Fair Banking Officer – Pittsfield, MA

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Division: Risk Management

Department: Compliance

Reports to: SVP, CRA & Fair Lending

Status: Exempt / Officer

Grade: 9

Salary Range: $52,000 – $103,330

Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, prior relevant experience, and specific work location.

Location: Hybrid within MA, CT, NY, VT, RI

Purpose/Objective:

Assists the SVP CRA/Fair Lending Officer in overseeing the Bank’s Fair Lending and Community Reinvestment activities and in developing, managing and administering a wide variety of programs to ensure the company is meeting the needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and MMCT markets. Helps develop and implement a Fair Banking Program that will help the Bank meet/exceed goals to achieve and maintain, at the minimum, a satisfactory CRA rating from the Fed/Massachusetts Division of Banks. The VP Fair Banking Officer will assist each region in the performance of the various programs to help meet Bank goals in residential and small business lending as well as manage the CRA reporting and oversee quality control. The position will also help track, trend and report lending to keep the Bank on task to reach its fair lending goals. The position is the liaison between the regional managers and the residential and commercial lending teams regarding fair banking and lending efforts. Leads, promotes and manages the Bank’s fair lending FLEX program. Provides input to senior management regarding branch expansion and closure. Ensure accurate records of bank employee CRA-related volunteer work are being maintained. The main software program used by this department will also create reports, as requested, to assess outreach and loans to both minority applicants as well as majority minority census tracts. This data will be used by the Bank to determine if they are reaching all populations in an effort to be the regions most socially responsible bank.

Key Accountabilities:

• Strategically assists in leading the Bank’s CRA and Fair Lending FLEX program. Works with SVP CRA and Fair Lending Officer to proactively achieve satisfactory ratings in regulatory exams.
• Assists in reporting the Bank’s progress under the CRA and FLEX programs
• Collaborate with product development and marketing teams to ensure inclusive access and non-discriminatory practices. Manages the import of monthly CRA extract files of new CRA loans and modifications and import quarterly HMDA files. Eliminate errors and ensure quality control by collaborating with proper business lines. Ensure community development loans include appropriate descriptions as to their community development nature.
• Assist CRA/Fair Lending Officer in preparing for quarterly CRA/FLEX meetings. Including preparing data analysis and slide decks as well as recording minutes.
• Work with Regional Managers and local Market Managers as applicable to communicate lending and investment needs that help meet the lending needs of low- and moderate-income households.
• Interact with community leaders (both public and private) to assess community credit needs, building relationships with local housing and community service agencies. Coordinate training (i.e. classes, programs, and seminars) that is deemed to be needed in the various regions for such things as first-time home buyers, credit counseling, financial literacy, etc.
• Prepare banks statistics to track adequate loan penetration of low- and moderate-income households and small businesses.
• Prepare bank data to track adequate loan penetration (including applications taken) from minority borrowers and minority and women-owned businesses.
• Maintain relevant CRA reports and files, including data and documentation. This includes but is not limited to loans and/or deposits
• Work closely with Complaints department to track all CRA public file complaints and complaints that include language around discrimination, as well as any UDAAP complaints
• Data collection of a wide variety of reports (including HMDA & CRA), collect data and provide comprehensive reports to management and to the regulators as to the programs in effect, the success of the programs and how the company may data mine to improve programs or develop new programs that fall within CRA monitoring.
• Execute programs and maintain and provide on-going training and support to each region in all areas affecting CRA and HMDA as well as fair lending.
• Report, as needed, to the DE&I Committee data that will help the Bank determine if there are demographics of the population that are being excluded from bank credit.
• Import and report on all AI functions from all 3rd party partners to determine statistical findings in underwriting or pricing when considering the Bank’s traditional factors of approving and pricing loans.
• Work closely with Compliance Team to assist in any policy or regulatory changes that impact Fair Banking.
• Provide training and guidance to business units on fair banking principles and regulatory expectations.
• May serve as a liaison with regulators during fair lending examinations and inquiries.
• Ensures compliance with all banking laws, rules, regulations, and prescribed policies/practices/procedures necessary to reduce risk and uphold ethical standards related to and required by one’s duties.

education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
• Ongoing CRA and mortgage and/or Deposits training to stay current with laws and regulations

Experience:

• Minimum of 2-4 years’ experience in the CRA or Fair Lending field or related area of affordable housing and community development
• Experience working for a performance driven organization, including leading initiatives with measured sales results

Skills & Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of regulations that impact CRA or Fair Lending
• Knowledge of laws pertaining to mortgage and/or deposits
• High level sales and public relations skills
• Excellent communication (verbal/written), public speaking and relationship building skills
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting
• Superior computer skills in Microsoft Office products, including Power Point
• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Self-motivated; able to work independently

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Berkshire Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, need assistance completing the Application process, or would like to request alternative methods of applying, please contact us at hr@berkshirebank.com.