Contested Foreclosure Specialist II

This position is responsible for managing the foreclosure process for an assigned portfolio of mortgage loans, contested foreclosures or loans in other litigation to ensure foreclosure is completed timely in accordance with investor guidelines and for providing administrative support related to the foreclosure process.

• Monitor progress of the foreclosure action from referral to post foreclosure, including management of issues raised, holds placed and review/research needed to complete the foreclosure action.
• Communicate with foreclosure attorneys to understand, minimize and avoid delays during the foreclosure. Work with foreclosure attorney to resolve simple contested/litigation actions and title issues to allow completion of the foreclosure action.
• Provide necessary status updates to investors during the foreclosure process. Assemble and provide documentation in response to investor or regulatory audit requests.
• Generate various scheduled and ad hoc reports as needed for Foreclosure, including but not limited to monthly scorecard reporting, exception reporting, and workflow tracking reports.
• Ensure investor deadlines within the foreclosure are met, including but not limited to FHA 1st legal deadlines and FHA eviction 1st legal deadlines.
• Prepare bidding instructions according to investor guidelines and ensure proper bidding for sales where M&T’s lien is not in first position.
• Review VA appraiser invoices for payment. Obtain necessary W-9, set up payee header and submit invoice for payment.
• Perform initial review of documents required for foreclosure or simple contested litigation, gathering of backup and submission to Tier 2 Reviewer for further review and execution.
• Review equity position and prepare necessary equity analysis for potential charge off.
• Provide sale results to investor, MI companies and other necessary parties, updating systems as required.
• Work with attorneys to ensure proper reporting of foreclosure status to investors.
• Manage a variety of assigned tasks to hold, close or proceed with foreclosure taking action within the required service level agreement.
• Complete daily Sale Result QC for Foreclosure team. Monitor, distribute and respond to emails sent to Team email boxes. Receive, review and distribute legal mail received in Customer Asset Management (CAM) pertaining to residential property in which the bank has an interest, to avoid risk of loss to the bank or its investors and work with in house counsel and management to determine if external counsel must be engaged to represent M&T.
• Request checks for disbursement of bid deposit, senior lien payoff and settlements.
• Adhere to applicable compliance/operational risk controls in accordance with Company or regulatory standards and policies.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.

This position interacts with external third-party foreclosure attorneys to ensure successful and timely completion of foreclosure consistent with investor guidelines.

This position also interacts with CAM Management and internal & external counsel.

A combined 3 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 1 year Default Servicing related field experience (e.g., Collections, REO, Loss Mitigation).

Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Detail oriented.

Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Motivated, team player with a positive and friendly attitude.

3 years’ Default Servicing related field experience (e.g., Collections, REO, Loss Mitigation).

Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Knowledge of bank and departmental systems.

Understanding of mortgage product including home equity loans and lines of credit.

Experience reading and comprehending the contents of legal documents.