Appraisal Manager

Job Summary

The Appraisal Manager is responsible for the end-to-end governance of the Bank's appraisal process, from bid solicitation through final delivery and acceptance of appraisal reports. This role ensures that all appraisal activities support safe lending practices, comply with applicable regulatory and policy requirements, and effectively mitigate collateral valuation risk. The Appraisal Manager oversees third-party appraisers and appraisal reviewers, manages the Bank's appraisal management system, supports lending teams through expert guidance, and serves as a key risk partner to the Chief Risk Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Appraisal Process Oversight
• Direct and manage the appraisal lifecycle, including bid requests, engagement, monitoring, review, and final acceptance of appraisal and appraisal review reports.
• Ensure appraisal requirements are appropriately identified during the bid process, aligning collateral analysis with loan structure, risk profile, and intended credit use.
• Serve as the primary liaison between lending staff, branches, internal departments, contracted appraisers, appraisal reviewers, and the third-party appraisal management platforms (YouConnect and Dawson AMP).
• Monitor timelines and deliverables to ensure appraisals are received and reviewed within established service level expectations.
• Periodic site visits to potential or existing collateral locations.
• Completion of collateral valuation reviews on an as needed basis.

Third Party Appraiser & Reviewer Management
• Oversee performance, quality, independence, and timeliness of all contracted appraisers and appraisal reviewers.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, service level reviews, and quality assessments; maintain performance grading and documentation.
• Manage and maintain the Bank's Approved Appraisers and Reviewers Lists, ensuring licenses, insurance, competencies, and independence requirements are current and documented.
• Recommend additions, removals, or status changes to the Approved Appraisers List to the Chief Risk Officer.
• Coordinate inquiries, revisions, corrections, and clarifications with appraisers and reviewers to support timely and compliant completion.

Risk, Compliance & Quality Assurance
• Ensure appraisal reviews meet all applicable standards and regulatory requirements, including USPAP, FIRREA, Interagency Appraisal Guidelines, and Fair Lending standards.
• Provide final sign off on appraisal reviews accepted by the Bank, confirming appropriateness of valuation conclusions and minimizing collateral and valuation risk.
• Maintain, enhance, and enforce the Bank's Appraisal Policy and related procedures.
• Participate in internal audits, regulatory examinations, and risk reviews related to the appraisal process; assist in issue remediation and examiner responses as needed.

Systems, Training & Process Improvement
• Administer and optimize the YouConnect appraisal management system to reflect organizational needs, regulatory expectations, and process efficiencies.
• Provide training, guidance, and ongoing support to lending personnel on appraisal requirements, policy expectations, and system usage.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and risk reduction within the appraisal function.

Leadership & People Management
• Provide direct leadership to assigned staff, including goal setting, performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, collaboration, and regulatory compliance within the appraisal function.

Regulatory & Compliance Responsibilities
• Comply with all applicable State and Federal banking regulations and internal policies, including but not limited to BSA/AML, OFAC, CIP, Fair Lending, Financial Elder Abuse Reporting, Information Security, Privacy, and Sexual Harassment policies.
• Identify and escalate suspicious activity, operational concerns, or compliance risks to supervisory staff and/or the BSA department as required.
• Complete all mandatory compliance training and assigned professional development programs.

Compliance Responsibilities - Supervisory

Responsible for office-level compliance with applicable state and federal banking regulations, including BSA, AML, OFAC, CIP, Financial Elder Abuse reporting, Sexual Harassment prevention, and information security and privacy requirements. Acts as the office control point to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal procedures, documentation standards, and required timeframes.

Provides supervisory oversight, identifies compliance risks, and escalates issues as appropriate. Completes required compliance, regulatory, and job-related technical training, including assigned workshops and continuing education, within required timeframes.

Required Knowledge
• Advanced knowledge of appraisal laws, regulations, and professional standards, including USPAP and FIRREA.
• Extensive expertise in commercial real estate appraisal methodologies and practices.
• Working knowledge of residential real estate appraisal practices.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting appraisals, including Fair Housing Act, RESPA, HMDA, UDAAP, and related guidance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple deadlines.
• Elevated level of customer service orientation and professional diplomacy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, Visio).
• Ability to research and navigate the Bank's core systems (e.g., JHA).
• Familiarity with commercial and/or residential loan underwriting preferred.
• Ability to manage difficult conversations and interact professionally with challenging stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail.

Equipment Operated
• Operates standard electronic computers and customary office equipment required to perform essential job functions.
• Use of equipment is required, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this description is intended to limit the availability of reasonable accommodation under applicable law.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements associated with office and computer-based work.
• Ability to sit and or stand for extended periods of time to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to manage, manipulate, or feel objects and operate standard office equipment.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with a controlled temperature and standard office conditions.

Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, Real Estate, or a related field.
• Certified General Real Estate Appraiser license required; MAI designation strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of commercial real estate appraisal experience.
• 5+ years' experience managing an appraisal function or appraisal management process within a financial institution, preferably a regional bank organization.

Minimum Absence Requirement - Two Weeks

As part of the Bank's internal control and risk management framework, positions with access to critical systems, records, or processes are designated as sensitive positions. Consistent with sound banking practices, employees assigned to sensitive positions are subject to mandatory consecutive absence requirements to support segregation of duties, facilitate independent review, and reduce the risk of errors, irregularities, or unauthorized activities.

This position has been designated as a sensitive position. Accordingly, the employee is required to complete a minimum of two (2) consecutive weeks of absence from assigned duties during each calendar year, in accordance with Bank policy. The absence will be scheduled in coordination with management to ensure continuity of operations while maintaining effective internal controls.

Administration of the mandatory absence requirement, including paid or unpaid status, will be conducted in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local wage and hour and leave laws, including California requirements, and consistent with Bank policy.

Officer Title Eligibility

For qualified positions, the Bank may designate an Officer Title to an employee who seeks and/or meets defined competencies for an eligible position. This position qualifies for the officer title(s) of Vice President or First Vice President.

Compensation

Salary Range for the role: $123,760 - $211,120 per year.

The listed range represents the full compensation range for this position. Placement within the range will depend on factors including skills, experience, job-related qualifications, geographic location, and internal equity.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned by management, consistent with business needs and applicable law.

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach reserve the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities at any time to meet business needs. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

April 16, 2026