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Branch lending officer vs senior underwriter

The differences between branch lending officers and senior underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior underwriter has an average salary of $69,375, which is higher than the $46,615 average annual salary of a branch lending officer.

The top three skills for a branch lending officer include business relationships, origination and FHA. The most important skills for a senior underwriter are customer service, portfolio, and underwriting guidelines.

Branch lending officer vs senior underwriter overview

Branch Lending OfficerSenior Underwriter
Yearly salary$46,615$69,375
Hourly rate$22.41$33.35
Growth rate4%-4%
Number of jobs70,6896,726
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4544
Years of experience6-

What does a branch lending officer do?

A branch lending officer is typically in charge of processing loan applications, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, conducting interviews and assessments, gathering and reviewing requirements, and coordinating with analysts and other staff. They may also perform clerical tasks such as answering calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, and maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a branch lending officer, it is essential to provide efficient customer service, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.

What does a senior underwriter do?

A senior underwriter is responsible for evaluating the eligibility of an applicant for loan application processing. Senior underwriters verify the applicant's information, including their credit score and other valid documents, ensuring that the applicant fulfills the loan application's parameters. They check the applicant's portfolios and provide them the next necessary steps and the alternatives for loan types. A senior underwriter must have excellent knowledge of the loan processes and underwriting procedures to analyze applications and make accurate decisions.

Branch lending officer vs senior underwriter salary

Branch lending officers and senior underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Branch Lending OfficerSenior Underwriter
Average salary$46,615$69,375
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $73,000Between $44,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySaint Cloud, MNNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew MexicoNew York
Best paying companyCitiCapital Group
Best paying industryFinanceInsurance

Differences between branch lending officer and senior underwriter education

There are a few differences between a branch lending officer and a senior underwriter in terms of educational background:

Branch Lending OfficerSenior Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Branch lending officer vs senior underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between branch lending officers' and senior underwriters' demographics:

Branch Lending OfficerSenior Underwriter
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 60.0% Female, 40.0%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between branch lending officer and senior underwriter duties and responsibilities

Branch lending officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial resources from budget, treasury, expenditure commitments, accounting and finance, report from different departments to donors/stakeholders.
  • Obtain unique identifier with the NMLS.
  • Train in FNMA and FHLMC retention, including producing and production staff.
  • Originate and process conventional/VA loans in compliance with FNMA, FHLMC, and non-conforming investor guidelines.
  • Review and evaluate both credit packages and appraisal to determine credit worthiness and compliance to FHA guidelines.
  • Maximize margin by upselling customers.
  • Show more

Senior underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Perform underwriter approval/declines on FHA, VA, FmHA and conventional loan applications providing financing for one-to-four family residential properties.
  • Fix and n variable annuities.
  • Check for the accuracy and proper recording of UCC filings and mortgages.
  • Order and review flood searches, title reports, UCC searches, appraisals, insurance policies and binders, and contracts.
  • Review preliminary HUD-1 for accuracy.
  • Show more

Branch lending officer vs senior underwriter skills

Common branch lending officer skills
  • Business Relationships, 19%
  • Origination, 15%
  • FHA, 12%
  • Mortgage Loans, 8%
  • Loan Products, 8%
  • Customer Service, 8%
Common senior underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

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