Merchants Bank, Winona, is seeking a Mortgage Processing/Closing Manager. Initial training will be in Winona, MN and then can be worked out of any Merchants Bank location with office space available.
This position is responsible for the direct supervision and workflow management for all Mortgage Processing and Closing departments. This includes developing performance metrics and standards for role, reviewing daily numbers and metrics for each channel, identifying daily priorities, and daily and weekly pipeline management to move loans through the system timely and efficiently. Will also establish processes and procedures to maintain accuracy, compliance requirements, and completeness of required documentation. Responsible for ensuring the Processing and Closing teams provid exceptional customer service experience for all customers, lenders, teammates, as well other contacts, both internal and external.
Must have a minimum of three years’ experience in management and mortgage experience, knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Government Jumbo and other investor guidelines. Must also have knowledge of related compliance regulations.
Merchants Bank offers competitive wages and benefits for our full-time employees including health, dental, life, disability and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts, 401(k) and ESOP retirement plans; bonus plan; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; and a variety of voluntary supplemental insurance options.
Please Apply online at www.merchantsbank.com/careers or in person at Merchants Bank, Winona (102 E 3rd Street). Questions can be emailed to hr@merchantsbank.com. Merchants Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the direct supervision and workflow management for all staff performing within the following roles: (1) Mortgage Loan Processor I, II, III, (2) Mortgage Closer I, II, III, (3) Mortgage Disburser, and all additional positions, as hired/created, that work in roles within the processing, closing, and disbursing of mortgage loans for Merchants Bank Retail Lenders and the Relationship Lending Correspondent Partners. This includes management and scheduling for the Processing Help Desk as well as the Disclosure Desk to ensure timely, accurate and compliant disclosures, re-disclosures, closing disclosures, closing packages and loan disbursing/wires. This also includes developing and monitoring performance metrics and standards for each direct reporting role, while reviewing daily numbers and metrics for each channel, identifying daily priorities, and daily and weekly pipeline management to move loans through the system timely and efficiently. In addition, this role will establish processes and procedures to maintain accuracy, compliance requirements, and completeness of required documentation. This role will be responsible for ensuring the Processing, Closing and Disbursing teams provide exceptional customer service experience for all customers, lenders, teammates, as well other contacts, both internal and external.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum three years of experience in management or mortgage processing/closing
• Ability to read and analyze tax returns, financial statements, knowledge of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Government, Jumbo, and other investor guidelines
• Has knowledge of mortgage related compliance regulations such as RESPA, Fair Lending, HMDA, TRID timelines, etc.
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to effectively interact with various styles and levels of management and be able to adjust own communication style based on the audience.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and mentor at all position levels
• Positive Attitude and willingness to help others

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Personal computer skills, good typing skills, effective telephone, and written communication skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effectively lead all teams in alignment with the Bank’s strategic goals
• Work in a collaborative fashion with all direct reporting staff with particular emphasis on making a smooth process among all departments to ensure the highest level of customer service and workflow efficiency across all departments
• Ensure all regulatory and compliance requirements are being met
• Measure performance for all direct reporting staff to ensure all standards are met for the various types of mortgage loans
• Improve and convey any training, procedural or policy changes
• Develop, formalize, and maintain department policies and procedures as they pertain to the Mortgage Processing, Mortgage Closing and Mortgage Disbursing areas
• Ability to problem solve and make suggestions for system and procedural improvements and efficiencies
• Motivate and lead by example, effectively communicating individual, team, and company objectives
• Monitor and enhance the Correspondent Relationship Lending Program and ensure compliance requirements are being met
• Assist in developing new products, procedures, and workflows as they pertain to Mortgage Processing, Mortgage Closing and Mortgage Disbursing areas
• Responsible for making sure mortgage systems/applications are performing as expected as they pertain to Mortgage Processing, Closing and Disbursing before and after system updates, and participate in testing as needed.
• Continually look for increased efficiencies and automation to contribute to improving our overall efficiency ratio and using the ADKAR methodology when implementing changes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Lead all direct reports
• Exercise sound judgement in all decisions impacting: processing, closing, disbursing, team/individual management, compliance and customer interactions
• Identification of load balancing needs across all channels
• Schedule and assist with Mortgage Processing, Mortgage Closing and Mortgage Disbursing team training as needed
• Coach, mentor, and develop Mortgage Processing, Mortgage Closing and Mortgage Disbursing through monthly meetings and other arranged educational workshops
• Demonstrate excellent customer service skills by answering questions pertaining to loans in process, potential loan requests, and general information
• Assist Mortgage Processing and Mortgage Closing departments with the Purchasing Department’s request for missing documentation when needed, as well as Post Closing documentation required per exception reports
• Assist with obtaining required information for mortgage loan applicants regarding disclosures, verification of employment, deposits, appraisals, credit reports, title work, required insurance coverage, and any other pertinent information necessary for the loan file
• Process and verify documents received for mortgage loans
• Prepare and submit the loan to underwriting by gathering supporting documentation and verifying information of the original application
• Interpret underwriting results and collects information required to clear contingencies for final approval
• Contact creditors for loan payoff figures for mortgage customers and arrange and coordinate loan closing with attorneys, loan officers, and/or borrowers and mortgage loan settlement agent as requested
• Assist with obtaining required information for mortgage loan closings regarding disclosures, verification of employment, closing conditions as required by underwriting and the title company, and any other pertinent information necessary for the closing/disbursing of the loan
• Be able to perform backup processing, closing and disbursing functions
• Responds to post-closing audit reports and provides training/process changes/automation suggestions
• Audit and review loan files for accuracy (make sure all information in the loan file is accurate, system screens are filled out completely and correctly), compliance timelines adhered to and Mavent messages cleared
• Regular and dependable attendance is an essential function for this job
• Employee will be expected to complete compliance and product knowledge assignments in a timely manner
• Perform any other duties as requested by management to assist other departments, as necessary