SBA Business Lending Specialist

About Us

Join Dogwood, a North Carolina state-chartered community bank named as a Best Employer in North Carolina for multiple consecutive years! Dogwood has had immense success in recent years with a passion for serving our customers and communities. As a vital asset to Dogwood, our team members play a crucial role in delivering exceptional financial services through our branches and online offerings across the Carolinas and Tennessee. With deep roots in the communities we serve, we pride ourselves on being an employer of destination. At Dogwood, our core values of love and respect shine through in every aspect of our work. We are a dedicated team, committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of our customers and communities.

Position Summary

The Business Lending Specialist develops new loan volume via the SBA Programs. This position requires continuous marketing efforts to establish contacts and leads to generate a strong referral network. This role establishes effective and efficient work processes with external/internal partners to identify new SBA prospects, convert prospects to applications, and manage the loans through the credit and closing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Reads and understands the SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Develops a successful business plan.
• Works independently without daily supervision.
• Develops effective and efficient processes to manage loan pipeline and submit applications in a timely manner.
• Develops marketing strategies using all available tools and resources to identify markets to penetrate new business.
• Builds a contact base of at least 1,000 current and potential referral sources.
• Able to win business based upon building value, loan structure and relationship development.
• Reviews the entire loan process from application to closing, sets and manages expectations.
• Develops and nurtures effective working relationships with internal partners.
• Provides a complete and well-thought-out package to credit.
• Ability to source over $2,500,000 per month in new loan application volume.
• Implements excellent time management.
• Keeps borrowers/ business partners and referral sources well informed and sets/maintains the proper expectations. 
• Works in conjunction with conventional bankers for referrals and supporting their customers’ needs.
• Reads, understands and interpret credit guidelines.
• Determines loan eligibility per current SBA SOP.
• Structures financing packages to meet the needs of the borrower/business partners, meets all Credit Guidelines, and ability to be closed.
• Reads and interprets business and personal tax returns, works on initial spreads for use of proceeds, cash flow, and collateral coverage.
• Interprets the business financial statements.
• Reads business plans and financial projections, judges for completeness and efficacy. 
• Reads and interprets personal financial statements, credit reports & D&B reports.
• Interprets financial data required for loan applications.
• Ability to identify closing issues that may negatively impact a loan request.
• Provides borrower/business partner with correct preliminary closing checklist based on type of loan and transaction.
• Assists in closing and in the collection of needed documentation.

General Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 5+ years’ banking experience in Guaranteed Government lending. Previous business development experience is essential. experience.
• Deep knowledge of the SBA’s SOP, and related regulations.
• Network of people and resources within the SBA and related organizations.
• Knowledge and ability to use SBA systems are necessary to perform under the bank’s PLP SBA status.
• Ability to coach and develop staff.
• Ability to think strategically about staff, competitive position relative to a market, and plan actions accordingly.
• Knowledge of business development planning and management at an office level.
• Skilled in managing the risk management controls and activities of a lending office.
• Thorough knowledge of lending policies and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of commercial banking services.
• Excellent managerial, communication, and sales skills.
• Proficient in computer software, fulfilling the principal responsibilities of the job.
• Familiarity with online computer systems.
• Proficient with statement spreading programs.
• Above - average courtesy and tact in dealing with community and peers.
• Strong professional, appearance, dress, attitude, interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to perform independently and with minimal supervision.
• Has responsibility for following regulatory requirements including those pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Customer Identification Program.
• (CIP), and OFAC to assist in the identification, detection and detriment of money laundering or other unlawful activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical & Mental Demands

Vision, hearing, speech, movements requiring the use of wrists, hands and/or fingers. Must be able to sit, stand, stoop, bend and lift up to 50 pounds. Must have the ability to work the days and hours required to fulfill the essential functions of the position. Quick thinking, adaptability, and exercise discretion when necessary