Bilingual Financial Counselor

Join to apply for the Bilingual Financial Counselor I role at Southern Bancorp

Southern Bancorp is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves predominantly underserved communities by combining traditional banking and lending with financial development tools and public policy advocacy. 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 and an emphasis on Black and Brown individuals.

Work in SBCP’s Asset Development Department to provide comprehensive financial counseling, coaching, and education focused on consumer goals of increased savings, decreased debt, improved credit, and access to capital/credit. The financial counselor will assist in recruiting for and facilitating SBCP’s Wealth Building programs. The position requires a highly skilled financial services professional with national certification in complex financial counseling.

• Provide one-on-one financial counseling to customers to identify and achieve financial goals using in-person or digital tools.
• Deliver prompt, efficient, and friendly service with an emphasis on problem-solving and solution-building.
• Analyze and assess current financial conditions of consumer customers and build outcomes-based action plans for customers and third parties to achieve goals.
• Maintain significant product knowledge for SBCP financial products.
• Assist customers in accessing SBCP and SBB financial products to support identified financial goals.
• Provide group learning sessions online and in-person on financial skills to empower positive financial decisions.
• Build relationships with the community to position SBCP in the market and attract targeted customers.
• Develop new clients and partners through active community outreach to promote SBCP’s lending products and financial development services.
• Use business development techniques to build a customer base for asset development services and lending products.
• Maintain a reciprocal referral network with SBCP and SBB lenders.
• Utilize digital platforms to collect and track data, monitor key performance indicators, and report metrics for strategic decision-making.
• Assist with or produce accurate grant and certifier reporting as needed.
• Complete 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 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 for certification within sixty days of start date.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines and work independently.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High degree of analytical ability and strong customer relations skills.
• Ability to anticipate problems and use sound judgment and resourcefulness to resolve.
• Must be able to travel within markets and possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office, project management tools, and CRM systems.
• Ability to speak fluently 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 primary home mortgage
• Credit and housing counseling as well as free financial education tools available to 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…