Vice President Real Estate Lending presso Tower Federal Credit Union

The Vice President, Real Estate Lending provides visionary leadership and strategic direction for Tower Federal Credit Union’s real estate lending business. Overseeing sales, operations, quality assurance & compliance, and secondary marketing teams, the VP ensures that every aspect of the lending function reflects Tower’s mission to promote the financial well-being of our members while upholding our values of integrity, member focus, collaboration, and innovation.

The VP, Real Estate Lending is responsible for designing and executing forward-looking strategies to originate and expand first mortgage and home equity products through retail and referral sales channels, as well as correspondent lending partnerships. This role emphasizes continuous innovation in product design, service delivery, and member experience, ensuring Tower remains competitive in a dynamic marketplace while optimizing portfolio growth, profitability, and risk management.

As the lead executive for real estate lending, the VP directs real estate lending origination activities across the Credit Union, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, alignment with internal policies, and the consistent achievement of high-performance standards. The VP also evaluates and enhances service delivery channels - including retail, referral, and correspondent channels - ensuring they evolve with member/customer expectations and market conditions. Through this leadership, the VP is accountable for meeting annual, quarterly, and long-term lending goals, while driving sustainable growth and reinforcing Tower’s reputation as a trusted financial partner.

The VP, Real Estate Lending also oversees all secondary market activities, regulatory compliance functions, lending policy development, automated lending systems, reporting, vendor management, and third-party lending relationships. Vendor responsibilities include conducting due diligence, monitoring performance, and ensuring contractual, regulatory, and risk management standards are consistently met.

In addition, the VP plays a critical role in Tower’s enterprise-wide compliance framework, serving as a Compliance Team Leader and/or Team Member. In these capacities, the VP ensures adherence to requirements established by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). As Team Leader, the VP provides annual attestations on the effectiveness of applicable compliance policies and procedures. As Team Member, the VP actively supports compliance initiatives under the guidance of the designated Team Leader.

By championing innovation, cultivating high-performing teams, and aligning lending strategies with Tower’s mission, the VP, Real Estate Lending strengthens member relationships and drives long-term organizational success.

Provides strategic leadership and direction for the Credit Union’s real estate lending function, including sales, operations, quality assurance & compliance, and secondary marketing ensuring efficiency, profitability, and service excellence.

Develops and maintains multiple delivery channels for the origination and purchase of mortgage and home equity loans, including retail and referral originators, realtor networks, correspondent partners, and other third-parties.

Designs and executes strategies to achieve portfolio growth, volume, and income goals as outlined in annual and multi-year business plans, ensuring product mix, yield, and risk management are optimized for member value and organizational success.

Provides executive oversight for all real estate loan products, secondary market activities ensuring compliance with Federal and state regulations, internal policies, and investor requirements. Acts as the primary liaison with secondary market investors, including GSEs.

Directs and evaluates origination, underwriting, processing, closing, post closing, reporting, quality assurance and compliance to ensure operational efficiency, quality control, and a seamless member experience. Establishes and monitors performance standards, benchmarks, and incentive goals for the real estate lending staff in coordination with Human Resources.

Oversees regulatory compliance for all real estate lending including loan forms, applications, delivery systems, disclosures, and policies. As a Compliance Team Leader, provides annual attestation on the effectiveness of assigned compliance policies and procedures; as a Team Member, fulfills responsibilities as directed by the designated Team Leader.

Studies operational and market trends, performs research and analysis, and makes recommendations on products, pricing, delivery channels, and technology enhancements. Implements tactical and strategic initiatives approved by senior leadership and ALCO.

Collaborates with other Vice Presidents, Marketing, and branch/remote service teams to coordinate promotional activities, referral programs, and service delivery platforms, ensuring consistent member engagement and achievement of loan growth and retention goals.

Manages relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, including due diligence, contract negotiation, performance monitoring, and compliance with regulatory and risk management standards.

Serves as the Senior Real Estate Underwriter with oversight of lending authority limits, loan approvals, and appeals processes in coordination with the SVP/Chief Lending Officer and Board of Directors.

Provides executive leadership for staffing, talent development, coaching, performance management, and succession planning across real estate lending. Promotes a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence.

Monitors internal and external real estate lending environments, evaluates member satisfaction, and makes timely recommendations to senior management and the Board of Directors to ensure Tower remains competitive and member-focused

Coordinates preparation of operational, compliance, and financial reporting to senior management and the Board, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.

