Mortgage Loan Originator - Inside Sales

Starting Salary:  $85,000

Basic Qualifications

Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field, or equivalent professional lending experience (minimum 5 years in residential mortgage origination or lending).

Skill(s) and Required Qualifications: Demonstrated expertise in residential mortgage products, underwriting guidelines, and lending criteria. Proficiency with loan origination software (Encompass 360, Ellie Mae, or similar LOS), Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic banking systems. Strong analytical and financial assessment skills with ability to evaluate borrower creditworthiness and underwriting risk. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex mortgage products and lending concepts clearly to borrowers, realtors and internal staff. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain professional relationships with referral partners, customers and internal departments. Detail-oriented approach with strong organizational and time management skills; ability to manage multiple loan files simultaneously and meet deadlines. Demonstrated sales ability and proven track record of meeting or exceeding production goals and revenue targets. Knowledge of TILA, RESPA, HMDA, Fair Lending, Privacy and other applicable mortgage lending regulations. Sound judgement, high integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to compliance and regulatory requirements. Active Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) registration. 

Preferred Qualifications: Professional certifications such as Certified Mortgage Loan Originator (CMLO), MBA, or other advanced lending credentials. Experience in community banking or with local lenders demonstrating commitment to relationship-based lending. Established network of realtors, builders and mortgage brokers in the local market. Experience with secondary market operations and investor delivery requirements (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae).

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of residential mortgage and/or consumer loan servicing experience, including direct exposure to loan boarding, escrow administration, payment processing, and investor reporting required. Experience building or restructuring a servicing function, integrating a loan origination system with a core banking platform, or managing a sub-servicer relationship preferred.

General Responsibilities

The Mortgage Loan Originator is responsible for originating residential and consumer mortgage loans through relationship development, client consultation, and sales activity. This position works in a fast-paced, quota-driven environment focused on generating new business through established internal bank referrals as well as relationships with realtors, builders, other referral sources, and direct consumer outreach. The successful candidate will possess strong communication skills, extensive knowledge of mortgage products and lending guidelines, and a proven ability to manage a robust sales pipeline while maintaining regulatory compliance and exceptional customer service.

Essential Duties: 

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  • Originate residential mortgage loans through prospecting, lead generation, and relationship development with realtors, builders, mortgage brokers, and other referral sources.
  
  
  • Meet or exceed individual production targets and loan pipeline goals established by Bank management.
  
  
  • Interview applicants to gather and verify financial information including income, assets, liabilities, employment history, and credit profile to assess borrower qualification and creditworthiness.
  
  
  • Counsel borrowers on available mortgage products and programs (FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional, Fixed-Rate, Adjustable-Rate, Jumbo, Reverse, Bridge loans) and recommend appropriate loan structures based on individual financial situations and objectives.
  
  
  • Prepare complete, accurate loan applications and ensure all required supporting documentation is collected, reviewed, and organized for submission to the underwriting department.
  
  
  • Issue Loan Estimates and other required regulatory disclosures (Closing Disclosure, TILA, RESPA) in compliance with applicable timing requirements and federal regulations.
  
  
  • Coordinate with internal departments (Processing, Underwriting, Closing) and external partners (appraisers, title companies, inspectors, flood determination services) to facilitate smooth loan processing and timely closings.
  
  
  • Manage loan pipeline and track application status, providing regular updates to borrowers and referral partners to ensure transparency and maintain strong relationships.
  
  
  • Assist borrowers in resolving application issues, gathering additional documentation, clarifying underwriting conditions, and addressing any concerns or questions throughout the loan process.
  
  
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Bank lending policies, underwriting guidelines, loan products, pricing, and competitive positioning.
  
  
  • Stay current on residential mortgage industry regulations, compliance requirements, and lending law changes including TILA, RESPA, HMDA, Fair Lending, Privacy, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations.
  
  
  • Maintain accurate records, complete all required documentation, and submit timely reports related to loan origination activity, pipeline status, and loan performance.
  
  
  • Comply with all internal policies, procedures, and practices related to risk management, compliance, regulatory requirements, equal opportunity lending, and fair lending practices.
  
  
  • Complete required compliance training courses and professional development activities as assigned.
  
  
  • Abides by the current laws and organizational policies and procedures designed and implemented to promote an environment which is free of harassment and other forms of illegal discriminatory behavior in the workplace.
  
  
  • Cooperates with, participates in, and supports the adherence to all internal policies, procedures, and practices in support of risk management and overall safety and soundness and the Bank's compliance with all regulatory requirements.
  
  
  • Coordinates specific work tasks with other personnel within the department as well as with other departments in order to ensure the smooth and efficient flow of information.
  
  
  • Communicates with management and staff personnel in order to integrate goals and activities.
  
  
  • Responds to inquiries relating to his/her particular area, or to requests from other Bank personnel, customers, etc., within given time frames and within established policy.
  
  
  
  

Maintains appropriate records and provides assigned reports.

Ancillary Duties

Job Location

 Residential & Consumer Lending

 1700 Avenue of the States

Suite 301

 Lakewood, NJ 08701

Equipment/Machines

First Commerce is dedicated to providing people, businesses, and communities in our markets with high quality products and services with superior customer service. We provide products and services through secure, user-friendly technology and customer friendly locations. Our relationships are founded in our desire to be responsive to the financial needs of our customers in an atmosphere of personal attention, professionalism, trust, integrity and fairness. First Commerce prides itself on maintaining personal communications beginning with the Board of Directors.

First Commerce Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.