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Entry Level Lending Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Consumer Loan Banker

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$36K - $38K/yr

This is a full-time, entry-level position reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending. Only applicants who reside in the Chicago area at the time of application and can agree ...

This is a full-time, entry-level position reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending. Only applicants who reside in the Chicago area at the time of application and can agree ...

... Entry level, Financial Sales, Management Development, Management Trainee, Finance, Full-time, Career, Benefits, Customer experience, Financial Representative, Credit, Leadership, Manager Trainee

... Entry level, Financial Sales, Management Development, Management Trainee, Finance, Full-time, Career, Benefits, Customer experience, Financial Representative, Credit, Leadership, Manager Trainee

Junior Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

... lending technology. We foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and growth, where each person's contributions make a real impact. About the Role We are looking to fill an entry level ...

Purpose The Associate Member Services Officer (MSO) is an entry-level position intended to provide ... Associate MSOs will also begin training in lending and collections at thislevel. Performance ...

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Entry Level Lending information

What is an entry level lending?

An entry level lending job typically involves assisting customers with loan applications, reviewing financial documents, and supporting the loan approval process at banks, credit unions, or other lending institutions. Employees in these roles may work as loan processors, lending assistants, or junior loan officers. They often help gather necessary paperwork, verify applicant information, and communicate with clients about the status of their loans. These positions are great starting points for individuals interested in building a career in finance or banking, as they provide hands-on experience and opportunities for advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level lending professional?

To thrive as an Entry Level Lending professional, you need a basic understanding of financial products, credit analysis, and relevant regulations, often supported by a finance or business degree. Familiarity with loan origination systems, credit scoring tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) software is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you build trust with clients and work efficiently in teams. These skills and qualifications are vital for accurately assessing borrower risk, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering excellent customer service.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level lending professionals, and how can they overcome them?

Entry-level lending professionals often encounter challenges such as learning to evaluate borrower creditworthiness, understanding complex loan products, and managing a high volume of applications. Building strong attention to detail and effective communication skills are key to overcoming these challenges. Many employers provide structured training and mentorship to help new hires adapt and succeed. Proactively seeking guidance from experienced colleagues and staying up to date with lending regulations can also help you excel in this role.

What is the difference between Entry Level Lending vs Entry Level Mortgage Loan Officer?

AspectEntry Level LendingEntry Level Mortgage Loan Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require a finance or business degreeHigh school diploma or equivalent; licensing may be required
Work EnvironmentBank branches, lending institutions, or online platformsMortgage broker offices, banks, or lending companies
Industry UsageUsed broadly across banking and lending sectorsSpecifically focused on mortgage lending
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Lending roles generally involve basic lending activities across various financial products, while Entry Level Mortgage Loan Officers specialize in mortgage loans, often requiring licensing. Both roles serve the lending industry but differ in scope and specific responsibilities.

How to get a job in entry level lending?

To get an entry-level lending job, candidates should have a high school diploma or equivalent, develop strong communication and customer service skills, and gain familiarity with financial products and basic computer software. Internships or relevant coursework in finance or banking can improve chances, and applying through bank websites or job boards is common for entry-level positions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lending jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Lending jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Lending job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Mortgage Community Lending Officer

Citigroup Inc.

Vernon Hills, IL • On-site

$77 - $104/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Citibank rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 179 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 173 rated banks


Job description

The Mortgage Community Lending Officer is an entry level position responsible for driving mortgage sales and client relationships through engagement with community clients, diverse real estate agents, and affordable housing non-profit partners in coordination with the Consumer Product Sales team. The role is directly responsible for the sale of a specific product or product set directly to clients.

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, and wealth management.

Citi Bank Retail Mortgage provides home lending services via our Citibank branches and centralized service centers. The Community Lending Officer role represents the Retail Mortgage business providing superior service to clients and referral partners and is responsible for originating high quality residential real estate loans for clients. This highly interactive role engages internally with retail branch partners, operations, community business development officers. This role drives mortgage sales and client relationships through engagement with clients, real estate agents, and other area referrers.

