Gina Balletti

Top-performing professional with extensive experience interacting with attorneys, paralegals, underwriters, appraisers, loan officers, engineers and title companies.

Background in all aspects of closing commercial loans: drafting documents, post-closing follow-up, recording documents, budget analysis, accurate documentation and reviews of plans, costs and specifications. Recognized for skillful interaction with high-end clients and deployment of industry and legal knowledge. Proven track record of meeting hard deadlines.

Solid reputation for building and growing significant business relationships, while retaining and expanding key accounts. Highly skilled in hiring, training, motivating and supervising teams of employees in all operating procedures.

COMMERCIAL BANK LOAN CLOSER SENIOR - TIAA/EverBank - Parsippany, NJ

(2022-02 - 2024-04)

Coordinate, organize, and verify documentation received from third parties, brokers, clients, title companies, closing agents, etc., necessary to close each CRE loan. Identify and search for solutions, resolutions regarding issues discovered during the due diligence phase of loan closing. Facilitate communication with title/closing agents, outside counsel and, if necessary, inside counsel to insure accurate documentation for all loan closings.

Manage client expectations relevant to documentation and timing of loan closings, while striving for excellent client experience.

• Ability to perform multiple tasks for separate transactions accurately in a time critical environment and be able to work independently with minimal supervision with the initiative and knowledge of when to ask for guidance
• Adaptability to change and the ability to work in other departments, i.e., VEF, Commercial Ops

PARALEGAL - Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP - Florham Park, NJ

(2021-08 - 2022-02)

Provide overall support to attorneys' business needs, including commercial lending transactions SBA 7(a) and 504. Assist with closings, closing schedules and represent the lender at closing proceedings. Handle due diligence gathering; review Commitment Letters for banks; prepare closing statements; review title reports/lien searches, UCCs; execute/conduct closings on behalf of the lender.

Preparation of commercial banking documents. Document review and drafting. Interaction with various executive level clients. Closing scheduling and management. Manage incoming correspondence and upload same in case database.

Expert in confidentiality, initiative, and sound decision-making.

• Revamped Worldox to make searching more efficient
• Started post-closing project, which requires the tracking down of recorded documents from various agencies

LOAN/LEASE CLOSER, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT - CIT Bank, N.A. - Livingston, NJ

(2020-05 - 2021-08)

Support the closing, booking and funding of Equipment Finance loan/lease products across the CEF Line of Business, review legal documents to ensure documentation complies with Bank policy, procedures, and accurately reflects the transaction details. Strong knowledge of equipment finance products and industry. Strong loan/lease document comprehension and attention to detail. Expert in UCC review and filings.

• Able to master new skills quickly, i.e., buyouts, both partial and full
• Changed dated standard operating procedures

COMMERCIAL LOAN PARALEGAL - Newman, Simpson & Cohen, LLP - Hackensack, NJ

(2019-10 - 2020-03)

Areas of responsibility included assisting attorneys with all facets of commercial real estate closing preparations, including, but not limited to, document review, drafting closing documents, including, commitment letters, notes and mortgages; reviewing title, which includes, closing protection letter, deed, title policy, survey, including legal description, tax and water bills, corporate documents, including organizational structure, formation documents; due diligence review, including, zoning requirements, leases, SNDAs, certificates of occupancy, insurance policies, utility companies agreements, rent rolls, escrow coordination, preparing UCC Financing Statements.

• Amended Checklists to more user friendly format
• Streamlined documents

COMMERCIAL LOAN PARALEGAL/CLOSER (Temp) - ConnectOne Bank - Englewood Cliffs, NJ

(2019-04 - 2019-09)

Responsible for managing a portfolio of loans from origination through to settlement, in accordance with Bank policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, which includes: Analyzing bank loan approvals to determine required due diligence and documentation for each loan transaction; ordering and reviewing searches, which includes, but not limited to, UCCs, property tax, insurance, entity docs, judgments, OFAC; confirming all collateral evaluations are ordered and reviewing of same to clear issues; preparation of pre-closing and post-closing checklists; acting as liaison with bank counsel and title companies; reviewing loan documentation to ensure compliance with loan approval and bank policy; coordinating receipt of closing requirements with internal departments, bank counsel, borrower, and borrower’s counsel; preparing funding wires and reviewing settlement statements; preparing Booking Sheets and reviewing loan after it is booked into the system of record; ensuring that all loans are closed without exceptions; following up and clearing post-closing issues; and preparing and reviewing filed and recorded documents.

• Amended inaccurate documentation of recorded collateral
• Revamped in-house documents
• Consistently exceeded deadlines

COMMERCIAL LOAN PARALEGAL/CLOSER - Investors Bank - Short Hills, NJ

(2016-08 - 2019-01)

Coordinates with legal counsel by performing due diligence for commercial properties, which includes but not limited to reviewing title binders, leases, lien searches, escrow letters, promissory notes, security and loan agreements. Prepares discharges of Mortgage and Termination of Assignment of Leases and Rents, as needed. Maintains client files by performing post-closing due diligence (review Notes, update post-closing tracking list).

Handles all aspects of UCCs by performing and reviewing searches, filings, terminations and continuations.

• Able to complete duties under tight deadlines
• Acted as consultant to Managers and Staff
• Revamped archaic language in Bank Documents

COMMERCIAL LENDING CLOSING SUPERVISOR - Columbia Bank - Fair Lawn, NJ

(2015-10 - 2016-08)

Prepares loan documentation and coordinates commercial loan closings for North and Central Jersey Regions. Reviews files to be closed to ensure all conditions of the loan have been met and collateral is secured. Researches and resolves any conditions that have not been met. Performs post-closing functions, such as, inputs all closed loans: commercial mortgage loans, construction loans, line of credit loans, term loans into the bank’s core processing system, DNA/Fiserv. Verifies entries for accuracy. Inputs loan file documentation into the bank’s document imaging system, Nautilus, and files original executed loan documents into the bank’s vault. Prepares and forwards loan information to other areas of the Bank. Completes loan cost worksheets, route sheets and fee summary, for all commercial loans for the Accounting Department. Post data received from accounting to the bank’s core processing system.

Trains Junior Closing

Representatives with regards to preparation of loan documentations and the use of various Bank systems. Prepares monthly attorney closed real estate and construction report for business development and First Jersey title.

• Updated outdated processes
• Streamlined Closing process
• Implemented Weekly Meetings with staff, drafted minutes for said meetings
• Pioneered cross-training of staff

COMMERCIAL LOAN CLOSER/PARALEGAL - The Provident Bank - Iselin, NJ

(2006-09 - 2015-10)

Creates all the closing documents on behalf of the lender and ensures that the documentation meets government compliance standards. Serves as the conduit between the lender and/or title insurance company or a real estate attorney. Post-Closing responsibilities include being the liaison between the third-party lender and the originating lender, as well.

Drafts all the closing paperwork on behalf of the lender to send to the title insurance company or the real estate attorney to complete the closing. Since the commercial loan closer is the last in line to touch the deal; it is my responsibility to ensure that the mortgage as a whole meets all the compliance regulations, including funding the loan.

• Consistently met or exceeded deadlines
• Recognized by organization receiving SPOT Award and several CAP awards
• Trained new hires, produced and ran extensive loan tracking reports on Excel
• Expert at drafting legal documents
• In charge of quarterly meetings with satellite offices
• Expert at LaserPro program

Post Baccalaureate Teaching Certification - Caldwell University, Caldwell, NJ

B.A. Degree - English - Caldwell University, Caldwell, NJ