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Loan processor vs loan consultant

The differences between loan processors and loan consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a loan processor, becoming a loan consultant takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a loan consultant has an average salary of $38,876, which is higher than the $38,122 average annual salary of a loan processor.

The top three skills for a loan processor include loan applications, customer service and property appraisals. The most important skills for a loan consultant are loan applications, origination, and customer service.

Loan processor vs loan consultant overview

Loan ProcessorLoan Consultant
Yearly salary$38,122$38,876
Hourly rate$18.33$18.69
Growth rate-3%4%
Number of jobs16,22823,448
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4245
Years of experience46

What does a loan processor do?

A loan processor is responsible for assisting customers with their loan requests, ensuring their eligibility, and choosing the best loan options for their needs. Loan processors carefully review loan application documents and prepare loan proposals for underwriting, analyzing the applicant's financial status and credit scores, processing repayment plans, and adhering to banking and financial regulations. A loan processor must have excellent knowledge of the banking industry and processes to provide the best loan services for the customers efficiently and accurately.

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.

Loan processor vs loan consultant salary

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

Loan ProcessorLoan Consultant
Average salary$38,122$38,876
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $27,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASioux Falls, SD
Highest paying stateWest VirginiaSouth Dakota
Best paying companyStanford UniversityAccion
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between loan processor and loan consultant education

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

Loan ProcessorLoan Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Loan processor vs loan consultant demographics

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

Loan ProcessorLoan Consultant
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 20.6% Female, 79.4%Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage7%8%

Differences between loan processor and loan consultant duties and responsibilities

Loan processor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a monthly pipeline averaging 100 files from origination to funding per month as a Jr. processor.
  • Review and verify documentation consistent with company policies and compliance of FNMA, FHLMC, FHA/VA, USDA guidelines.
  • Gather all documentation necessary to process mortgage loans in accordance with FNMA and credit union guidelines/requirements.
  • Disclose and re-disclose the LE's and Prelim TRID require CD.
  • Upload monthly reports to FHLMC including principal & interest reports, delinquent loans and appraisals.
  • Ensure conditions on USDA commitments are met and loan files are prepared for closing on time.
  • Show more

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

Loan processor vs loan consultant skills

Common loan processor skills
  • Loan Applications, 22%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Property Appraisals, 5%
  • Mortgage Loans, 5%
  • Credit Reports, 5%
  • FHA, 4%
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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