Maintains registration and compliance with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) in accordance with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act).

Performs other duties as assigned by the Senior Vice President, Lending, or the President/CEO, and contributes to enterprise-wide initiatives that support Tower’s mission and long-term strategic goals

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college in Business or Finance preferred.

Eight (8) years of progressive experience in mortgage lending, with demonstrated expertise in origination, underwriting, processing, servicing, secondary marketing, and regulatory compliance. Experience in loan product development, implementation, and market expansion necessary.

Five (5) years in a senior management role with proven success in staff development, coaching, succession planning, and building high-performing, collaborative teams.

Eight (8) years of progressive experience in mortgage lending, with demonstrated expertise in origination, underwriting, processing, servicing, secondary marketing, and regulatory compliance. Experience in loan product development, implementation, and market expansion necessary.

Demonstrated success in sales and/or relationship management roles, with accountability for achieving growth and profitability goals.

In-depth knowledge of real estate lending regulations, investor guidelines, and compliance requirements, including those issued by the NCUA and CFPB.

Strong strategic planning and execution skills, with the ability to analyze market trends, evaluate risks, and recommend innovative lending strategies aligned with organizational goals.

Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across executive, board, and external stakeholder groups

Vendor management experience, including contract negotiation, performance oversight, and compliance with risk management standards.

Current registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), with compliance maintained in accordance with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act).

Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Ability to effectively work with mathematical concepts that apply to profitability, trend analysis, variance analysis and correlation.

Ability to create and format word processing and spreadsheet documents, including graphs.

Ability to operate Microsoft office applications (i.e. Word and Excel).

Ability to understand and analyze financial, technical and operational data, and develop reasonable conclusions-recommendations based on analysis.

Ability to apply basic accounting rules, budgets and procedures.

Ability to operate PC in an Internet environment and to assist others with such operations.

Ability to become proficient in the front and back-end operations and administration of lending delivery platforms.

Current knowledge of principles, procedures, methods, and techniques in credit-portfolio management.

Highly preferred: knowledge and experience with rate setting, asset/liability management, secondary market activity, loan servicing and title/settlement services.

Ability to read, analyze and accurately interpret/apply business periodicals, professional journals and government regulations articles and emerging issues to support Real Estate lending and title company decision making and operations.

Demonstrated ability to motivate staff, maintain and reinforce morale, and build a collaborative work team environment.

Ability to write technical reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals for a diverse audience.

Ability to make persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to employee groups, Senior Management, the Board of Directors and groups outside of Tower Federal operations.

Ability to develop practical solutions for problems with abstract variables in ambiguous or novel situations.

Ability to define problems, assemble data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Ability to identify cause and affect relationships to evaluate risks versus potential return.

Ability to promptly resolve member/staff issues and problems related to all applicable delivery systems.

Ability to effectively negotiate.

Ability to initiate long and short term planning that supports credit union business plans.

Ability to allocate and manage resources effectively, within budget parameters.

Ability to prioritize diverse job assignments and meet established deadlines.

Ability to successfully manage multiple complex projects.

Ability to develop action plans and organize workload, of self and others, to accommodate competing deadlines and projects.

Ability to work effectively under stress and arrive at work routinely and promptly.

Ability to resolve controversial or delicate matters skillfully and on a timely basis.

Ability to provide constructive feedback and coaching to others.

Ability to motivate and influence others to take action.

Ability to function as a competent professional, interacting with outside vendors, financial institutions, auditors and regulators.

Ability to interact effectively and pro-actively establish- manage collaborative working relationships with staff, colleagues, and management.

Ability to effectively represent TFCU to members and/or with industry groups.

Ability to facilitate group discussion and gain consensus.

Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.

Has knowledge of and adheres to credit union policies and procedures and all regulations related to the bank Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act and OFAC.

Ability to work the hours needed which may extend beyond the defined work schedule when operating conditions dictate.

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs., with or without assistance, in compliance with ADA.

Ability to maneuver in/out of offices and facilities (public and private), meet with vendors and service providers, both scheduled and unplanned, at off-site locations.

Ability to work and travel independently, on an ongoing basis, and at varying hours. 

Ability to effectively communicate verbally, either independently or with minimal accommodation.