Loan Specialist II (Hybrid in Syracuse, NY)

Empower FCU Purpose: At every stage of life, positively impact members by providing affordable financial services.
Empower FCU Core Values: Fairness, Integrity & Honesty

Empower FCU Strategic Pillars:

• World-Class Employee Experience
• Best-In-Class Member Experience
• Growth for Impact
• Shared Value in the Community

Empower Federal Credit Union offers excellent benefits including...
Medical and Dental Insurance, 401K with Employer Match, Holiday Pay, Paid Time Off and more!

A World-Class Employee Experience: We are at our best when we are developing genuine relationships, looking out for one another, freely and honestly sharing information, and working together. We succeed when we rise above our departments, roles, and individual interests to come together, to move forward together. Each of us plays a crucial role in creating a positive work environment and we encourage all our employees to actively contribute to embracing Empower’s values and supporting those around you.
Be Yourself, Belong with Empower: The strength of Empower is in the unique backgrounds, voices, talents, & experiences of each person. With a culture of belonging, we enable teamwork, spark innovation, and fuel success.

Please note: All candidates will be subject to a background check to determine employment eligibility. For roles that require an NMLS you may be subject to a credit check.

Role:
The Loan Specialist II plays a key role in building strong relationships with both new and existing members by offering exceptional sales and service throughout the loan process. This includes guiding members from application intake to loan funding across various communication channels, while cross-selling credit union products and services. The position requires expertise in processing and funding loans, including auto, consumer unsecured, and potentially home equity loans, and staying current with industry knowledge and certifications. A commitment to delivering value, fairness, and integrity is essential in this member-focused role.
The hourly pay range for this position is: $21.97-$32.96
Location: Our headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY. We work in a Hybrid Model requiring a minimum of 5 days in office per month.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:25% Loan Application & Processing:

• Interview potential borrowers to gather necessary loan application information.
• Assess borrower eligibility based on established criteria.
• Accurately prepare and submit loan applications for auto, unsecured, and home equity products.
• Provide specialized support for auto loans for all branch locations, including understanding various DMV vehicle documentation requirements, vehicle valuations, and loan-to value calculations.

25% Verification & Loan Funding:

• Verify borrower information and documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Order and analyze credit reports, income verification, and other required documents.
• Coordinate directly with dealerships, private sellers, and financial institutions to ensure timely receipt of purchase agreements, payoff letters and lien holder information.
• Process and prepare loan closing packages, ensuring all necessary documentation is included.
• Disburse loan funds according to established procedures.

25% Account & Product Sales:

• Open new accounts, while conducting financial needs assessments for each member.
• Refer and cross-sell credit union products and services to meet members’ financial needs.
• Use a consultive sales approach to uncover opportunities and educate members on relevant financial solutions.
• Consistently meet or exceed individual and team sales goals and performance metrics.

15% Team Collaboration:

• Participate in Lending and Retail Lending Coordinator activities.
• Offer ideas and collaborate during team meetings.
• Assist in training and knowledge-sharing initiatives to ensure operational consistency and skill development across various teams.

10% Perform all other duties as assigned.

Performance Measurements:
See Dayforce (HRIS) Performance Management for Goals upon start in role, and annually.

Knowledge and Skills:
Experience: 3 to 5 years of related experience, ideally in specialized loans such as home equities, autos, and consumer unsecured loans.

Education: A two-year college degree, completion of a specialized course of study at a business or trade school, or successful completion of a comprehensive in-house training or apprenticeship program. An NMLS license is required for this position. Preferred qualifications include certifications in lending, financial counseling, or compliance-related fields, such as Notary Public, Certified Financial Counselor, or Compliance Expert.

Interpersonal Skills: Courtesy, tact, and the ability to work with diverse team members and clientele are essential elements of the job. Work involves much personal contact with others inside and/or outside the organization for purposes of giving or obtaining information, building relationships, or soliciting cooperation. Discussions involve a higher degree of confidentiality and discretion, requiring diplomacy and tact in communication.

Other Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of regulations relating to all credit union deposit and lending products.
• Proficient in spreadsheets and word processing software, and able to operate general office equipment and use a PC effectively.
• Professionalism in appearance, dress, and attitude.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
• Flexibility to travel occasionally, which may include working at various branches, attending training sessions, and participating in staff meetings.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods at a time, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This Job Description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising the position.

Empower Federal Credit Union is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic including race, religion, ethnicity, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, transgender status, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, marital status, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information/ predisposition or carrier status, status in the uniformed services of the United States (including veteran status) or any other basis protected by applicable national, federal, state, provincial or local law. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement reaffirms our commitment.

Federal Labor Law Posters
New York Labor Law Poster

Employment Eligibility Notices
E-Verify
Right to Work

Empower Federal Credit Union is committed to equal opportunity to qualified persons without regard to basis of race, religion, ethnicity, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, transgender status, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, marital status, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information/ predisposition or carrier status, status in the uniformed services of the United States (including veteran status) or any other basis protected by applicable national, federal, state, provincial or local law. Empower Federal Credit Union will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and feel you need a reasonable accommodation pursuant to the ADA, please contact us through one of the methods listed below:

a) Fax: 315.455.5423
b) US Mail: 1 Member Way Syracuse, NY 13212
c) Phone: 800.462.5000