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Credit representative vs credit officer

The differences between credit representatives and credit officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a credit representative and a credit officer. Additionally, a credit officer has an average salary of $129,478, which is higher than the $39,268 average annual salary of a credit representative.

The top three skills for a credit representative include customer service, customer accounts and patients. The most important skills for a credit officer are risk management, credit risk, and credit analysis.

Credit representative vs credit officer overview

Credit RepresentativeCredit Officer
Yearly salary$39,268$129,478
Hourly rate$18.88$62.25
Growth rate-8%17%
Number of jobs73,52060,323
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3939
Years of experience22

What does a credit representative do?

Credit representatives are professionals who analyze the credit data and the financial statements of firms or individuals for the determination of the risk in lending money or extending credit. The representatives are tasked to prepare reports with credit information used in decision making. They manage credit files and process credit reports from different credit reporting sources. They also mentor and coach credit representatives newly hired in corporate procedures and policies. Also, they expand collection procedures and policies to lessen DSO parameter risk.

What does a credit officer do?

A credit officer is responsible for evaluating financial documents and account statements to determine the eligibility of an applicant for a loan option. Credit officers communicate with the applicant to discuss the loan process, explain the terms of service, and provide them alternative options that would fit their payment ability and loan needs. They create financial reports and recommend the qualified applicant to the manager for approval. A credit officer should have excellent communication and analytical skills, ensuring that the loan policies adhere to the federal and state regulations.

Credit representative vs credit officer salary

Credit representatives and credit officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Credit RepresentativeCredit Officer
Average salary$39,268$129,478
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $54,000Between $85,000 And $196,000
Highest paying CityWhite Plains, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companySystemaxFarm Credit System
Best paying industryConstructionFinance

Differences between credit representative and credit officer education

There are a few differences between a credit representative and a credit officer in terms of educational background:

Credit RepresentativeCredit Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Credit representative vs credit officer demographics

Here are the differences between credit representatives' and credit officers' demographics:

Credit RepresentativeCredit Officer
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 7.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 10.7% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between credit representative and credit officer duties and responsibilities

Credit representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage portfolio utilizing AS400 and GetPaid systems.
  • Manage all credit files and process credit reports from various credit reporting sources including TRW and Dunn & Bradstreet.
  • Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to Medicare insurance.
  • Apply customer credit card and ACH payments.
  • Perform the posting of checks refunds and credit cards into the AS400 database.
  • Collect invoices through wire payment, ACH payments, and overnight mail options.
  • Show more

Credit officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage credit risk and provide independent oversight of the bank portfolio.
  • Manage the global function for an ERP software company that has a niche market in manufacturing companies.
  • Manage SBA construction/tenant improvement projects submit until project is completed.
  • Partner with small and entrepreneurial business to develop business plans and assist business owners with achieving payroll.
  • Review clients file for compliance with: CIP, OFAC, HMDA, CRA and red flag activities.
  • Audit applications for HUD and IHDA compliance.
  • Show more

Credit representative vs credit officer skills

Common credit representative skills
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Customer Accounts, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Credit Card Payments, 4%
  • Credit Balances, 4%
  • Payment Arrangements, 4%
Common credit officer skills
  • Risk Management, 10%
  • Credit Risk, 7%
  • Credit Analysis, 5%
  • Real Estate, 4%
  • Credit Approval, 4%
  • Portfolio Management, 4%

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