Mortgage Loan Officer

Description GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Mortgage Loan Officer is responsible for originating residential mortgage loans by developing new business opportunities, interviewing prospective borrowers, evaluating financing needs, and guiding customers through the mortgage lending process from application through closing. This position serves as a representative of American National Bank & Trust ("ANB&T") by cultivating relationships with customers, real estate professionals, builders, and other referral sources while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal regulations, investor requirements, and Bank policies. The Mortgage Loan Officer is responsible for maintaining a high level of customer service while achieving individual production goals and supporting the Bank's strategic growth objectives. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: 1. Develops new residential mortgage business through networking, community involvement, referral relationships, and business development activities. 2. Interviews prospective borrowers to evaluate financing needs and recommend appropriate mortgage loan products. 3. Completes accurate residential mortgage loan applications and obtains all required supporting documentation. 4. Reviews borrower financial information to determine preliminary loan eligibility and recommends appropriate credit solutions. 5. Maintains a thorough knowledge of all residential mortgage loan programs offered by the Bank, including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, portfolio, and other investor products. 6. Maintains current knowledge of investor guidelines, underwriting requirements, and secondary market standards. 7. Coordinates the mortgage loan process with processors, underwriters, closers, title companies, appraisers, insurance agents, and other parties to facilitate timely loan closings. 8. Monitors loan pipelines and provides timely communication regarding loan status to borrowers, referral partners, and Bank personnel. 9. Exercises lending authority within approved limits and recommends credit decisions in accordance with Bank policy. 10. Ensures compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations, investor requirements, and Bank policies, including but not limited to the SAFE Act, TRID, RESPA, TILA, ECOA, HMDA, Fair Housing Act, Flood Insurance regulations, BSA/AML, OFAC, and Bank Secrecy Act requirements. 11. Maintains complete, accurate, and timely loan documentation in accordance with regulatory and Bank requirements. 12. Develops and maintains professional relationships with real estate agents, builders, financial professionals, attorneys, and other referral sources. 13. Represents ANB&T at community events, business functions, educational seminars, and networking opportunities. 14. Travels to customer appointments, Bank locations, closings, community events, and other business-related meetings as necessary. 15. Completes all required compliance training, regulatory education, and professional development. 16. Perform all other duties as assigned. Requirements REQUIRED SKILLS: 1. Possess thorough knowledge of residential mortgage lending principles, secondary market underwriting guidelines, and investor requirements. 2. Working knowledge of Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, portfolio, and other residential mortgage lending programs. 3. Strong knowledge of applicable federal mortgage lending regulations and consumer protection laws. 4. Excellent sales, relationship-building, and customer service skills. 5. Ability to communicate effectively with customers, realtors, builders, attorneys, title companies, and Bank personnel. 6. Ability to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail, managing multiple priorities, and meeting established deadlines. 7. Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills. 8. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and mortgage loan origination software. 9. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) in accordance with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act). Must successfully complete all required background checks, fingerprinting, annual renewal requirements, and continuing education applicable to registered mortgage loan originators. 10. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Regular local travel is required to conduct customer meetings, attend closings, participate in community events, business development activities, and visit Bank locations. Occasional overnight travel for meetings or training may be required. Must maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record if operating a vehicle on Bank business. 11. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have regular supervisory responsibilities. May provide guidance or assistance to less experienced employees and may assist management with departmental operations as assigned. 12. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business correspondence, regulatory guidance, legal documents, financial information, and professional journals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from customers, referral partners, management, regulators, and employees. 13. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as interest, loan-to-value ratios, debt-to-income ratios, commissions, percentages, and other financial calculations applicable to residential lending. 14. CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS: Ability to analyze financial information, interpret lending guidelines, exercise sound judgment, and solve practical problems while working within established Bank policies and regulatory requirements. 15. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under general supervision while exercising independent judgment in the performance of routine duties. Refers unusual or complex situations to the Mortgage Production Manager. 16. PLANNING: Responsible for planning and prioritizing daily work activities, managing an active loan pipeline, scheduling customer appointments, and coordinating multiple loan transactions simultaneously. 17. DECISION-MAKING: Exercises independent judgment in originating residential mortgage loans, recommending loan structures, and making lending decisions within delegated authority while adhering to Bank policies. 18. MENTAL DEMAND: Work requires sustained concentration, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple transactions with frequent interruptions and changing priorities. 19. ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM-SOLVING: High level of analytical ability required to evaluate borrower qualifications, interpret financial documentation, resolve loan issues, and recommend appropriate lending solutions. 20. PUBLIC CONTACT: Frequent contact with customers, referral sources, vendors, community organizations, and the general public. Successful performance requires professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to influence lending decisions through effective communication and relationship management. 21. EMPLOYEE CONTACT: Regular interaction with management and employees throughout the Bank requiring cooperation, professionalism, coordination of efforts, and effective communication. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS: This position requires frequent local travel to meet with current and prospective customers, attend community and business development events, and visit referral partners throughout the assigned market. The employee may work from a home office, a designated bank location, or other approved worksite, with attendance at bank offices, meetings, training sessions, and other business functions as required. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, drive, and use standard office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, and telephone, for extended periods. Occasional lifting and carrying of materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and electronically. A valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and access to reliable transportation are required. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION: High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field is preferred. Minimum one (1) year of residential mortgage loan origination experience required; banking experience preferred. Must be eligible to obtain and maintain NMLS registration under the SAFE Act. Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and training that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: This position reports directly to the Mortgage Production Manager, who then reports to the EVP / Mortgage Operations. The EVP / Mortgage Operations reports to the President of American National Bank & Trust who then reports to the CEO of American National Bank & Trust. DISCLAIMER: This job description is representative only and not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. Duties and responsibilities may be changed, expanded, reduced or delegated by Management to meet the business needs of the organization. This document in no way constitutes an offer of employment or a contract of employment. ANB&T reserves the right to modify job descriptions, policies or any other procedural document at any time, for any reason, with or without prior notice. “ANB&T is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Disability / Protected Veteran Status Employer”