Escrow Team Lead

"Republic Bank believes in the development and advancement of our associates. We offer the opportunity to learn all aspects of the company to prepare for future advancement. Come join our team for a career, not just a job!"

Grade 8

About Republic Bank

Republic Bank's values are built upon making an IMPACT for our clients, our associates and the communities we serve. (IMPACT stands for Innovate for the Future, Make it Easy, Provide Exceptional Service, Acknowledge & Celebrate Success, Commit to Caring and Thrive Together) The associates of Republic Bank are the key to our success as an organization and we value our associates. It's one of the reasons we've been named as one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky for ten years! For more information about the company, please visit www.republicbank.com.

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The Escrow Team Lead is accountable for providing the highest level of customer service to internal and external customers with operational integrity. Primary responsibilities include procurement and payment of assigned lender paid escrowed items, including Homeowners Insurance, Property Taxes, PMI, LPMI, and FHA prior to their due date avoiding all penalties & interest and process force place billings and refunds. This position is responsible for evaluating loans and perform escrow analysis both when requested and annually to ensure all escrowed loans remain compliant. In addition, this position is expected to maintain understanding of departmental processes to provide support and answer questions to others on the team and managing/disbursing the workload of the team.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
* Minimum of 2 years previous experience with Escrow Loan Servicing; in-depth knowledge of tax, escrow analysis and mortgage insurance required.
* Previous supervisor experience preferred.
* Proven experience working in a regulatory or regulated environment required.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) PDF and internet applications.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Process monthly force place billing from 3rd party vendor.
* Monitor and process force place lapse charges.
* Validate PMI set up on new loan and reconcile monthly PMI and force place GLs with the Accounting Department.
* Perform quality control checks on escrow analysis cycle codes and dates, ensuring bank remains within regulatory compliance.
* Respond to payoff quote requests that come to the Escrow proxy regarding escrowed items due within 30 days.
* Process add or remove escrow requests from clients, capturing all required client forms and refunds.
* Maintenance loan when a collateral is released.
* Process 1098 corrections.
* Pay annual life and disability insurance from escrow accounts and various branch cost centers.
* Update escrow interest indexes by states in core system on a yearly basis.
* Perform quality control checks on escrow accounts for properties in states requiring payment of interest on escrow funds.
* Generate annual PMI and FHA disclosures.
* Pay various property taxes via tax media data files.
* Lead/Maintain departmental flood lifecycle, including daily review of new loans, open items, exceptions, and analysis, required minimum insurance coverage calculations, ensuring adherence to regulations and service levels.
* Provide research and response assistance to the Manager in responding to all questions from all periodic reviews/audits by the Compliance and Audit Departments or by outside regulators/auditors.
* Maintain a high degree of cooperation and good rapport with all employees to ensure accurate and efficient operations and service. Resolve complex escrow service issues with peers. Provide leadership to peers on problem resolution methods.
* Adhere to established policies and procedures; Create and amend assigned procedures immediately upon notification of change, addition, or declination request. Create and amend assigned procedures immediately upon new/updated compliance and regulatory factors.
* Participate in internal and external quality control and audit assessments, providing prompt and accurate responses to inquiries made, as well as take immediate action to correct or resolve issues as they are known.
* Exhibit strong leadership presence by engaging staff in modeling and setting clear expectations. Maintain a high level of cooperation and rapport with all associates to ensure accurate and efficient operations and service.
* Assist with training of new associates; deliver components of new associate training and job-specific training courses and progression quizzes as needed.
* Serve as a department subject matter expert regarding policies and procedures; perform periodic procedure review to create/update as needed. Provide training for these tasks as needed.
* Serve as primary backup when manager is out.
* Lead or assist with various departmental projects and submit tickets as needed.
* Maintain a working knowledge of compliance requirements affecting your position and area of responsibilities and actively learn new regulations and assist in the implementation, if required.
* Model and foster behaviors that support the Bank's values and corporate culture creating an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, accountability, and dedication to the organization.
* Willingly perform all other duties and projects as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
* Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills.
* Demonstrates more complex math and/or accounting principles as it relates to Loan Servicing.
* Demonstrates the ability to perform analysis, trend and effectively report data.
* Requires ability to work independently and as a team, under pressure and meet deadlines.
* Ability to problem solve and evaluates a process for both potential risk and efficiency improvement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the associate is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The associate frequently is required to stand or walk. The associate is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, and distance vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
* Travel between Republic Banking facilities may be required including occasional out of town travel.
* Flexible work schedule may include some evenings, weekends and/or overtime.
* Stay abreast of new developments, best practices, and statutory and regulatory changes.

**The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.