Sr. Servicing Specialist (Escrow Loan Servicing)

Salem Five is a growing regional financial services organization with a rich history of over 160 years. As an independent bank, we are deeply rooted in the communities we serve and offer our employees successful and rewarding careers.

This position requires the ability to work in the Salem, MA offices.

HIRING BONUS: This position is eligible for a $2,500 hiring bonus for new hires only. Speak with a Human Resources representative for more information.

Who We Are: Join an organization that prioritizes innovation, customer service and supporting the communities we serve. Love the people you work with while participating in and helping to shape our collaborative environment. When you join Salem Five, you become part of a growing, regional financial services company. Salem Five has more than 30 retail banking branches throughout Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties, strong business banking capabilities, an Insurance division, a Wealth Management & Trust organization and a Mortgage Company that has provided homeownership to generations of families.

Why Salem Five: We’ve been around since 1855 – which means we will be around a lot longer – but we also know what it takes to be competitive in this day and age. We pride ourselves in being one of the first banks on the internet and continually try and push ourselves to offer the latest in online and mobile banking to serve our customers in whichever channel they prefer. Whether it be a virtual assistant via our website, obtaining cash at ATMs without a card present, or going through the mortgage process via our digital app, we want to offer the digital experiences that customers want. Continued company growth offers opportunities for individual growth.

Salem Five believes deeply in supporting the communities in which we reside. Donations through our Charitable Foundation or events at the branch or location-level are an important part of our DNA. We would not be the company we are without our commitment to businesses and organizations that help the region thrive and to our employees. Come see what we’re all about.

The ideal candidate will have significant financial experience (math, accounting) and Data analytics experience. This job is all about complex escrow calculations, managing and reconciling large volumes of transactions and payments to municipalities.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provide customer service support for the Loan Operations Department, Closing Department and closing agents by answering incoming telephone calls, servicing walk-in customers and responding to letters received.

Ensure that real estate tax payments are made to the municipalities in accordance with their due dates.

Order escrow files from CoreLogic, match reports from Fiserv DNA; verify map and parcel information; run in update mode to update disbursement status and prepare accounts for disbursement.

Initiate and balance the tax disbursement runs to ensure their accuracy before customer accounts are affected and payments are mailed. Verify system-generated checks prior to mailing.

Contact Real Estate Tax authorities for required tax payment information such as tax due dates, tax bill amounts and tax title amounts. Research customer problems with municipalities concerning the application of real estate tax payments.

Use the SMARTweb system from CoreLogic to verify information, input information or update information in their systems.

Receive and review, as necessary, delinquent tax reports from CoreLogic, mail notices to customers. Continue follow up with customers or tax authorities to ensure delinquent taxes get paid.

Work with the Default Management Department to review and research tax arrearage payments resulting from bankruptcy and foreclosure.

Work with Modification team to verify tax information and escrow plans for accounts affected.

Work with CoreLogic to research and resolve exception items and problems, including incorrect property descriptions, map, parcel, contract number or other identifying information.

Assist with Coordinating annual aggregate escrow analysis for real estate tax customers as required by RESPA. Review system generated refund checks prior to mailing. Respond in detail to numerous customer inquiries related to annual aggregate escrow analysis. Handle shortage payments and reanalyze accounts as necessary.

Act as liaison with Insurance tracking vendor, reconcile and process hazard and flood insurance bills for payment, including follow-up with customers to obtain bills, resolving billing discrepancies, disbursing escrow funds, preparing and mailing checks and documenting payments in loan file.

Order escrow reports for PMI premium payments. Review those reports, including comparing the information to PMI premium bills. Identify and resolve any issues. Balance the payments and remit the payment to the appropriate PMI Company.

Perform system maintenance for setting up new escrow accounts for Hazard, Flood and Tax Escrow.

Participate with reviewing and follow-up on action reports generated by Insurance tracking vendor for hazard and flood insurance.

Participate in the annual mailings for: escrow analysis, escrow overage checks and pmi notices.

Perform quality control on all new Residential, Consumer and Commercial loan accounts boarded with escrow to ensure data integrity.

Assist with processing mail received relating to hazard and flood insurance, including cancellation notices, reinstatement notices, insurance policies and insurance bills.

Audit all loans with flood insurance to verify compliance with regulations; notify appropriate staff of error and return files for correction; maintain records and follow-up on resolution of errors.

Perform research and resolution for assigned help desk tickets.

Assume other duties as assigned.

Regular attendance is essential to this position.

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or related knowledge/skills base gained through experience required
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong financial/mathematical and analytic ability.
• Must be self-motivated, able to work independently and possess solid decision-making skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel and Word
• Must be comfortable in learning and operating a multitude of computer applications

Skills/Knowledge:

• Must be able to communicate (written and oral) effectively and professionally with federal and state agencies and internal and external customers.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be a strong collaborator with customers and co-workers; focuses on responding to customer inquiries; maintains confidentiality; keeps emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Must be able to strictly adhere to the many Federal and State rules and regulations that relate to all departmental functions.
• Attentiveness to detail is required.
• Proficiently manage an efficient workflow in a multiple task-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Must be well organized and flexible.
• Must be highly productive and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to deal well with a fast-paced environment to meet tight deadlines and maintain high productivity.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands listed are typical of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. We may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform those duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see, hear, read, write, walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel or bend; reach with hands and arms; use office equipment such as computer, telephone, calculator, and fax machine. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Benefits/Incentives: Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, 401k Matching, Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Referral Program, Summer Family Outing, Annual Holiday Reception and more

Salary Range: Competitive Base

Ready to apply? If this job sounds like a fit for you, then click on Apply/Apply Now in this posting. We look forward to talking with you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities