling, financial planning and mortgage credit counseling experience • Good listener and self-starter with demonstrated ability to work with minimal hands-on direction • Must have excellent interpersonal skills to represent the Southern in a positive way in dealing with customers and other employees • Must have the ability to travel within market and must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage • Fluency in a second language is preferred but not required

Physical/Sensory Requirements: • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

What Southern Bancorp offers employees:

A positive impact on Your Future:
• Discounted rate on employee home loan
• 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6%
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Credit and housing counseling including free financial education tools

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

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

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.

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