How to hire a mortgage banker

How to hire a mortgage banker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mortgage banker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a mortgage banker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new mortgage banker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The mortgage banker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A mortgage banker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, mortgage bankers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents mortgage banker salaries for various positions.

   Type of Mortgage Banker	Description	Hourly rate
   Mortgage Banker	Loan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications for people and businesses.	$4-37
   Personal Lines Underwriter	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... Show more	$20-53
   Loan Administrator	A Loan Administrator is a person that takes care of all the documentation part of the loan process. Loans require a lot of documents and requirements, and a loan administrator is a person that helps the client accomplish all these requirements... Show more	$14-28

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • NMLS
   • Federal Regulations
   • Bank Products
   • Loan Programs
   • Origination
   • FHA
   • Credit Data
   • Cross-Selling
   • Residential Mortgage Loans
   • Loan Products
   • USDA
   • RESPA
   • Fannie MAE

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Coach new Jr. HMC's, lead team Jr. meetings and activities.
   • Establish residential and commercial lending relationships, telephone loan origination of conventional and non-conventional mortgage products to include VA/FHA options.
   • Register with NMLS to sell mortgage products
   • Initiate the stabilization of client relationships and leverage cross-selling and promotional opportunities.
   • Gain valuable knowledge about USDA loans
   • Specialize in 203K and FNMA HomePath.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your mortgage banker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A mortgage banker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, mortgage bankers' average salary in mississippi is 58% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mortgage bankers 88% less than senior-level mortgage bankers.
   • Certifications. A mortgage banker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a mortgage banker's salary.

   Average mortgage banker salary

   $13.14hourly

   $27,331 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level mortgage banker salary

   $9,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a mortgage banker job description

   A good mortgage banker job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a mortgage banker job description:

   Mortgage banker job description example

   The Junior Mortgage Banker proactively solicits new residential mortgage business and sells Renasant mortgage products to meet established loan quality and production goals. In addition, this individual is responsible for the performance of, but not limited to, the below listed duties:
   RENASANT BANK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
   
   Responsibilities
   
   * Identifies, develops and maintains a quality network of business relationships that serves as a recurring source of referrals for new mortgage lending opportunities
   * Conducts interviews with prospective borrowers in order to analyze financial and credit date, determine customer financing objectives, advise customers of product/pricing policies and guidelines, and gather any additional required information
   * Work with Mortgage Processor and Mortgage Operations to ensure that loan documents are submitted to Mortgage Operations within specified time frame
   * Work with Mortgage Processor and Mortgage Operations to ensure loan conditions are met and continue on-going communication to customer regarding loan status
   * Ensures exceptional customer service by maintaining thorough knowledge of lending programs, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements
   * Regularly participates in community efforts to promote home ownership
   * Complies with all Federal and State compliance policies and adheres to HMDA requirements
   * Meets with customers as necessary during various stages of loan process
   * Provides complete loan applications to Operations center partners
   * Utilizes Renasant mortgage training materials, reference tools and other resources to provide accurate and up-to-date loan program/policy information to both external customers and internal business partners
   * Achieves production goals as established by Renasant Mortgage
   * Oversees and ensures successful completion of all assigned Mortgage Banker training activities
   * Responsible for complying with BSA policies and procedures
   * Other related duties as assigned
   
   Qualifications
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent
   * One to two years job-related experience
   * Ability to originate 1-4 family residential mortgage products
   * Thorough knowledge of FHLMC/FNMA, FHA, VA and other general mortgage banking lending procedures and requirements
   * Ability to deal cordially with the public
   * Ability to organize time effectively
   * Ability to comprehend and learn in a short period of time
   * Ability to represent Renasant Bank in a professional manner projecting the image of "Customer Focused Banking"
   
   Physical Demands
   
   The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand or sit; kneel, stoop, or squat; use hands or fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.
   
   Work Environment
   
   The Bank's professional working environment requires employees to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Employees must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills when working closely with internal business partners and external clients. Employees may be exposed to confidential and propriety information within the working environment, therefore, must uphold confidentiality at all times. Due to the possibility of being exposed to high risk situations (i.e. robbery), detailed instructions and procedures are required to be followed at all times to safeguard the Bank's employees, customers, and assets.
   
   The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The principal duties and responsibilities enumerated are all essential job functions except for those that begin with the word "May".
   
   This job description is intended to describe the normal level of work required by the person performing the work. The principle duties outlined are the essential responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned as needs arise.
   
   This description is not intended as a contract and is subject to change. Any written contractual agreements supersede this job description. All requirements may be modified to accommodate physically or mentally challenged staff members reasonably.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find mortgage bankers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any mortgage bankers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level mortgage bankers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your mortgage banker job on Zippia to find and recruit mortgage banker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit mortgage bankers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new mortgage banker

   Once you've decided on a perfect mortgage banker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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