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Underwriter vs commercial loan officer

The differences between underwriters and commercial loan officers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a commercial loan officer has an average salary of $70,876, which is higher than the $61,751 average annual salary of an underwriter.

The top three skills for an underwriter include customer service, investor guidelines and mortgage loans. The most important skills for a commercial loan officer are customer service, loan portfolio, and financial statements.

Underwriter vs commercial loan officer overview

UnderwriterCommercial Loan Officer
Yearly salary$61,751$70,876
Hourly rate$29.69$34.08
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs8,51091,582
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4445
Years of experience-6

What does an underwriter do?

An underwriter's duties depend on the line of work or industry involved, such as mortgage companies, insurance, or lending firms. However, an Underwriter's responsibility will mainly revolve around using their extensive expertise on how a company will achieve financial gains, and assessing the possible financial risks of a client by reviewing various aspects to determine their capacity to uphold monetary obligations. Most of the time, the Underwriter's tasks will also involve evaluating a client's credit history, health, assets, overall financial history.

What does a commercial loan officer do?

Commercial loan officers are financial professionals who are responsible for assessing and processing business loan applications at financial institutions. These loan officers must advise clients about their suitable loan and credit options while consulting with managers on credit policies, credit lines, and procedures. They are required to obtain and assess the financial information of applicants that includes their financial statements and credit histories. Commercial loan officers must also collaborate with other financial institutions to set up loan packages for extensive loans.

Underwriter vs commercial loan officer salary

Underwriters and commercial loan officers have different pay scales, as shown below.

UnderwriterCommercial Loan Officer
Average salary$61,751$70,876
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $96,000Between $50,000 And $100,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAFort Lee, NJ
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMaine
Best paying companyGoogleGlacier Ban
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between underwriter and commercial loan officer education

There are a few differences between an underwriter and a commercial loan officer in terms of educational background:

UnderwriterCommercial Loan Officer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Underwriter vs commercial loan officer demographics

Here are the differences between underwriters' and commercial loan officers' demographics:

UnderwriterCommercial Loan Officer
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.6% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between underwriter and commercial loan officer duties and responsibilities

Underwriter example responsibilities.

  • Attain Jr. underwriter status and AUS underwriting authority.
  • Manage AUS findings and analyze approvals and results accordingly.
  • Complete initial review of appraisals, borrower credit documents, and DU/LP findings according to Fannie Mae and investor guidelines.
  • Research and develop SBA program.
  • Work on project putting together HPR policy.
  • Resolve issues preventing final disposition of REO properties.
  • Show more

Commercial loan officer example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage mortgage loan department along with commercial consumer, SBA and real estate lending producing additional revenue stream.
  • Manage a multifacete commercial real estate investment firm.
  • Mortgage underwriter for FHA direct endorsement, VA authorize & FNMA delegate programs.
  • Sign and issue payroll checks to contractors hire to complete REO projects.
  • Secure new loans, investment accounts, treasury management products and depository accounts.
  • Compile figures for sales amount prior to selling real estate own (REO).
  • Show more

Underwriter vs commercial loan officer skills

Common underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Investor Guidelines, 6%
  • Mortgage Loans, 5%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
  • FHA, 3%
Common commercial loan officer skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Loan Portfolio, 8%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Commercial Loans, 4%
  • Bank Products, 4%

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