Small Business Loan Officer and Underwriter- Arlington, VA

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1991. LEDC’s mission is to drive the economic and social advancement of low- to moderate-income Latinos and other DMV area and Puerto Rico residents by equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve financial independence and become leaders in their communities.

Position Summary: The Small Business Lending Officer and Underwriter act as a single point of contact between LEDC and our prospective borrowers, and is responsible for the origination, processing, and underwriting of the loan.

The goal of the Lending program is to provide financing to promising entrepreneurs who are often unable to access credit with traditional banks and lenders. Without access to financing many of the entrepreneurs we serve experience significant challenges to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Our financial support increases the capacity of our entrepreneurial clients to create wealth and economic opportunity for the communities they serve.

LEDC is a US Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Intermediary and Community Advantage lender. The Senior Small Business Loan Officer currently processes loans between $2,500- $250,000 for small or emerging businesses unable to obtain financing from mainstream banks.

 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Personal Outreach, including visiting clients to hold meetings and presenting key information to the decision makers.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations with strong community ties that are consistent with LEDC's mission. These organizations may include credit unions, banks, certified development companies, chambers of commerce, governmental agencies, etc.
  • Promote LEDC products and services via various means: Webinars, Live presentations, Phone Consults, Forums.
  • Consult with clients about their lending needs to help them achieve their financial goals, including the collection and analysis of information about the client’s financial situation.
  • Review and analyze small business loan applications for completeness and eligibility.
  • Spread and interpret financial statements, tax returns and projections.
  • Verify feasibility of proposed loan structure, and the character, capacity, collateral, and cash flow of the borrowers.
  • Evaluate the credit risks and repayment capacity for each loan applicant and then prepare detailed credit memos using LEDC’s template clearly identifying these evaluation factors following lending policy and underwriting guidelines.
  • Assist our portfolio management team in working with clients whose loans are past due and/or their business is showing signs of trouble.
  • Empathetically communicate loan denials by explaining credit deficiencies to applicants.
  • Manage and organize files containing detailed and accurate loan documentation to ensure complete records for financial and regulatory compliance.
  • Connect clients in need of small business technical assistance with appropriate business coaches.

Required Education and Experience Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
  • Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Office, including Excel, and other online SaaS portals.
  • Demonstrated commitment to working with low-income communities.
  • An understanding of small business development as a tool for community-based economic development.

Nice-to-haves

If you…

  • Are bilingual (English/Spanish).
  • Have 2+ years of experience with a commercial lender.
  • Are experienced or familiar with small business financial management and marketing.
  • Have provided small business technical assistance and/or training previously.
  • Possess hands-on experience working with small business owners.
  • Can attend events or meet with clients, etc. occasionally on nights and/or weekends.

…we strongly encourage you to apply!

Location & Schedule  

This position reports to our Arlington office, located at: 2300 Wilson Blvd. Suite 719, Arlington VA 22201.

This is a full-time, exempt role which typically requires 40 hours per week, and requires the incumbent to work a hybrid schedule which typically requires at least two days in the office (subject to change). Some travel is required. 

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $51,066 - $59,269 annually, dependent on experience and team budget. LEDC is proud to offer a generous benefit package including healthcare, vision, dental, disability and life insurance plans available to employees at no cost, sick, vacation, personal days and more!

How to Apply

Send your cover letter and resume to [email protected], with a subject line of: Small Business Loan Officer and Underwriter- VA. No phone calls please!

Notices

Equal Opportunity

Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact [email protected]. LEDC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, with a drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, personal appearance, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

E-Verify

LEDC participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program, which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, visit e-verify.gov.