Bilingual Financial Counselor

Join to apply for the Bilingual Financial Counselor I role at Southern Bancorp
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Southern Bancorp is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to serving underserved communities. We combine traditional banking with financial development tools and advocacy to help families and communities grow stronger, focusing on low‑wealth and unbanked populations, and emphasizing opportunities for Black and Brown individuals.

Work in SBCP’s Asset Development Department to provide comprehensive financial counseling, coaching, and education. The financial counselor will assist in recruiting for and facilitating SBCP’s wealth‑building programs, helping customers increase savings, reduce debt, improve credit, and access capital.

• Provide one‑on‑one financial counseling to customers, facilitating the identification and achievement of financial goals using both in‑person and digital tools.
• Deliver prompt, efficient, and friendly service with a strong emphasis on problem‑solving and solution‑building.
• Analyze and assess customers’ current financial conditions and build outcomes‑based action plans.
• Maintain significant product knowledge for both SBCP and SBB financial products.
• Assist customers in accessing SBCP and SBB financial products to further their identified financial goals.
• Provide group learning sessions online and in person in areas of financial skills.
• Build relationships with the community to ensure SBCP is positioned to attract targeted customers.
• Develop new clients and partners through active community outreach to build awareness of SBCP’s lending products and financial development services.
• Employ business development techniques to build a customer base for asset development services and lending products.
• Execute a reciprocal referral network with SBCP and SBB lenders.
• Use digital platforms to collect and track data, KPI’s, and report metrics for strategic decision‑making.
• Assist with and produce accurate grant and certification reporting as needed.
• Complete all required training and continuing education for certifications.
• Perform other related duties as required, including assisting with wealth‑building programs.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of five years of experience in credit or financial counseling or a related field.
• HUD housing counselor certification required; employees must obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Accredited Financial Counseling certification through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education; or begin coursework within sixty days of start date.
• Ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and strong analytical ability.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and strong customer relations skills.
• Ability to anticipate problems, use sound judgment, and be resourceful in resolution.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage; ability to travel within markets.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, project management digital tools, and CRM systems.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 401(k)/Roth plan with immediate eligibility and employer match up to 6%
• Employee stock ownership plan
• Discounted rate on a primary home mortgage
• Credit and housing counseling and free financial education tools for customers and employees
• No deductible medical insurance plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Employer‑paid life and long‑term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 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, 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 individuals 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.