Direct Lending Funding Specialist

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

THE DETAILS

Job Code:

12133

Grade:

18H

Status:

Non-exempt

POSITION AND PURPOSE

The Funding Specialist is an advanced consumer lending professional responsible for end-to-end application support, complex loan processing, final audit, documentation validation, compliance review, funding execution, booking validation, and funding exception resolution. Building on the full processing skill set, this role serves as the final quality and control checkpoint before loan proceeds are released. The Funding Specialist protects the member and Credit Union by ensuring consumer loans are complete, accurate, properly executed, compliant, and funded timely in accordance with established authority, policies, procedures, and service expectations

WHO WE ARE

Golden 1 Credit Union is among the top credit unions in the country. As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, Golden 1 is guided by the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” We are committed to empowering our members and uplifting our communities as we create a more equitable and financially inclusive California. We welcome all who embrace our Core Values.

WHO YOU ARE

You are an advanced consumer lending professional who combines strong processing expertise with careful quality review, sound risk judgment, and a sense of urgency. You can independently manage complex applications, identify subtle documentation or compliance issues, resolve funding barriers, communicate clear requirements to business partners, and make accurate funding decisions within established authority.

THE WORK

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The Funding Specialist performs all core processing functions, excluding dedicated call-center queue responsibilities, and adds specialized ownership for final loan audit, funding, booking validation, exception resolution, and fulfillment quality across consumer lending products.

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Advanced Application Processing and Member Support

• Perform the full range of Processor I, Processor II, and Processor III processing functions, including application review, document preparation, fulfillment coordination, complex troubleshooting, escalation support, and member follow-up when needed to complete a transaction.
• Process complex consumer lending transactions, including unsecured, vehicle, RV, powersports, dealer purchase, and private-party loans, within established authority.
• Review application, membership, collateral, title, payoff, insurance, vesting, contract, and supporting documentation requirements for completeness and accuracy.
• Provide advanced guidance to processors and internal partners regarding documentation, fulfillment readiness, and funding requirements.

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Final Audit, Quality, and Compliance Review

• Perform the final audit and quality review of consumer loan files before funding and booking.
• Validate loan terms, approvals, stipulations, signatures, dates, collateral information, vesting, disbursement instructions, required disclosures, and supporting documents.
• Identify defects, inconsistencies, control gaps, potential risk indicators, and noncompliant conditions; resolve or escalate concerns before funds are released.
• Maintain documentation and audit evidence sufficient to support quality assurance, regulatory review, and operational accountability.

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Funding and Booking Execution

• Execute funding and disbursement activities accurately and timely across assigned consumer lending products.
• Validate payees, proceeds, payoff information, member disbursements, account information, and booking details before completing the transaction.
• Prioritize funding-ready loans and urgent transactions according to established service levels and business priorities.
• Confirm successful booking and identify or correct post-funding discrepancies in partnership with appropriate operational teams.

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Funding Exceptions and Escalation Resolution

• Research and resolve complex funding exceptions, documentation deficiencies, system issues, failed disbursements, and booking discrepancies.
• Coordinate resolution with Processing, Underwriting, Retail, MSCC, Loan Servicing, Collections, Fraud Prevention, Compliance, and other partners.
• Communicate clear requirements, status, ownership, and next steps for unresolved funding matters.
• Escalate policy exceptions, suspected fraud, material compliance concerns, or risks outside assigned authority.

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Subject Matter Expertise and Continuous Improvement

• Serve as a subject matter expert for final audit, documentation, funding, booking, and fulfillment controls.
• Mentor processors and support teams on funding readiness, common defects, documentation standards, and corrective actions.
• Participate in user acceptance testing, procedure reviews, automation, workflow improvements, and implementation of new lending products or services.
• Analyze recurring defects and exceptions and recommend changes that improve accuracy, control effectiveness, turnaround time, and member experience.

QUALIFICATIONS

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H.S. Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required

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Associate’s Degree in business, finance, accounting, or a related field preferred

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Equivalent relevant experience may be considered

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5+ years of related consumer lending, loan processing, funding, financial services, or regulated operations experience preferred

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Demonstrated experience with complex consumer loan documentation, final audit, funding execution, exception resolution, and operational controls required

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Advanced knowledge of consumer lending products, application processing, loan documentation, collateral, vesting, funding, booking, and fulfillment controls.

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Ability to independently review complex loan files, identify defects and risk, and determine funding readiness within established authority.

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Strong analytical, reconciliation, problem-solving, documentation, and escalation-management skills.

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Ability to balance quality, risk, service levels, and production priorities in a high-volume environment.

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Proficiency with loan origination, document, disbursement, workflow, reporting, and knowledge-management systems.

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Strong written and verbal communication skills for explaining requirements and coordinating resolutions with members and business partners.

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None required

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Takes Initiative - Owns tasks and responsibilities 

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Delivers Results with Agility - Meets deadlines and adapts

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Collaborates Across Teams - Works well within the team Solves Problems Proactively

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Handles day-to-day challenges Builds Trust and Credibility - Demonstrates reliability 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTACTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

INTERNAL:

Managers, Supervisors, branch staff, Member Services, Vehicle Services, back-office staff, peers, and all levels of leadership.

EXTERNAL:

Members, dealerships, and finance companies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work time includes weekend and after-hours time, based on organizational needs. This position works in-office where working conditions, lighting, temperature, audio, and workspace are all sufficient.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires the ability to constantly operate a computer and the ability to read, type, and communicate. Work may require the ability to move work-related supplies weighing up to 10-15 pounds.

DISCLAIMER/INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by team members within this classification. Because the nature of positions and job functions can change over time, this job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all essential functions, duties, responsibilities and qualifications requirements of team members assigned to this job. Job duties may be changed or modified in the Credit Union’s discretion. The Credit Union will keep team members updated on key functions, duties, and requirements of their position by communications from the Credit Union and by updating the job description from time to time. Any team member with questions about the nature of their job duties is encouraged to consult with their supervisor.

DECLARATION/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This job description outlines the essential functions and physical/mental requirements necessary to perform this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.