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What does a mortgage processor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a mortgage processor do

A mortgage processor is responsible for reviewing mortgage loan applications, evaluating applicants' documents, and verifying their eligibility for approval. Mortgage processors consider the applicant's financial statements, credit score, and other possible mortgage options. They also interview loan applicants to confirm the accuracy of submitted documents and keep them updated with the progress and final decisions. A mortgage processor works closely with the underwriting department for loan applications subject for further review. The mortgage processor needs to have a broad knowledge of the banking industry and loan procedures to guide the applicants with their application inquiries and concerns.

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Mortgage processor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real mortgage processor resumes:

  • Manage applicant s mortgage applications from origination to closing, ensuring service excellence and adhering to federal and compliance guidelines
  • Function in processing role for streamline first market mortgage transactions pursuant to Fannie, Freddie, VA and FHA policy guidelines.
  • Support FNMA portfolio loans in default and imminent default loans with a focus on loan modifications.
  • Work directly with FNMA counselors to negotiate mortgage terms for the homeowner that will prevent foreclosure.
  • Comply with bank, investor and regulatory guidelines while having a strong understanding of RESPA, HDMA, and ECOA guidelines.
  • Generate accurate RESPA require disclosures.
  • Order and review IRS transcripts and social security verifications.
  • Compile, analyze and electronically transmit files to corporate underwriters for conventional and FHA residential first mortgage approval.
  • Validate, update and correct data/documentation as necessary in all origination and processing systems for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
  • Respond to mortgage lenders and taxing agency jurisdictions by utilizing effective verbal and written communication in a prompt and accurate manner.
  • Obtain and to verity LTV on all home loans
  • Calculate DTI ratios and LTV ratios, review appraisals, titles and income information.
  • Search in LPS (loan processing system) for rush files to see if assign to funder.

Mortgage processor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Mortgage Processors are proficient in Customer Service, FHA, and Va. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Organizational skills.

We break down the percentage of Mortgage Processors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 24%

    Extended customer service by conducting follow-ups vi email/phone and ensured they were comfortable and fully understood documentation requested by the underwriter.

  • FHA, 6%

    Compiled, analyzed and electronically transmitted files to corporate underwriters for conventional and FHA residential first mortgage approval.

  • Va, 6%

    Received and reviewed Conventional and Veteran Administration (VA) loan applications for completeness via an Automated Underwriting System.

  • Underwriting Guidelines, 6%

    Analyzed information to ensure each file remained within underwriting guidelines & forwarded completed files & recommendations.

  • Property Appraisals, 6%

    Analyzed financial statements, property appraisals, tax returns and credit documentation for accuracy and compliance to investor/lender guidelines.

  • Origination, 5%

    Assisted in facilitating refinances, debt consolidation and new origination transactions regarding residential Real Estate.

Common skills that a mortgage processor uses to do their job include "customer service," "fha," and "va." You can find details on the most important mortgage processor responsibilities below.

Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a mortgage processor to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "financial clerks should be able to explain policies and procedures to colleagues and customers." Additionally, a mortgage processor resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintained communication and prepared submission loan packages for all investors. "

Math skills. Another essential skill to perform mortgage processor duties is math skills. Mortgage processors responsibilities require that "the job duties of financial clerks includes calculating charges and updating financial records." Mortgage processors also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "utilize basic business math to calculate income, assets, taxes and monthly insurance. "

Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of mortgage processors is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday mortgage processor duties, as "financial clerks must be able to arrange files so they can find them quickly and efficiently." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "review files for accuracy and completeness of data while complying with federal regulations and organizational policies. "

See the full list of mortgage processor skills

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Compare different mortgage processors

Mortgage processor vs. Loan specialist

A loan specialist is in charge of processing loans to make transactions easier for the clients. They usually work in banks, lending firms, and other financial institutions. One of their primary responsibilities is to guide clients to understand what program works best for them, assist in filling out forms, gathering requirements, and verifying authenticity. There are also instances where a loan specialist must discern whether a client can uphold financial obligations using the information collected. Furthermore, it is also their responsibility to produce and submit reports to creditors or lenders.

The annual salary of loan specialists is $2,554 higher than the average salary of mortgage processors.Even though mortgage processors and loan specialists are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, fha, and credit reports in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mortgage processor are more likely to require skills like "strong customer service," "va," "underwriting guidelines," and "property appraisals." On the other hand, a job as a loan specialist requires skills like "loan applications," "outbound calls," "mortgage loans," and "escrow." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Loan specialists really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $48,154. Comparatively, mortgage processors tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $46,049.loan specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than mortgage processors. In fact, loan specialists are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage processor vs. Loan closer

A loan closer is primarily in charge of handling and closing loan documentation, ensuring accuracy and smooth transactions. A loan closer's responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to guarantee that they adhere to every term in the contract, preparing necessary reports and documents, monitoring payment progress, and ensuring that they have a deep understanding of the obligations under the contract. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and assist clients, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

A career as a loan closer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a mortgage processor. In fact, loan closers salary is $1,434 lower than the salary of mortgage processors per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both mortgage processors and loan closers have skills such as "customer service," "fha," and "va."

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mortgage processor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "strong customer service," "underwriting guidelines," "property appraisals," and "mortgage processing." Meanwhile, a loan closer has duties that require skills in areas such as "excellent organizational," "data entry," "booking," and "loan proceeds." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, loan closers earn a lower salary than mortgage processors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, loan closers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $40,817. Whereas mortgage processors have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $46,049.loan closers earn similar levels of education than mortgage processors in general. They're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage processor vs. Post closer

Post closers require an associate degree or certification in addition to 1-3 years of related experience. Skills in customer support, document review, loan processing, quality assurance processing, and loan software are also necessary for this career. Port closers assist with the mortgage loan closing process by reviewing loan documents for compliance, completeness, and accuracy. They also find missing information, prepare files and provide internal and external customer support.

On average scale, post closers bring in lower salaries than mortgage processors. In fact, they earn a $2,482 lower salary per year.By looking over several mortgage processors and post closers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "fha," "va," and "usda." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, mortgage processors are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "strong customer service," "underwriting guidelines," and "property appraisals." But a post closer is more likely to have skills like "post-closer," "escrow," "mers," and "title policies."

Post closers earn the highest salary when working in the insurance industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,625. Comparatively, mortgage processors have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $46,049.Most post closers achieve a similar degree level compared to mortgage processors. For example, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage processor vs. Loan servicing specialist

A loan servicing specialist is an individual who reviews, authorizes, and recommends commercial and personal loans for approval. It is the loan officer who meets with their applicants to identify their creditworthiness. Typically, they work at credit unions, commercial banks, mortgage companies, and financial institutions. They ensure operational risk controls, regulatory policies and standards, and compliance. Among the skills necessary for the job include customer service and relations, leadership, analytical skills, and communication skills.

Loan servicing specialists average a higher salary than the annual salary of mortgage processors. The difference is about $25,272 per year.While their salaries may vary, mortgage processors and loan servicing specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "fha," and "credit reports. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between mortgage processors and loan servicing specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mortgage processor might have more use for skills like "strong customer service," "va," "underwriting guidelines," and "property appraisals." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of loan servicing specialists require skills like "loan modifications," "foreclosure process," "real estate," and "loss mitigation. "

The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for loan servicing specialists, with average annual pay of $59,466. Comparatively, the highest mortgage processor annual salary comes from the professional industry.The average resume of loan servicing specialists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to mortgage processors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of mortgage processor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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