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Senior underwriter vs commercial underwriter

The differences between senior underwriters and commercial underwriters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior underwriter has an average salary of $69,375, which is higher than the $59,051 average annual salary of a commercial underwriter.

The top three skills for a senior underwriter include customer service, portfolio and underwriting guidelines. The most important skills for a commercial underwriter are real estate, customer service, and financial analysis.

Senior underwriter vs commercial underwriter overview

Senior UnderwriterCommercial Underwriter
Yearly salary$69,375$59,051
Hourly rate$33.35$28.39
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs6,72631,908
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a senior underwriter do?

A senior underwriter is responsible for evaluating the eligibility of an applicant for loan application processing. Senior underwriters verify the applicant's information, including their credit score and other valid documents, ensuring that the applicant fulfills the loan application's parameters. They check the applicant's portfolios and provide them the next necessary steps and the alternatives for loan types. A senior underwriter must have excellent knowledge of the loan processes and underwriting procedures to analyze applications and make accurate decisions.

What does a commercial underwriter do?

A commercial underwriter is responsible for processing commercial loan applications, evaluating payment agreements and terms of service, validating customers' information, and requesting additional documents as needed. Commercial underwriters analyze the credit qualifications of an applicant, including financial history, account statements, and outstanding loan applications, if any. They identify potential credit risks for the loan request and advice the applicants for alternative loan options according to their needs and qualifications. A commercial underwriter responds to the applicants' inquiries and concerns regarding their loan applications and provides timely decisions for their requests.

Senior underwriter vs commercial underwriter salary

Senior underwriters and commercial underwriters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior UnderwriterCommercial Underwriter
Average salary$69,375$59,051
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $108,000Between $41,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYOlympia, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyCapital GroupJ.P. Morgan
Best paying industryInsuranceFinance

Differences between senior underwriter and commercial underwriter education

There are a few differences between a senior underwriter and a commercial underwriter in terms of educational background:

Senior UnderwriterCommercial Underwriter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior underwriter vs commercial underwriter demographics

Here are the differences between senior underwriters' and commercial underwriters' demographics:

Senior UnderwriterCommercial Underwriter
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between senior underwriter and commercial underwriter duties and responsibilities

Senior underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Perform underwriter approval/declines on FHA, VA, FmHA and conventional loan applications providing financing for one-to-four family residential properties.
  • Fix and n variable annuities.
  • Check for the accuracy and proper recording of UCC filings and mortgages.
  • Order and review flood searches, title reports, UCC searches, appraisals, insurance policies and binders, and contracts.
  • Review preliminary HUD-1 for accuracy.
  • Show more

Commercial underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Handle new and renewal multi-line policies.
  • Quoted new business and handle multi-line commercial accounts for this retailer.
  • Front office administration; maintain A/R and A/P for 1000+ commercial lines clients and 2000+ personal lines clients.
  • Market banking services to individuals, as well as to small businesses and corporations through networking and cross-selling.
  • Update loan origination systems to ensure that pipeline reports reflect the most current status for active loan in process.
  • Work along with the owner and accounting staff on all financial matters, A/R, A/P, payroll, and taxes.
  • Show more

Senior underwriter vs commercial underwriter skills

Common senior underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common commercial underwriter skills
  • Real Estate, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Financial Analysis, 8%
  • Credit Analysis, 6%
  • Cash Flow, 4%
  • Risk Management, 4%

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