Loan Officers
Overview
Loan officers help people and businesses get the money they need by evaluating loan applications and deciding who qualifies for credit. They work with clients to gather financial information, explain different loan options, and use specialized software to analyze credit scores and income data. This career combines customer service skills with financial analysis, often involving collaboration with underwriters and bank managers in both office and remote work settings. A degree in finance, business, or economics provides a strong foundation for this field.

Did you know?
Financial consultants must obtain required licenses such as Series 7 and Series 66, and maintain ongoing compliance with SEC and FINRA regulations.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$73,485.49 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Instructing
Key Responsibilities
- Obtain and compile copies of loan applicants' credit histories, corporate financial statements, and other financial information.
- Market bank products to individuals and firms, promoting bank services that may meet customers' needs.
- Analyze applicants' financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loans.
- Review loan agreements to ensure that they are complete and accurate according to policy.
- Confer with underwriters to resolve mortgage application problems.
- 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.
- Match individuals' needs and eligibility with available financial aid programs to provide informed recommendations.
- Inform individuals and groups about the financial assistance available to college or university students.
- Establish payment priorities according to credit terms and interest rates to reduce clients' overall costs.
- Contact borrowers with delinquent accounts to obtain payment in full or to negotiate repayment plans.
- Review billing for accuracy.
- Counsel clients on personal and family financial problems, such as excessive spending or borrowing of funds.
- Calculate amount of debt and funds available to plan methods of payoff and to estimate time for debt liquidation.
- Authorize or sign mail collection letters.
- Stay abreast of new types of loans and other financial services and products to better meet customers' needs.
- Supervise loan personnel.
- Submit applications to credit analysts for verification and recommendation.
- Handle customer complaints and take appropriate action to resolve them.
- Contact applicants or creditors to resolve questions about applications or to assist with completion of paperwork.
- Analyze potential loan markets and develop referral networks to locate prospects for loans.
- Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and to answer questions about the process.
- Assist in selection of financial award candidates using electronic databases to certify loan eligibility.
- Review and update credit and loan files.
- Compute payment schedules.
- Explain to customers the different types of loans and credit options that are available, as well as the terms of those services.
- Maintain and review account records, updating and recategorizing them according to status changes.
- Review accounts to determine write-offs for collection agencies.
- Approve loans within specified limits, and refer loan applications outside those limits to management for approval.
- Set credit policies, credit lines, procedures and standards in conjunction with senior managers.
Career Considerations
Licensing and Regulatory Compliance
Financial consultants must obtain required licenses such as Series 7 and Series 66, and maintain ongoing compliance with SEC and FINRA regulations.
Client Relationship Management
Success heavily depends on building trust and maintaining long-term relationships through transparent communication and consistent portfolio performance.
Continuous Market Education
Staying current with economic trends, tax law changes, and new investment products is essential for providing relevant and competitive financial advice.