JOB DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY OF JOB FUNCTION

The Branch Manager is primarily responsible for branch operations with a strong focus on collections, account management, personnel management, and underwriting skills.  The position requires extensive proficiency in all phases of office administration, training/supervising/disciplining staff, communication staff/managers/the general public and the Corporate Office.  The Branch Manager acquires indirect installment sales contracts from automobile dealers and originates direct consumer loans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary representative between employees of the branch and upper management.
• Ensures that the branch generates a high volume of quality direct and indirect loans. This requires providing guidance to employees in the areas of dealer solicitation, direct solicitation, credit review, purchasing installment sales contracts, contract processing, collections, repossessions and deficiency collections.
• Has direct supervisory responsibility for branch staff and coordinates the daily work activities: pulls/reads/and understands all branch reports, account promises, repossession, sic add-on, etc.; must be able to perform all aspects of the branch deposit including posting mail and counter payments, balancing the cash drawer and completing the deposit. May delegate this responsibility to the Assistant Branch Manager if applicable.
• Responsible for the supervision of all branch staff. Is responsible for maintaining the training and coaching of the staff (to include all policy manuals, lending/purchasing manuals, handbooks, etc.), hiring and periodic evaluations.  Conducts disciplinary actions as needed.  May delegate this responsibility to the Assistant Branch Manager if applicable.
• Responsible for a portfolio of accounts: aggressively manages portfolio and participates in business development, makes effective one-on-one sales calls on new and existing dealers, acquires new dealer agreements, generates application flow resulting in new contracts, meets and exceeds business generation goals.  Develops Assistant Branch Manager and/or Senior Administrator in this area.
• Consistently and effectively solicits and closes direct loans (if applicable) in accordance with volume goals; includes credit investigation, customer interview, collateral valuation, etc. May delegate this responsibility to the Assistant Branch Manager.
• Ensures the daily workflow is coordinated to include the timely distribution of the delinquent call list: 30-day delinquency, skip tracing, small claims, repossession disposition, field calls, etc. Must consistently meet and exceed the delinquency goals.
• Must be able to perform all aspects of branch administration: interviewing customers, booking out automobiles, making sound credit decisions, requesting exceptions, contacting dealer to negotiate call back, follow up on approvals and conditions, creation of new contract files, inputting customer contracts, verification of all pertinent documentation, responsible check signing, etc.
• Conducts Branch delinquency and administration meetings, reviews reports, makes delinquency decisions, field calling and skip tracing, makes repossession requests, determines payment arrangements, etc.
• Adheres to corporate collection policies and delinquency standards (refer to the Policies & Procedures Manual for specifics).
• Maintains compliance with industry regulations to include the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Dodd-Frank Act, and other federal and state regulations.
• Responds to customer issues when necessary.
• Cross-sells NFI products and services.
• As required, assists with the general housekeeping of the Branch.
• Performs other related job duties/special projects as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:  To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason when dealing with emotional topics.
• Oral Communication – (one-on-one and telephone); speaks clearly and persuasively in both positive and negative situations; listens to get clarification; demonstrates group presentations; responds well to questions.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; present numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information; and have great attention to detail.
• Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity; promotes a harassment-free environment.
• Delegation – Delegates work assignments; matches the responsibility to the person; gives authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results.
• Leadership – Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People – Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; makes self available to staff; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); fosters quality in others; improves processes, products and services; continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically upholds organizational values.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; makes timely decisions.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary (including possible night and weekend hours) to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Innovative – Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.

QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability to perform the essential functions

• Education and/or Experience – College degree preferred; plus 2-5 years experience in banking, finance or automotive credit; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Training: Must be able to pass all of the prerequisite educational classes initially and on a periodic basis as determined by the company policy in place
• Language Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations; ability to write reports and business correspondence; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, employees, and the general public.
• Mathematical Skills – Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages; ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Computer Skills – Knowledge of PC’s, NFI software and related systems.
• Other Qualifications – Ability to effectively mentor and train others; complete understanding of sales contracts, loan process and Tier Sheet; complete understanding of collection and repossession procedures; understanding of the acceptance of loan payments to include cash handling; understanding of office procedures, maintains knowledge of NFI products and services in order to cross-sell. Must maintain a valid drivers’ license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to operate normal office equipment as required performing the essential job functions: keyboard, telephone, copier, facsimile, credit bureau, calculator, Loan Origination System, Servicing System, and other systems/software that the company utilizes as part of its overall population.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear; stoop, kneel and reach.  The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is required to stand; walk and crouch.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is only valid as of the date it was created.  Please contact the Director of Human Resources to obtain the latest version.

Nicholas Financial, Inc., (NASDAQ: NICK), is a publicly traded subprime auto finance company, established in 1985, that specializes in purchasing and servicing auto loans made by franchised and independent auto dealers, via a network of company owned and operated branch offices. Also, please check out our Website at: nicholasfinancial.com