Appraisal & Collection Specialist - Arkadelphia, AR

Who We Are:

Southern Bancorp is more than a bank. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a special certificate on designated for institutions that serve predominantly underserved communities, Southern Bancorp combines traditional banking and lending services with financial development tools and public policy advocacy to help families and communities grow stronger. Inspired by the principle that building net worth drives economic opportunity, our mission is to be wealth builders for everyone in the communities we serve, with a focus on low-wealth and un(der)banked populations, as well as an emphasis on Black and Brown individuals.

The Appraiser & Collection Specialist is responsible for initiating contact, by phone or in person, with significantly delinquent customers to arrange payment or resolve any outstanding balances. This role also involves working with vendors to ensure Southern Bancorp collateral is located and retrieved from customers unwilling to pay.

• Oversees delinquent accounts, including reviewing status, initiating or negotiating payment arrangements, and ensuring proper documentation of correspondence.
• Monitors files to ensure compliance with government, investor, and insurer regulations, as well as the timeliness and accuracy of processes; recommends necessary actions to minimize or prevent loss.
• Reviews, analyzes, and recommends action plans to minimize losses and reports risk rating downgrades.
• Works to ensure Southern Bancorp collateral is located and retrieved as needed, either through direct customer contact or a collection vendor.
• Coordinates asset sales and other collection and recovery activities to maximize repayment; picks up and delivers repossessed vehicles as needed.
• Coordinates title insurance, appraisals, and liquidation of collateral with vendors.
• Assists outside counsel in processing legal actions (e.g., bankruptcies, civil suits) to ensure prompt resolution.
• Aids in the liquidation of problem loans and loans in bankruptcy.
• Orders appraisals for the West Region and reviews appraisals and in-house evaluations up to $250,000 for the West Region.
• Serves as the Fresh Start Loan Coordinator for the West Region.
• Participates in a team effort to cross-sell other banking services.
• Assists with monitoring and inspecting repossessions and ORE (Other Real Estate) properties.
• Completes all required training.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• An Associate's degree.
• A minimum of three years of experience in real estate, appraisal, collections, or insurance.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to organize, multitask, and meet deadlines.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to comprehend written material and perform basic mathematical calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, and Excel).
• Excellent negotiation skills.

• Collections experience in the banking or financial industry is a plus.
• Knowledge of Fair Debt Collection Practices, Repossession Regulations, and Bankruptcy laws is preferred.
  
  

Physical Demand & Work Environment: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#LI-Onsite

What we offer our employees:

A positive impact on Your Future:

• 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6%
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Discounted rate on primary home mortgage
• Credit and housing counseling as well as free financial education tools available to customers and employees

Benefits to improve your health:

• No deductible medical insurance plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts

The opportunity to nurture your well-being:

• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Bonus plan
• Opportunity for merit raises
• Employee reward and recognition programs
• Community service opportunities

Southern Bancorp is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

As a Community Development Financial Institution, Southern Bancorp desires its workforce to reflect the diversity of the customers and communities that we serve. Racial and ethnic minorities, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people are often underrepresented in many financial service industry professions. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.