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Lender vs loan consultant

The differences between lenders and loan consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a lender and a loan consultant. Additionally, a loan consultant has an average salary of $38,876, which is higher than the $37,723 average annual salary of a lender.

The top three skills for a lender include customer service, loan applications and business development. The most important skills for a loan consultant are loan applications, origination, and customer service.

Lender vs loan consultant overview

LenderLoan Consultant
Yearly salary$37,723$38,876
Hourly rate$18.14$18.69
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs6,46523,448
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a lender do?

A Lender is a financial institution, an individual, or a private or public group that provides loans to a business or an individual. As a lender, you will evaluate a borrower's creditworthiness by assessing loan applications. You will be responsible for determining an applicant's financial eligibility and all applicable metrics and ratios. Other duties might include setting up plans for debt payment, counseling clients on restrictions and policies, and maintaining and updating account records. Also, you will need to update your knowledge on the different loan types and financial services.

What does a loan consultant do?

A Loan Consultant specializes in assessing loan applications to ensure potential clients uphold their financial obligations. Their responsibilities include conducting interviews with applicants, reviewing and verifying documentation, and evaluating financial credit and other records. They may also answer inquiries, advise potential clients on which program suits them the best, and help them understand every procedure. Moreover, there are also instances when they must handle delinquent accounts, reach out to clients, and negotiate payment terms when necessary.

Lender vs loan consultant salary

Lenders and loan consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

LenderLoan Consultant
Average salary$37,723$38,876
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $55,000Between $27,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASioux Falls, SD
Highest paying stateSouth DakotaSouth Dakota
Best paying companyCitiAccion
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between lender and loan consultant education

There are a few differences between a lender and a loan consultant in terms of educational background:

LenderLoan Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lender vs loan consultant demographics

Here are the differences between lenders' and loan consultants' demographics:

LenderLoan Consultant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 49.2% Female, 50.8%Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between lender and loan consultant duties and responsibilities

Lender example responsibilities.

  • Manage a multifacete commercial real estate investment firm.
  • Coordinate the real estate transactions including appraisals, inspections, loan origination and timely closing.
  • Point of contact between external company affiliate loan origination branches and licensing agencies.
  • Complete quarterly updates on all regulations and requirements to maintain NMLS nationwide licensing program.
  • Work directly with consumers as well as real estate agents, CPA's and attorneys.

Loan consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage a multifacete commercial real estate investment firm.
  • Facilitate the entire residential loan transaction from underwriting under regulatory compliance, processing, loan origination and marketing.
  • Originate conventional, FHA, VA and PHFA mortgages, while establishing and maintaining relationships with referral sources.
  • Consult with attorneys, VA & FHA, appraisers, and construction and lending officials for loan conveyances and loan closings.
  • Validate income, assets and credit/liability documentation to support origination underwriting guidelines in addition to collection of supporting documentation.
  • Maintain a sound knowledge of investor guidelines, DU guidelines.
  • Show more

Lender vs loan consultant skills

Common lender skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Loan Applications, 8%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Bank Products, 6%
  • Origination, 6%
  • Loan Portfolio, 5%
Common loan consultant skills
  • Loan Applications, 21%
  • Origination, 11%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Inbound Calls, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%

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