Business Lending Specialist

Job Description Business Lending Specialist

Position Title:

Business Lending Specialist

Department: Economic Prosperity

Reports To:

Director of Economic Prosperity

Location:

UHAP

FLSA Status:

☒Exempt ☐Non-Exempt

Position Type:

☒Full-Time ☐Part-Time ☐Temporary ☐Intern ☐Contract

Organization Description

Hmong American Partnership (HAP) is a social service and community development organization whose mission is to empower the community to embrace the strengths of our cultures while achieving our potential. HAP’s vision is to create profound social, economic, and educational transformation by providing culturally responsive services, housing stability programs, and wellness support for the Southeast Asian and immigrant/refugee populations.

HAP’s vision is to reach out to the world with profound social, economic, and educational transformation.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Economic Prosperity, the Business Lending Specialist supports HAP’s small business lending operations throughout the full loan lifecycle. The position provides culturally responsive guidance to applicants and borrowers; underwrites loan requests; maintains accurate loan records and payment schedules; monitors portfolio risk and collections; and responds to account inquiries. The Specialist also collaborates with the Economic Prosperity team to connect clients with business education, technical assistance, lending products, and other resources that support long-term business stability.

The ideal candidate is accountable, outcomes-driven, and committed to serving Hmong, Southeast Asian, immigrant, refugee, and other under-resourced entrepreneurs. The position requires strong judgment, integrity, initiative, customer service, and knowledge of small business lending and financial services practices.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Loan Administration and Account Management

·      Conduct client consultations to discuss their financing needs.

·      Provide technical assistance and consistent communication to loan applicants throughout the application, review, and approval process.

·      Underwrite loan applications by reviewing credit reports, income documentation, financial information, and other relevant materials for completeness and accuracy.

·      Assess applicant creditworthiness and loan risk; prepare credit memoranda and present recommendations to the Loan Review Committee.

·      Maintain complete loan files and prepare and review closing documentation in accordance with lending policies and requirements.

·      Build and maintain trusted relationships with borrowers through responsive, professional communication and regular account updates.

·      Monitor loan payments and promptly follow up with borrowers regarding upcoming, missed, or past-due payments.

·      Communicate with borrowers regarding outstanding documentation and payment obligations in accordance with HAP’s lending, compliance, and collections policies.

·      Notify Accounting of delinquent accounts and coordinate collection efforts across internal teams.

·      Maintain accurate records of borrower financial circumstances, communications, payment arrangements, and collection activity.

·      Ensure all delinquent accounts receive timely and consistent follow-up in accordance with the current collections policy.

Community Outreach and Business Development

·      Provide ongoing business development support and connect borrowers to resources that strengthen business stability and reduce the risk of closure or loan default.

·      Coordinate with the team to deliver consistent communication and comprehensive, wraparound support.

·      Conduct community outreach and distribute materials promoting HAP’s lending products and services.

·      Respond promptly and diplomatically to inquiries from borrowers, prospective clients, and community partners while maintaining a high level of customer service.

Loan Servicing

·      Maintain complete and accurate loan records in DownHome Loan Manager and other systems, including borrower communications, payments, meetings, and account activity.

·      Complete timely data entry and reporting to support loan servicing, portfolio management, and stakeholder reporting.

·      Protect borrower information and comply with all lending, recordkeeping, and confidentiality policies.

·      Perform related duties as needed to support program outcomes and objectives.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

·      Desire to support clients and community members to start, own, or expand their businesses.

·      Strong computer skills and experience in Office 365 and Microsoft Office, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Sharepoint, and Teams.

·      High level of attention to detail and quality of work.

·      Excellent skills in written and verbal communication when working with clients and community members.

·      Outstanding ability to work with ambiguity and uncertainty in a fast-paced work environment.

·      Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.

·      Effective organizational and project management skills.

·      Demonstrated experiences in outreach activities, e.g., distributing flyers, proactively connecting with partners or organizations, setting up and staffing resource tables/events, etc.

·      Knowledge of community resources to support clients/borrowers.

·      Excellent ability to prioritize urgent and immediate tasks appropriately.

·      Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with people of diverse ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

·      Team player and adaptable as needed for agency needs.

·      Position requires flexible scheduling, including occasional weekends, late evening events, and travel within the 7-County Metropolitan areas surrounding Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

·      Must have a reliable car, a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance, and the willingness to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel.

Qualifications

·      Bachelor’s degree in business, Management, or similar field or a minimum of 3 years working in financial, banking, or lending services is required.

·      Experience in the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and/or entrepreneurship sector(s) is desired.

·      High School Diploma required.

·      Knowledge of the Hmong, Southeast Asian, and other immigrant and refugee cultures, languages, and traditions preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

☐Yes ☒No (may include task coordination but not direct supervision)

Working Environment

The following position requirements are representative of those that will be encountered while performing the responsibilities of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, phone, and keyboard.

·       Must be able to remain in a stationary position for sustained periods of time in an indoor setting.

·       Ability to tolerate moderate noise levels (i.e., shared open office space with computers, phones, printers, light traffic).

·       Must have the ability to move about the office to access files and office equipment.

·       Must have access to reliable transportation for occasional travel for meetings at other HAP office locations, events, and offsite meetings.

·       Occasional moving or lifting of boxes or files up to twenty pounds.

·       Able to focus on data, analyze the information and draw conclusions.

·       Frequent interactions with coworkers and participants, ability to communicate effectively.

·       Frequent communication via email requiring ability to fluently read and write in English.

·       Frequent preparation and analysis of figures.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Range: $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 hourly

All full-time (30+ hours/week) HAP employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, and 401(k) Plan
• 16 Days PTO
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Professional Development and Training Opportunities