Lending Assistant

Merchants Bank has an opening for a Lending Assistant. This on-site position can work from any of the following branch locations in Minnesota - Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Northfield, Lakeville, Hastings or in Eau Claire, WI. Hours for this position will be Monday through Friday between 8am - 5pm.

This position involves assisting with a variety of duties throughout the commercial and consumer loan process including obtaining required loan information, requesting loan documents for closing, completing documentation, tracking and updating loan information. Also involves providing excellent customer service and contributing to a positive working environment.


Must be well organized, motivated, have the ability to initiate and follow through on projects, and work under deadlines. Excellent customer service, teamwork, and computer skills required. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Banking & experience with loan documentation preferred.

Merchants Bank offers competitive wages and benefits for our full-time employees including health, dental, life, disability and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts, 401(k) and ESOP retirement plans; bonus plan; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; and a variety of voluntary supplemental insurance options.


Please click on Apply Now or apply in person at any Merchants Bank location. Questions can be emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io. Merchants Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Summary :

Work is performed under general supervision according to established policies and procedures; emphasis of this position is to assist the Loan Department with various job duties. A variety of secretarial and clerical duties are related to this job.

This position requires a well-organized, self-motivated individual with the ability to multi-task, problem solve and initiate projects and follow through as needed.

Essential Responsibilities :

• Start loan process for requests and annual reviews in LendingCloud system as requested by lenders or seen on lender reports.
• Assist Loan Officers by obtaining required information necessary for loans; i.e., UCC search/copies, order appraisals, pull customer relationship exception report, title searches, flood search, environmental assessment search, legal description, recording fees of appropriate county/state, corporate documents, insurance, yearly taxes, loan payoffs, correct VIN numbers, and/or any other request from the Officer.
• Request Commercial Loan documents for closings as instructed by lenders and complete the applicable checklist prior to loan closing. Quality Control checkback on loans to assure loan documents match credit authority and approval.
• Confirm all necessary loan documentation has been requested and received and all appropriate closing fees have been included on the Disbursement Register/Settlement Statement when applicable.
• Assist Loan Officers at time of closing by typing cashier's checks and/or wire transfer of funds, notarize documents and send for timely recording/filing; i.e., satisfactions, mortgages, deeds, and assignments of rents. Follow-up on outstanding documentation needed after closing (insurance, title work, etc.)
• Close loan with customer if requested by Lender.
• Prepare funding spreadsheet to book loan on Signature/CBS system, with applicable checklist and send to appropriate groups.
• Complete Beneficial Ownership Form/CIP documentation prior to closing.
• Complete HMDA and CRA reportable loan documentation for Commercial Loans. Review and process HMDA Applications for Consumer Loans.
• Complete Insurance checklist and send to appropriate department.
• Audit and maintain collateral vault when list is received from Import Group and work with audit/compliance group when needed to get items corrected.
• Type and process construction advances.
• Open, sort, review and distribute Department mail.
• Complete customer loan advance/loan payment, late fee waivers and payment reversal requests via Intranet form.
• Send and assist in the processing of non-accrual documents and funds collected to the appropriate departments.
• Assist with work on Floor plan advances & payoffs as needed.
• Track FSA/SBA Advances and payments for borrowers as required by FSA/SBA.
• Scan incoming financials, drop in appropriate folder to be put in LQAS and complete salutation setup in LQAS.
• Respond timely to Commercial and Consumer paid loan process.
• Assist Lenders with collection of financial information and other reporting required from customers.
• Prepare correspondence as requested by Loan Officers for document signature, substitution of collateral, security agreement VIN number corrections, etc.
• Supply customers with loan history reports, year-end reports or any other loan documentation requests.
• Schedule Department meetings as requested.
• Prepare and distribute any Loan Department reports (delinquent notes report, notes maturing, pipeline and fees collected for commercial loans) where applicable.
• Assist lenders with work on exception reports.
• Attend customer visits with lenders when requested.
• Provide outstanding customer service by answering telephones, assisting walk-in customers, and by providing ongoing lender support to satisfy customer needs.
• Contribute to a positive working environment through words and actions.
• Maintain good working relationships with outside vendors (title companies, realtors, county recorder's offices, etc.).
• Greet internal and external customers in a friendly and outgoing manner.
• Adhere to compliance and laws concerning financial institutions and completion of compliance training as required for job description.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Working Conditions :

Inside working environment, very low noise level, work performed primarily sitting at a desk. Requires finger dexterity to operate office equipment.


Mental Demands/Skill Requirements:


Must have above-average written and verbal communication skills and be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience working with loan documents is preferred. Strong ability with multi-tasking, attention to detail, and ability to work independently required. Must be excellent team worker.


Relationships :

Reports to the Lending Support Coordinator, for fulfillment of duties, responsibilities, authority, and for proper interpretation. Will have contact with customers, public, and staff, and is to conduct self in a manner that will enhance the overall marketing effort of the Bank.