First Merchants is seeking an SBL Closing Specialist III to join our team! This position is responsible for all aspects of the closing process from approval through funding while maintaining accurate and complete files that meets all SBA and internal bank requirements. This role will manage, coach, mentor and develop staff while also serving as the lead trainer and protocol developer as needed.
As part of this role you will:
- Intermediate knowledge of SBA SOP
- Knowledge and understanding of Bank Loan Closing Process
- Responsible for being compliant with all regulations and compliance requirements pertaining to job function.
- Organize files in accordance with the file folder hierarchy
- Conduct communication with customers and applicable third parties to facilitate the gathering and synthesis of all relevant and necessary information
- Analyzes the file and prepares the closing checklist based upon the loan approval and loan type
- Run and review all relevant third-party reports and search for available data on public websites as necessary to support the loan presentation including OFAC, SAMS, CAVIRS
- Orders appraisal, environmental, business valuations, and equipment appraisals
- Orders title work for real estate property from the Title Company
- Review closing documentation such as Articles, Operating Agreement, and Business Licenses
- Prepares IRS 8821 Forms and orders tax transcripts from the IRS
- Reviews insurance certificates for bank and SBA
- Orders flood determinations, lien, judgement and suit searches
- Prepares loan closing documents in LaserPro
- Effectively manage time and priorities to meet deadlines, dealing with multiple loan requests simultaneously in a time-sensitive environment.
- Maintain a superior level of customer service with both external and internal customer and favorably represent the Bank to such customers
- Upon receipt of a loan package, will review, analyze, and determine closing requirements
- Review and provide initial feedback to Underwriter on documents such as purchase agreements and leases
- Files UCC to perfect bank’s lien position on business asset collateral
- Review of Title Commitment and Closing Statement
- Regularly completes all loan file due diligence
- Assists other team members with pre-close file reviews
- Ability to determine what is required to perfect security interest in collateral and determine when loan is ready to close
- Negotiate Landlord Waivers while meeting SBA requirements and maintain collateral security for the bank
- Works on larger/more complex loans
- Manages, coaches, mentors, and develops assigned staff
- Assists with developing department procedures and protocols
- Carry out such other duties as may be assigned or requested
To be successful in this position, we require the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or relevant field
- 7+ years of related experience
- Demonstrated management, leadership and coaching skills
- LaserPro experience
- Flexibility and adaptability/collaboration skills
- Excellent listening skills and coachability
- An ability to problem-solve and think proactively
- Proficient with Microsoft Office – Word, Outlook, Excel
- Strong Critical thinking, problem solving, and excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple loan submissions/tasks in various stages simultaneously
First Merchants offers the following:
- Base Pay PLUS Bonuses
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 401k
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Vacation/Sick Time
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Additional Benefits
A little about us:
First Merchants is guided by a genuine philosophy of being a meaningful place to work and having a prosperous impact across all walks of life throughout the communities we serve, including consumers, businesses and other organizations. Our Vision, Mission and Team statement reflect and reinforce that authentic service philosophy.
Our Vision is:
To enhance the financial wellness of the diverse communities we serve.
Our Mission is:
To be the most responsive, knowledgeable, and high-performing financial organization for our clients, teammates, and shareholders.
Our Team:
"We are a collection of dynamic colleagues with diverse experiences and perspectives who share a passion for positively impacting lives. We are genuinely committed to attracting and engaging teammates of diverse backgrounds. We believe in the power of inclusion and belonging."
Apply today to begin your career with us!
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a relevant field
- 7+ years of related experience
- Demonstrated management, leadership, and coaching skills
- LaserPro experience
- Flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration skills
- Excellent listening skills and coachability
- Ability to problem-solve and think proactively
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, and Excel
- Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, written communication, and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple loan submissions and tasks simultaneously
- Intermediate knowledge of SBA SOP
- Knowledge and understanding of the bank loan closing process
First Merchants Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about First Merchants Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by First Merchants Corporation.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with employer match and an employee stock purchase plan that are presented as meaningful components of total rewards. These elements are highlighted as strengths relative to other benefit components.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off provisions include PTO, bank holidays, bereavement, paid parental leave, and paid volunteer time. These elements can help offset concerns about base pay in some roles.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is explicitly offered and positioned alongside PTO and holidays to support family needs. This support contributes to a more balanced work–life setup.
First Merchants Corporation Insights
What We Do
First Merchants Corporation is the largest financial services holding company in Central Indiana, headquartered in Muncie, Indiana. The Corporation has one full-service bank charter, First Merchants Bank. The Bank also operates as First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors (as a division of First Merchants Bank). First Merchants Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FRME. First Merchants offers customers broad financial services throughout locations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan providing: • Commercial Banking (business) – checking, treasury management, card services, financing, loans, electronic banking, online and mobile banking. • Personal Banking (consumer) – checking, savings, CDs, mortgages, loans, IRAs, HSAs, online and mobile banking. • Private Wealth Advisors - trusts, investments, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, profit sharing plans, pension plans, cross-tested plans, cash balance plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, IRAs, SEP IRAs, and succession planning. First Merchants is committed to customers by: • Developing strong relationships. o As financial advisors – our professionals listen and provide solutions o The tenure of our professionals averages eight years, meaning you will enjoy continuity of service o We hire local professionals from the communities we serve • Customers benefit from local decision making. o Decisions are made faster o The process is streamlined, with each customer having a single point of contact. o Our financial professionals are empowered to develop tailored solutions. • The local communities we serve benefit from First Merchants’ involvement and support.
