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Senior underwriter vs credit officer

The differences between senior underwriters and credit officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a credit officer has an average salary of $129,478, which is higher than the $69,375 average annual salary of a senior underwriter.

The top three skills for a senior underwriter include customer service, portfolio and underwriting guidelines. The most important skills for a credit officer are risk management, credit risk, and credit analysis.

Senior underwriter vs credit officer overview

Senior UnderwriterCredit Officer
Yearly salary$69,375$129,478
Hourly rate$33.35$62.25
Growth rate-4%17%
Number of jobs6,72660,323
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4439
Years of experience-2

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 credit officer do?

A credit officer is responsible for evaluating financial documents and account statements to determine the eligibility of an applicant for a loan option. Credit officers communicate with the applicant to discuss the loan process, explain the terms of service, and provide them alternative options that would fit their payment ability and loan needs. They create financial reports and recommend the qualified applicant to the manager for approval. A credit officer should have excellent communication and analytical skills, ensuring that the loan policies adhere to the federal and state regulations.

Senior underwriter vs credit officer salary

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

Senior UnderwriterCredit Officer
Average salary$69,375$129,478
Salary rangeBetween $44,000 And $108,000Between $85,000 And $196,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyCapital GroupFarm Credit System
Best paying industryInsuranceFinance

Differences between senior underwriter and credit officer education

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

Senior UnderwriterCredit Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior underwriter vs credit officer demographics

Here are the differences between senior underwriters' and credit officers' demographics:

Senior UnderwriterCredit Officer
Average age4439
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.7% Asian, 10.7% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between senior underwriter and credit officer 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

Credit officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage credit risk and provide independent oversight of the bank portfolio.
  • Manage the global function for an ERP software company that has a niche market in manufacturing companies.
  • Manage SBA construction/tenant improvement projects submit until project is completed.
  • Partner with small and entrepreneurial business to develop business plans and assist business owners with achieving payroll.
  • Review clients file for compliance with: CIP, OFAC, HMDA, CRA and red flag activities.
  • Audit applications for HUD and IHDA compliance.
  • Show more

Senior underwriter vs credit officer skills

Common senior underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Portfolio, 8%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%
  • SR, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common credit officer skills
  • Risk Management, 10%
  • Credit Risk, 7%
  • Credit Analysis, 5%
  • Real Estate, 4%
  • Credit Approval, 4%
  • Portfolio Management, 4%

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