About Us:

We are a dynamic and growing credit union with 11 locations across Southwestern Ontario, committed to providing exceptional financial services to our members.

We believe we have the best team in the business due to our leadership philosophy of excellence, and team development. With our full spectrum of investment, credit, and general banking instruments, our team can build the solution that is best for our customers; and since our customers are also our shareholders, this will always be our business objective!

Mainstreet Credit Union is actively seeking an experienced Retail Solutions Specialist to join our growing team!

Why Join Our Team?

At Mainstreet we believe in investing in you – whether it is our employees or our incredible members. At Mainstreet we are committed to providing exceptional service, advice and improving and making a difference in the lives of our members.

Mainstreet offers its employees:

• Work-life balance and flexible work arrangements
• Opportunities for training and advancement
• Generous salary, vacation and benefits (Mainstreet is a Living Wage employer)
• Opportunity to work at a values-based cooperative

Our Values:

Personalized: High quality personalized advice with flexible solutions.

Supported : Highly responsive through empowered professionals.

Known : Meaningful impact and connected to community.

Easy: Easy and in the way our members prefer.

The Role

Location: Hybrid - One of our Administration Offices (Sarnia or Chatham preferred)

Job Function:

Under the general supervision of the Lending Solutions Manager, the Retail Solutions Specialist supports branch lending performance by serving as a key resource to retail lending staff, supporting delinquency management, and making recommendations to enhance retail lending policies, procedures, and reporting. The role ensures consistent credit quality, strong compliance, and collaborates closely with branch staff, department leaders, and members to enhance lending performance, compliance, and member satisfaction.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Branch Support

• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail lenders and branch managers to support lending success and branch satisfaction targets.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for branch lending staff by interpreting basic lending policies and procedures and providing feedback on credit submissions where deficiencies or opportunities for improvement exist.

Delinquency & Portfolio Oversight

• Support the proactive monitoring of delinquent and at-risk accounts and engage directly with members to understand their situations, discuss options, and support successful resolution of concerns and outstanding balances.
• Under the direction of the Lending Solutions Manager, conduct professional, respectful, and solution-oriented conversations with members experiencing financial difficulty, with a strong focus on empathy, education, and relationship preservation.
• Work with branch staff to coordinate timely and consistent follow-up with members, ensuring agreed-upon arrangements and repayment plans are clearly documented and adhered to.
• Identify early warning signs of financial stress and, under direction of the Lending Solutions Manager, recommend appropriate interventions to minimize credit risk while supporting positive member outcomes.
• Review portfolio and system-generated reports to identify trends, identify emerging risks, and support the overall health of the Credit Union’s loan portfolio.

Credit Adjudication & Risk Management

• Review, analyze, and approve retail credit applications within authorized lending limits, ensuring compliance with legislation, regulations, internal policies, and pricing frameworks.
• Grant policy exceptions within delegated authority using sound judgment to balance member needs, portfolio risk, and Credit Union growth objectives.
• Maintain a high level of credit and approval authority through consistent application of credit principles and ongoing knowledge development.

Policy, Process & Reporting

• Assist with the implementation, communication, and ongoing evaluation of retail lending policies and procedures, recommending updates where appropriate.
• Prepare, analyze, and enhance reporting used within the credit department, identifying opportunities to improve reporting accuracy, quality, and efficiency.
• Recommend improvements to branch lending processes that enhance lender success and contribute to improved member satisfaction.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Review credit applications for accuracy, creditworthiness, and profitability, ensuring alignment with internal policy requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Assist with internal file reviews and credit audits to support adherence to underwriting standards and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Business, Finance, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive lending experience.
• Minimum three (3) years of demonstrated experience as a skilled retail lender within a financial institution, with exposure to a broad range of consumer credit products including mortgages, loans, lines of credit, construction, bridge, and demand facilities.
• Strong practical understanding of underwriting principles, credit adjudication, and retail lending policies, with the ability to consistently apply sound credit judgment across varied and complex scenarios.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate credit risk, including early recognition of member financial stress and the development of appropriate, sustainable solutions that balance member needs with portfolio quality and risk appetite.
• Proven ability to exercise independent decision-making and professional judgment within delegated lending and exception authorities, including the ability to assess trade-offs, escalate appropriately, and support decisions with clear rationale and documentation.
• Well-developed trusted-advisor skills, including the ability to build credibility with members and internal stakeholders through thoughtful analysis, transparent communication, and ethical decision-making.
• Demonstrated capability to engage members in difficult or sensitive financial conversations with empathy, professionalism, and confidence, while guiding them toward responsible outcomes and reinforcing financial literacy.
• Strong analytical skills, including working knowledge of financial statements, cash flow analysis, and forecasting, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support informed credit and portfolio decisions.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain documentation standards, and ensure accuracy in a regulated lending environment.
• Effective oral, written, and facilitation skills, with the ability to explain credit decisions, risk considerations, and policy requirements clearly to both members and internal partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing positively as a collaborative team member across branches and departments.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to influence, coach, and support retail lenders while maintaining appropriate independence and risk oversight.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, including staying current on lending practices, regulatory expectations, and risk management principles.
• Intermediate proficiency with standard business technology and systems, including MS Office applications, PDF editing tools, Outlook, and lending systems.

Join Mainstreet Credit Union and be part of a workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion. We actively seek diverse perspectives, ensure equal opportunities for all, and cultivate a culture where every individual feels valued. Our commitment to continuous learning ensures an environment where everyone can thrive.

Mainstreet Credit Union is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

*Note: This posting is for an open vacancy. Application compatibility assessed with AI.