Bankruptcy/Credit Reporting Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time

Exemption Type: Non-Exempt

Wage Amount: $19 hourly minimum

Our Risk Management Department is growing and we are in need of a Bankruptcy/Credit Reporting Specialist. Your role will be to provide risk management for the Credit Union by monitoring loans in bankruptcy and research issues related to credit reporting.

The primary purpose of this position is to assist the Credit Union in achieving its mission to be our members’ first choice partner to help them make informed financial decisions. Your role in achieving this mission will be to provide outstanding service to both internal team members and the Credit Union membership base. You will work under general supervision in accordance with established policies and procedures to provide risk management for the credit union. Your position supports a member service and cross-help culture and maintains a working knowledge of all services and operations of the Credit Union.

Bankruptcy

• Receive and process all bankruptcy notifications.
• Obtain and verify new bankruptcy information using PACER.
• Monitor loans in bankruptcy to ensure that members are in compliance with bankruptcy plans and that the credit union adheres to state, federal, and bankruptcy court guidelines and timeframes.
• Investigates loans for potential fraud or other justification to challenge inclusion in bankruptcy cases.
• Prepare and file proof of claim documents.
• Prepare reaffirmation agreements and send them to attorneys. File signed reaffirmation agreements with courts.
• Review bankruptcy plans and object as necessary.
• Review bankruptcy accounts to determine if additional steps should be taken to protect the interest of the credit union, including working with outside counsel to file motions for lifts of stay.
• Receive and post trustee payments.
• Preparing TDR (Troubled Debt Restructure) documents and account updates.
• Monitor loans for post-petition defaults. Negotiate with attorneys to develop strategies for repayment arrangements with members. Follow up on consent orders.
• Prepare and send bankruptcy deficiency balance letters.
• Review, audit, get approvals, and process invoices.
• Handle bankruptcy correspondence, phone calls, and email ensuring prompt follow up.
• Attend hearings for bankruptcy cases as necessary.

Credit Report Research

• Ability to read and interpret credit reports.
• Research issues related to credit reporting for dispute resolution and provide updates to the applicable credit reporting agency(s) and other requestors as needed.
• Process credit report corrections.
• Handle credit reporting correspondence, phone calls, and email ensuring prompt follow up.
• Update credit reporting on settlement accounts.
• Respond to consumer dispute verifications and related member complaints.

Legal

• Prepare files for legal action, ensuring all required procedures and paperwork are accurate, complete, and in accordance with guidelines and applicable state laws.
• Assist in determining the location of members.
• Research deceased accounts to search for estates and file claims.
• Review judgment documents or accuracy, obtaining signatures, notarizing, and sending to attorneys.
• Review and make recommendations to management on judgment settlement offers.
• Review all outside counsel invoices for accuracy/resolving any discrepancies. Provide invoices to Management for approval.
• File small claims suits.
• Attend hearings when necessary.
• Receive payments and provide instructions for posting to accounts.
• Update credit reporting on attorney settlements.
• Assist in determination of member whereabouts utilizing all skip-tracing tools

For more information about our hiring process and benefits, visit our Careers page at: www.aplusfcu.org/careers

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or G.E.D equivalent required
• One year of bankruptcy experience required (within a financial institution preferred)
• Two years consumer finance or collections experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of collection procedures, laws and guidelines, bankruptcy law and code, and lending laws and procedures.
• Account research, problem solving skills, dealing with conflict, and managing expectations.
• Ability to navigate with ease between multiple browsers, internet, intranet, and several proprietary systems in gathering and relaying information.
• Fluency in MS Office Suite.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Basic math/accounting/financial analysis skills.
• Ability to work in a paperless environment.
• Understanding of loan contracts including APR, amortization schedules, and simple interest calculations.
• Knowledgeable of credit unions products and services.

Desirable Traits:

• Pleasant and professional appearance.
• Enjoys working with the public using a courteous, professional approach.
• Flexible working hours.
• Dependable.
• Organizer and planner.
• Decision-making abilities.
• Versatile in all aspects of the credit union.

Physical Functions

• Must have the ability/stamina to work at least 40 hours a week
• Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, finely manipulate, and key in data
• Must be able to communicate heavily through telephone, email, and written communication.
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues that arise.