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Loan originator vs personal lines underwriter

The differences between loan originators and personal lines underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a personal lines underwriter has an average salary of $69,706, which is higher than the $41,291 average annual salary of a loan originator.

The top three skills for a loan originator include customer service, origination and FHA. The most important skills for a personal lines underwriter are insurance policies, underwriting decisions, and loss ratio.

Loan originator vs personal lines underwriter overview

Loan OriginatorPersonal Lines Underwriter
Yearly salary$41,291$69,706
Hourly rate$19.85$33.51
Growth rate4%-4%
Number of jobs10,71619,754
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4544
Years of experience6-

What does a loan originator do?

A Loan Originator is a potential liaison between borrowers and lenders. They help borrowers complete loan applications and evaluate which loans are most appropriate for the customers.

What does a personal lines underwriter do?

A personal lines underwriter works at insurance companies to ensure that clients are eligible to receive insurance services. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing insurance applications, verifying client information, studying financial histories and occupational risks, and conducting interviews. They may also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, and updating databases. Moreover, a personal lines underwriter typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Loan originator vs personal lines underwriter salary

Loan originators and personal lines underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Loan OriginatorPersonal Lines Underwriter
Average salary$41,291$69,706
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $60,000Between $43,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateSouth DakotaNew York
Best paying companyCentennial BankCapital Group
Best paying industryTransportationInsurance

Differences between loan originator and personal lines underwriter education

There are a few differences between a loan originator and a personal lines underwriter in terms of educational background:

Loan OriginatorPersonal Lines Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Loan originator vs personal lines underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between loan originators' and personal lines underwriters' demographics:

Loan OriginatorPersonal Lines Underwriter
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 54.0% Female, 46.0%Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 5.7% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between loan originator and personal lines underwriter duties and responsibilities

Loan originator example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage the processing staff and also underwrite conventional loans for correspondent lenders.
  • Complete yearly the NMLS continuing education requirements.
  • Direct lender with FNMA while maintaining all loan servicing.
  • Increase revenues and product awareness by cross-selling service lines and packages.
  • Complete a rigorous training program and have obtained 25 NMLS state licensing requirements to be a loan originator.
  • Review FHA case number assignments, mortgage credit rejects and refinances authorizations to determine qualification.
  • Show more

Personal lines underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.
  • Review individual mortgage origination/post origination documentation and perform database research.

Loan originator vs personal lines underwriter skills

Common loan originator skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Origination, 9%
  • FHA, 6%
  • Va, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
Common personal lines underwriter skills
  • Insurance Policies, 12%
  • Underwriting Decisions, 9%
  • Loss Ratio, 9%
  • Strong Analytical, 6%
  • Inspection Reports, 5%
  • Renewal Retention, 5%

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