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Underwriter vs senior credit analyst

The differences between underwriters and senior credit analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a senior credit analyst has an average salary of $86,364, 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 senior credit analyst are credit analysis, customer service, and real estate.

Underwriter vs senior credit analyst overview

UnderwriterSenior Credit Analyst
Yearly salary$61,751$86,364
Hourly rate$29.69$41.52
Growth rate-4%17%
Number of jobs8,51015,221
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4439
Years of experience-2

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 senior credit analyst do?

A senior credit analyst is responsible for reviewing the loan applications of an individual and organization, determining their eligibility by evaluating their credit scores and financial history. Senior credit analysts assess the applicant's capability to pay according to terms and conditions and loan payment plans. They submit recommendation reports of qualified applicants for further investigation and have them submit additional documents as needed. A senior credit analyst decides on credit limits and may provide the applicants' loan and credit alternatives, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of the financial industry and loan options.

Underwriter vs senior credit analyst salary

Underwriters and senior credit analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

UnderwriterSenior Credit Analyst
Average salary$61,751$86,364
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $96,000Between $59,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWhite Plains, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyGoogleApple
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between underwriter and senior credit analyst education

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

UnderwriterSenior Credit Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Underwriter vs senior credit analyst demographics

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

UnderwriterSenior Credit Analyst
Average age4439
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
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, 8.3% Unknown, 2.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 10.0% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between underwriter and senior credit analyst 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

Senior credit analyst example responsibilities.

  • Supervise staff of 20-30 credit professionals managing an $80 - $100 million A/R portfolio consistently exceeding aging goals.
  • Partner with small and entrepreneurial business to develop business plans and assist business owners with achieving payroll.
  • Maintain customer master database in ERP.
  • Pull all back-up documentation for quarterly SOX compliance audit.
  • Ensure policies and procedures are follow in accordance with SOX guidelines.
  • Resolve and communicate insufficient check and ACH issues with customers and sales.
  • Show more

Underwriter vs senior credit analyst skills

Common underwriter skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Investor Guidelines, 6%
  • Mortgage Loans, 5%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 5%
  • Financial Statements, 4%
  • FHA, 3%
Common senior credit analyst skills
  • Credit Analysis, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Real Estate, 6%
  • Risk Management, 4%
  • Credit Risk, 4%
  • Loan Portfolio, 4%

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