CNB Bank, Prequalification Specialist

Description

The Prequalification Specialist is responsible for reviewing and completing residential mortgage prequalification requests in accordance with established bank policies, investor guidelines, and applicable regulatory requirements. This role serves as a key support function to Lenders and other lending personnel by assessing preliminary borrower qualification, analyzing income, assets, liabilities, and credit information, and communicating findings in a timely and professional manner. Escalates exceptions, C-score approvals and guideline interpretation questions to management with appropriate authority.

The Prequalification Specialist is also responsible for completing contractor authorization reviews in compliance with established contractor approval procedures.

Below is a list of essential functions of this position. Additional responsibilities may be assigned in the position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review and complete mortgage prequalification requests accurately and timely while adhering to internal underwriting guidelines, secondary market requirements, and applicable lending regulations.
• Analyze borrower income, assets, credit, liabilities, and other qualifying factors to determine preliminary mortgage eligibility and borrowing capacity.
• Escalates exceptions and guideline interpretation questions to management with appropriate authority.
• Communicate prequalification decisions, conditions, and supporting documentation requirements to Lenders and other lending personnel.
• Review, process, and maintain contractor authorization requests, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and contractor approval requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation while providing exceptional service to internal departments, borrowers, contractors, and external business partners.

ATTITUDES:

Builds positive relationships with internal and external clients by valuing other's feelings and rights in both words and actions, and embracing other's unique beliefs, backgrounds, and perspectives by demonstrating:

Respect

• Treats customers, lenders, contractors, and coworkers with professionalism, courtesy, and fairness.
• Maintains confidentiality of customer and business information while fostering trust and mutual respect.
• Values diverse perspectives and approaches when addressing lending and operational challenges.

Client Focus

• Delivers timely, accurate, and responsive service to internal and external clients.
• Anticipates client needs and proactively communicates requirements, conditions, and next steps.
• Demonstrates a commitment to helping borrowers and lending staff navigate the prequalification and contractor authorization processes efficiently and effectively.

Inclusion

• Creates a welcoming and supportive environment that values diversity and ensures equitable treatment for all clients and coworkers.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully with individuals from varying backgrounds and experiences.
• Contributes to a culture of teamwork, engagement, and belonging throughout the organization.

BEHAVIORS:

Demonstrates strong business ethics and honest behaviors and the ability to positively influence and work with others to achieve excellent results by demonstrating:

Leadership

• Takes initiative in identifying issues, resolving challenges, and improving processes.
• Serves as a knowledgeable resource to lending staff regarding prequalification requirements, contractor authorizations, and guideline interpretations.
• Demonstrates ownership of responsibilities and supports organizational goals through proactive action.

Integrity

• Consistently adheres to regulatory requirements, investor guidelines, and internal policies.
• Exercises sound judgment and ethical decision-making when reviewing borrower information and contractor authorization requests.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information responsibly and professionally.

Collaboration

• Works effectively with Lenders, Underwriters, Processors, Branch Personnel, and other stakeholders to achieve timely and accurate outcomes.
• Shares knowledge and supports team members to promote operational efficiency and service excellence.
• Contributes constructively to discussions, process improvements, and organizational initiatives.

Volunteerism

• Supports community engagement activities and organizational volunteer initiatives when opportunities arise.
• Demonstrates commitment to the organization's mission, values, and community involvement efforts.
• Serves as a positive ambassador for the organization both within the workplace and in the community.

COMPETENCIES:

Reflects skill, good judgement, positive conduct, and personal responsibility for assigned areas. Seeks to implement and leverage services and technologies that create efficiencies by demonstrating:

Accountability

• Takes ownership of assigned prequalification requests and contractor authorization reviews from receipt through completion.
• Produces accurate work while meeting established service level expectations and deadlines.
• Accepts responsibility for outcomes and promptly addresses errors, discrepancies, or concerns.

Innovation

• Identifies opportunities to improve workflows, increase efficiencies, and enhance the client experience.
• Embraces new technologies, systems, and process improvements that support organizational goals.
• Recommends practical solutions that improve accuracy, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Professionalism

• Demonstrates a high level of competence, reliability, and attention to detail in all work performed.
• Maintains current knowledge of mortgage lending regulations, secondary market requirements, and industry best practices.
• Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner through effective communication, sound judgment, and consistent adherence to policies and procedures.

SEEKS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:

Actively participates in expanding skill sets and career paths by attending training programs, workshops, certification courses, webinars, and educational resources related to mortgage lending, underwriting fundamentals, secondary market requirements, contractor approval processes, compliance, and customer service. Pursues cross-functional learning opportunities that foster professional growth and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, & EXPERIENCE

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential position requirement satisfactorily, and a skills inventory is listed below. A background screening will be conducted.

• High school diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required. Associate's or Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in mortgage lending, mortgage processing, underwriting support, loan origination, banking operations, or a related financial services role preferred.
• Knowledge of residential mortgage lending practices, credit analysis, income calculation methodologies, and secondary market guidelines preferred.
• Ability to understand and interpret lending regulations, policies, procedures, and investor requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Background screening will be conducted.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret documents. Possesses professional communication and interpersonal skills to write and speak effectively both one-on-one and before groups of clients or employees of the organization. Ability to communicate to clients directly and effectively.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Ability to utilize telephone systems and possess strong digital literacy, including email, internet, and intranet applications. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams. Prior experience with mortgage loan origination systems (LOS), automated underwriting systems, document imaging systems, and other software utilized in mortgage lending operations is preferred. Ability to learn and effectively use new technologies and system enhancements.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages, ratios, and mathematical formulas used in mortgage lending. Ability to calculate debt-to-income ratios, housing expense ratios, qualifying income, and other financial metrics necessary to evaluate borrower eligibility for prequalification purposes.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply sound judgment and critical thinking when reviewing borrower financial information and contractor authorization requests. Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, investor guidelines, and regulatory requirements. Ability to identify discrepancies, analyze information from multiple sources, and recommend appropriate actions while maintaining compliance standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

This position operates in a professional office environment with significant time spent at a workstation utilizing computers, telephones, scanners, and other office equipment. Frequently required to communicate with staff, customers, contractors, and business partners. Noise level is moderate. May occasionally be required to lift up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel occasionally to branch locations, training events, conferences, or other business-related functions as needed.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER : This job description is not an exclusive list of responsibilities and duties. They may change at any time without notice.

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
• 401K with company match
• Paid Time Off & Recognized Holidays
• Leave policies
• Voluntary Benefit Options (Life, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity & Pet)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Health & Wellness Program
• Special Loan and Deposit Rates
• Gradifi Student Loan Paydown Plan
• Rewards & Recognition Programs and much more!

Eligibility requirements apply.

CNB Bank is an equal opportunity employer and all applicants are considered based on qualifications without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status. CNB Financial Corporation is an Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.