At OakStar, strong relationships are at the heart of everything we do—including how we work together. Since 2005, we’ve grown from a single location in Springfield, Missouri, into a trusted, multi-state financial institution serving communities across Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado. As an SBA Preferred Lender and a recognized leader in small business banking, our work supports local economies and meaningful growth—giving our team members the opportunity to make real, visible impact through their roles.
Working at OakStar means joining a fast-paced, collaborative, and supportive team guided by our SERVE values—stewardship, empathy, responsiveness, vision, and empowerment. We’re committed to service excellence, giving back to our communities, and fostering a workplace where team members are supported. Current comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, as well as 401(k), 401(k) match, paid time off, and paid holidays.
Position Summary
The Loan Assistant Specialist is responsible for partnering closely with the Loan Assistant Coordinator to ensure coverage for the Loan Assistant function. The Loan Assistant Specialist possesses the knowledge, technical skills, and customer service competencies necessary to provide exceptional support to lenders and clients while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational excellence. The Loan Assistant Specialist provides administrative support to the loan department by assisting in the processing, documentation, and servicing of various loans at various locations.
Essential Duties
- Provide temporary Loan Assistant coverage during staffing gaps, such as vacations and leave.
- Support continuity of operations during transitional periods, ensuring work is completed in accordance with procedures and compliance standards.
- Work closely with the Loan Assistant Coordinator to establish processes and efficiencies for Loan Assistant coverage.
- Promote consistency in loan documentation, workflow execution, and customer service practices across all lending locations.
- Assist in preparing loan documentation, including loan applications, promissory notes, and disclosures.
- Ensure that all required documents are accurately completed, signed, and stored.
- Review loan applications for completeness and accuracy before submission to the loan officer for further processing.
- Coordinate with borrowers and loan officers to ensure that necessary documentation (e.g., income verification, credit reports, property appraisals) is obtained and submitted.
- Input loan data into the loan management system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Track loan applications throughout the approval process, ensuring that all documentation is provided and required conditions are met.
- Update loan files with relevant information, including status updates, additional documents, and payment records.
- Ensure that all loan files (both electronic and paper) are maintained in compliance with bank policies and regulatory standards.
- Help deliver system training related to loan origination systems, document preparation software, imaging systems, document management systems, and core banking applications for Loan Assistants.
Secondary Duties
The Loan Assistant Specialist performs duties specific to the position and other functions and duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with all bank policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal banking regulations.
- Ensure the confidentiality and security of customer information, bank information, proprietary information, and sensitive information.
- Treat people with respect, keep commitments, inspire the trust of others, work ethically and with integrity, uphold the bank’s values, and accept responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to EEO policy, show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences, educate others on the value of diversity, promote a working environment free of harassment of any type, and value a diverse workforce.
- Follow policies and procedures, complete tasks accurately and on time, support the bank’s goals and values, and benefit the bank through outside activities.
- Complete all required training and policy reviews within established timeframes.
- Perform the position safely, without endangering the health or safety of yourself or others, and report potentially unsafe conditions to management. Comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to the OSHA Act of 1970 that are applicable to one’s position at the bank.
- Possess and maintain a current driver's license and a vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage. Both are required to drive while performing assigned duties and responsibilities.
- Possess and maintain adequate skills in computer operation, including email, word processing, spreadsheet, and specialty software programs.
- Possess and maintain adequate typing skills to meet the needs of the position.
- Possess and maintain adequate math skills to meet the needs of the position. This may include the ability to count currency and coin, calculate interest, balance accounts, add, subtract, multiply, and locate routine mathematical errors.
- Practice effective and efficient organizational and time management skills.
- Be able to work with general supervision while performing duties.
- Use effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. This includes the ability to apply common sense when carrying out instructions, interpreting documents, understanding procedures, writing reports and correspondence, and speaking clearly to customers and employees.
- Be able to deal with routine problems involving multiple facets and variables in standardized situations.
Supervisor Responsibilities
This position is not responsible for the supervision of any employee(s).
Classification
This is a non-exempt position meaning this role is paid on an hourly basis. Team members are required to accurately record their time worked and may be eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable laws.
Environmental, Physical & Mental Demands
The environment for this position is primarily a non-confined office-type setting in which employees are free to move about at will. This environment may include some minor annoyances, such as noise, odors, drafts, temperatures, etc.
Physical demands include writing, typing, speaking, listening, lifting (up to 25 pounds), driving, carrying, seeing (such as close, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusted focus), sitting, walking, standing, squatting, kneeling, and reaching.
Mental demands include analytical reasoning, reading and understanding documents or instruments, performing detailed work, following directions, problem solving, providing effective customer or employee communication, performing accurate math calculations, understanding language, engaging in effective verbal and written communication, enduring stress, conducting multiple concurrent tasks, and withstanding constant interruptions.
Physical and mental demands also include correct usage of the following equipment: telephones, cellular phones, copy and fax machines, adding machines or calculators, encoders, money counters, credit card terminals, postage machines, cash recyclers, vaults, computers, and related printers.
Physical demands may also include occasional travel to other OakStar Bank locations, training locations, operational locations, and customer locations.
Work environment characteristics, physical demands, and mental demands are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job and represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the job in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
These qualifications are general guidelines normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this position. The specifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform the position in a satisfactory manner. Individual abilities may result in some deviations from these qualifications.
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or related field preferred.
- 1+ years of experience in loan processing, loan administration, banking, finance, or a related field.
- Familiarity with loan products, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
- Experience with loan management systems or banking software.
- Familiarity with loan origination and servicing systems.
- Basic understanding of banking regulations and compliance requirements related to lending, such as RESPA, TILA, and ECOA.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in all aspects of loan documentation.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Strong customer service skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with borrowers and internal teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work overtime to assist customers, support team members, or meet deadlines.
The duties and responsibilities described in this position description are representative of the work performed but are not intended to be all-inclusive. Management reserves the right to modify this position description at any time according to business needs and in accordance with applicable laws.