Responsibilities:

  • Consult with customers about their financial situation, financial and personal objectives and lending needs for the purpose of helping them achieve their home ownership goals.
  • Collect and analyze information about the customer's financial situation, financial and personal goals, tolerance for risk and change, plans for the future, income, assets, debts, cash flow, and credit history.
  • Analyze financial information for customers to make an initial assessment regarding whether the customer and the property may qualify for a particular lending solution.
  • Make recommendations to customers about which lending solutions would best meet the customers' financial and personal objectives
  • Advise customers about the consequences, risks, and benefits of alternative lending solutions.
  • Promote Citi's brand, and promote Citi as the provider for lending and other financial solutions. This includes promoting Citi and its financial services to real estate agencies, builders, other referral sources, and customers.
  • Visit customers outside of Citi's offices, with such visits to vary based on clientele, geography, market conditions, and other factors.
  • Work as a team with all internal partners to support and grow our customers.
  • Refer customers who seek financial services other than lending solutions to the appropriate Citi professionals.
  • Partner with Operations teams to ensure the seamless transfer of the loan application in order to provide documents to the Processors and acquire any additional information needed by the Processors and/or Underwriters.
  • Work with Processors/Closers and customers to ensure the timely closing of the customer's loan.
  • Go outside to key referral relationships (Realtors, CPA's, Builders, etc). to drive mortgage business into the bank.
  • Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency
  • Introduce clients to segment partners when appropriate (including but not limited to Bank, Wealth Management, Small Business, Cards, etc.
  • Keep abreast of trends and developments in local marketplace, as well as changing rules and regulations across the industry, and expand internal and external network to better serve clients and industry professionals
  • Attend a minimum of 2 – 3 Diverse Realtor and/or affordable housing nonprofit events per month.
  • Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency.

Qualifications:

  • Residential Mortgage experience required
  • 3+ years previous mortgage sales experience required
  • Established relationships with diverse realtor organizations and affordable lending nonprofits in origination territory
  • Experience with community loan products inclusive of specialized LMI mortgage solutions, lender paid assistance programs and 3rd party assistance programs
  • Established book of business strongly recommended
  • FHA/VA & conventional loan experience is preferred
  • The ability to comprehend and explain financial calculations and pricing alternatives
  • The ability to communicate with customers about the proper documents and information needed to obtain a particular loan
  • Knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern consumer lending, including fair lending, privacy, and RESPA
  • Demonstrated customer service skills
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently
  • Strong relationship development and management skills
  • Expertise of general lending products and overall mortgage industry

Education:

  • Bachelor's/University degree or equivalent experience

This position requires the employee to register as a mortgage loan originator with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry ("Registry") and obtain a unique identifier from the Registry before engaging in mortgage loan originator activities. Originate minimum of 3 loans per month with a minimum mix of 50% being either CRA eligible or within minority tracts.

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Job Family Group:Consumer Sales

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Job Family:Consumer Product Sales

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Time Type:Full time

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Primary Location:Vernon Hills Illinois United States

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Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$90,000.00 - $90,000.00


In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

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Please see the requirements listed above.

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Automated Processing and AI

We use automated processing, including artificial intelligence, for our legitimate business interests (or our reasonable and appropriate business purposes) to identify and align the candidate's skills and abilities with a specific job opening. Additionally, if you so choose, or consent, we can match your skills and abilities to other suitable roles at Citi.

Importantly, all our hiring processes and decisions, including determining your suitability for a role, are conducted, checked, and decided by individuals. Our automated processing and AI do not involve relying on automatic or autonomous decision-making. Please refer to any Jurisdictional Considerations, with specific provisions for your country (where relevant) for further details.

Illinois residents – AI Notice and Right

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Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi. View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.

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What Citibank employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Citigroup Inc logo

About Citigroup Inc

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We live in an increasingly complex world. Companies these days are either born global or are going global at record speed. Business and geopolitics are forging an entirely new dynamic and consumers now expect financial services to be a seamless part of their digital lives. Citi is a bank that’s uniquely positioned for this moment. Through our vast global network and our on-the-ground expertise, we can connect the dots, anticipate change and empathize the needs of our clients and customers in ways that other banks simply cannot. Citi's mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress. We have set expectations for how we must act to bring our mission to life. These expectations are at the heart of our Leadership Principles – we take ownership, we deliver with pride and we succeed together.

Industry

Banking and credit intermediation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New York City, NY, US