What is a Loan Officer?
Occupation Description Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise borrowers on financial status and payment methods. Includes mortgage loan officers and agents, collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.
Loan Officer Responsibilities
- Handle customer complaints and take appropriate action to resolve them.
- Provide special services such as investment banking for clients with more specialized needs.
- Obtain and compile copies of loan applicants' credit histories, corporate financial statements, and other financial information.
- Prepare reports to send to customers whose accounts are delinquent, and forward irreconcilable accounts for collector action.
- Work with clients to identify their financial goals and to find ways of reaching those goals.
- Explain to customers the different types of loans and credit options that are available, as well as the terms of those services.
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Qualities of a Loan Officer
Loan Officers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Types of Loan Officer Jobs
- Branch Banker
- Loan Service Officer
- Mortgage Specialist
- Consumer Lending Specialist
- Personal Loan Specialist
Job Outlook for Loan Officers
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 318,600 jobs in the United States for Loan Officer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 36,300 new jobs for Loan Officer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 30,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Loan Officer are Utah, Arizona, and Iowa. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, West Virginia, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Loan Officers Salary
Loan Officers make between $31,870 and $132,080 a year.

Loan Officers who work in New York, New Hampshire, or Nebraska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Loan Officers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $67,860 |
Alaska | $71,120 |
Arizona | $62,430 |
Arkansas | $73,990 |
California | $78,940 |
Colorado | $71,010 |
Connecticut | $91,730 |
Delaware | $70,100 |
District of Columbia | $95,000 |
Florida | $78,000 |
Georgia | $75,060 |
Hawaii | $72,790 |
Idaho | $60,810 |
Illinois | $81,620 |
Indiana | $67,450 |
Iowa | $67,580 |
Kansas | $84,320 |
Kentucky | $67,450 |
Louisiana | $56,190 |
Maine | $76,340 |
Maryland | $84,240 |
Massachusetts | $94,540 |
Minnesota | $79,420 |
Mississippi | $65,360 |
Missouri | $76,550 |
Montana | $63,910 |
Nebraska | $81,740 |
Nevada | $80,290 |
New Hampshire | $90,500 |
New Jersey | $85,540 |
New Mexico | $63,320 |
New York | $103,450 |
North Carolina | $72,210 |
North Dakota | $74,330 |
Ohio | $72,030 |
Oklahoma | $67,810 |
Oregon | $76,680 |
Pennsylvania | $68,280 |
Rhode Island | $69,500 |
South Carolina | $69,240 |
South Dakota | $63,230 |
Tennessee | $63,810 |
Texas | $83,910 |
Utah | $57,640 |
Vermont | $66,350 |
Virginia | $80,440 |
Washington | $74,830 |
West Virginia | $55,370 |
Wisconsin | $73,390 |
Wyoming | $69,530 |
What Tools do Loan Officers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Loan Officers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- LexisNexis
- Tax software
- Customer information control system CICS
- Common business oriented language COBOL
- Delphi Discovery
- CGI-AMS BureauLink Enterprise
- Experian Credinomics
- Moody’s KMV CreditEdge
- Harland Financial Solutions DecisionPro
- Fair Isaac Falcon ID
- Fannie Mae Desktop Underwriter
How to Become a Loan Officer
Learn what Loan Officer education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Loan Officer?

Loan Officers Sector

Loan Officers work in the following industries:

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References:
Image Credit: Dave Dugdale via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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