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Underwriting specialist vs mortgage banker

The differences between underwriting specialists and mortgage bankers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an underwriting specialist has an average salary of $63,325, which is higher than the $27,331 average annual salary of a mortgage banker.

The top three skills for an underwriting specialist include customer service, underwriting guidelines and financial statements. The most important skills for a mortgage banker are customer service, NMLS, and federal regulations.

Underwriting specialist vs mortgage banker overview

Underwriting SpecialistMortgage Banker
Yearly salary$63,325$27,331
Hourly rate$30.44$13.14
Growth rate-4%4%
Number of jobs25,16424,297
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4445
Years of experience-6

What does an underwriting specialist do?

An underwriting specialist is responsible for reviewing clients' applications in availing financial services and determining their eligibility by analyzing credit scores and risk potential. Underwriting specialists record all necessary information and may ask for additional requirements for further investigation. They assess policy applications and implement terms and conditions upon approval and ensure that the clients understood the process to prevent miscommunication and payment delays. An underwriting specialist must have extensive knowledge of the loan and insurance disciplines to identify coverage and limitations for efficient contract negotiations.

What does a mortgage banker do?

A Mortgage Banker is specialized in offering financing to buy homes or refinance previous mortgages. They work as part of a banks loan department.

Underwriting specialist vs mortgage banker salary

Underwriting specialists and mortgage bankers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Underwriting SpecialistMortgage Banker
Average salary$63,325$27,331
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $101,000Between $9,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying stateMassachusetts-
Best paying companyAIG-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between underwriting specialist and mortgage banker education

There are a few differences between an underwriting specialist and a mortgage banker in terms of educational background:

Underwriting SpecialistMortgage Banker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Underwriting specialist vs mortgage banker demographics

Here are the differences between underwriting specialists' and mortgage bankers' demographics:

Underwriting SpecialistMortgage Banker
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 39.0% Female, 61.0%Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 5.8% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%8%

Differences between underwriting specialist and mortgage banker duties and responsibilities

Underwriting specialist example responsibilities.

  • Risk assessment to achieve profitability on assign book of business through renewal calculations and RFP responses.
  • Manage the execution of underwriting, portfolio analysis and account- base decision making in accordance with establish guidelines and processes.
  • Work closely with post-closing on VA deficiency response and actions, in addition to HUD & FNMA.
  • Analyze risk and apply underwriting guidelines to decision loan applications and grow profitable loan portfolio.
  • Underwrite PPO, EPO, HMO, POS and other health benefits.
  • Mentore, and utilize strong negotiation skills working with diverse group of associates.
  • Show more

Mortgage banker example responsibilities.

  • Coach new Jr. HMC's, lead team Jr. meetings and activities.
  • Establish residential and commercial lending relationships, telephone loan origination of conventional and non-conventional mortgage products to include VA/FHA options.
  • Register with NMLS to sell mortgage products
  • Initiate the stabilization of client relationships and leverage cross-selling and promotional opportunities.
  • Gain valuable knowledge about USDA loans
  • Specialize in 203K and FNMA HomePath.
  • Show more

Underwriting specialist vs mortgage banker skills

Common underwriting specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Underwriting Guidelines, 9%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Underwriting Process, 5%
  • Life Insurance, 5%
  • Loss Control, 4%
Common mortgage banker skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • NMLS, 6%
  • Federal Regulations, 5%
  • Bank Products, 5%
  • Loan Programs, 5%
  • Origination, 4%

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