Bank Loan Officer Salary: Job Description, Salary, and Career Prospects

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As a bank loan officer, you'll be responsible for evaluating loan applications, assessing creditworthiness, and making informed decisions about loan approvals. Your primary goal is to ensure that loans are granted to borrowers who can repay them.

Bank loan officers typically work in a fast-paced office environment, often meeting with clients to discuss loan options and terms. They must be skilled communicators, able to explain complex financial concepts to borrowers.

The median annual salary for bank loan officers in the United States is around $64,000, although salaries can range from $40,000 to over $100,000 depending on experience and location.

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Job Description and Requirements

As a loan officer, you'll be responsible for guiding clients through the loan process, and that requires a unique blend of people skills and industry knowledge. You'll be the point person for borrowers seeking loans from financial institutions.

Your day will be filled with tasks like collecting financial documentation, assessing creditworthiness, and walking clients through lending products. You'll also need to stay up-to-date on industry policies and regulations.

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To get started, you may need to be licensed, which can vary depending on the state, company, and specific position. Some employers may require a bachelor's degree, while others may welcome newbies with no experience.

Here are some key requirements to keep in mind:

  • Licenses: May be required, depending on state and company
  • Degree: Bachelor's degree preferred, but not always necessary
  • Experience: May not be required, especially for entry-level positions

Duties and Requirements

As a loan officer, your day will be filled with interacting with people who are at a turning point in their lives, making decisions backed by big money. You'll be responsible for making decisions that can impact people's financial futures.

To succeed in this role, you'll need to be able to collect applicants' financial documentation, such as tax returns and credit history. You'll also need to assess potential borrowers' creditworthiness and needs.

Loan officers are responsible for filling out and submitting mortgage loan applications on behalf of their clients. They must also ensure compliance with federal and local industry standards. This includes overseeing documentation as it gets sent to the underwriting department.

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In addition to these primary job duties, loan officers are also responsible for building a reliable network of clients, real estate agents, and lenders. They must stay on top of market trends and industry policies to provide the best possible service to their clients.

To become a loan officer, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in a field such as business, finance, or accounting. However, some employers may offer on-the-job training, and in some cases, a mortgage broker's license may be required.

Commission

As a mortgage loan officer in Texas, you can earn a decent commission. Commissions are tallied according to Basis Points (BPS) per loan, with 1 Basis Point equal to 1/100 of 1%. For instance, at 25 BPS for a mortgage of $200,000, you could be making a $500 commission.

The typical commission for a Mortgage Loan Officer in Texas can range from 100 to 150 BPS, even for rookie loan officers. The more you prospect for your own clients, the higher your commission tends to be.

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Working for a boutique agency or going it alone can result in a much higher commission split compared to working for a large financial institution like a bank or credit union. In fact, you could make an annual commission of $20,400 as a loan officer in Texas, according to information submitted by real-world MLOs.

The Truth in Lending Act ensures that loan officers don't recommend lending products that could benefit them financially but not the customer. Creditors are also prohibited from compensating officers with anything beyond the credit extended.

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Originators vs Brokers

As a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), you'll oversee the process of real estate loans from initiation to closing, which involves collecting and reviewing financial documents.

A Mortgage Loan Originator could be an individual or entity that oversees the process of real estate loans right from initiation to closing. This is often the case with banks or credit unions.

Mortgage Brokers perform the same tasks as Mortgage Loan Officers, but they work for several lenders rather than a single institution.

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The main difference between Mortgage Loan Originators and Mortgage Brokers is that Brokers work for multiple lenders, which can give applicants access to a range of lending products.

One of the perks of being a Mortgage Loan Originator is the freedom to work for a company and earn a stable paycheck.

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Career Advancement

As a loan officer, career advancement opportunities are available, but they may not be as straightforward as you'd think.

You could potentially move from a junior loan officer to a senior loan officer, but this usually means little more than having been around a bit longer.

Most loan officers don't advance internally within a company, instead switching to a new company that offers better commissions.

This can lead to a significant bump in compensation levels, and it's not uncommon for loan officers to be offered a six-figure bonus to change companies.

Some loan officers also choose to create and manage a large book of business, which can make them attractive to other companies and potentially lead to a lucrative offer.

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You may also consider applying for a broker's license, which can open up new opportunities and eventually allow you to employ your own loan officers and take a cut of their earnings.

For those who aren't cut out for sales, there's still a possibility to shift to the operations side of things in a mortgage-related occupation.

Here are some potential career advancement paths for loan officers:

  • Senior Loan Officer: a lateral move with little change in responsibilities
  • Starting your own MLO business: a way to take control of your career and earnings
  • Operations: a shift into a mortgage-related occupation that doesn't involve sales
  • Broker's license: a means to expand your opportunities and potentially earn more

Job Responsibilities

As a loan officer, your day-to-day responsibilities will keep you on your toes. You'll be interacting with people at a turning point in their lives, helping them navigate the complex process of securing a loan.

You'll need to collect applicants' financial documentation, including tax returns and credit history. This information will help you assess their creditworthiness and determine the most compatible lending products for their profile.

Your job will also require you to build a reliable network of clients, real estate agents, and lenders. You'll need to stay up-to-date on market trends, interest rates, and competitors to provide the best possible service to your clients.

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Here are some of the key responsibilities of a loan officer:

  • Collecting applicants' financial documentation
  • Assessing potential borrowers' creditworthiness and needs
  • Presenting borrowers with different home loan options
  • Coordinating with other mortgage industry professionals
  • Complying with privacy laws and confidentiality policies
  • Facilitating a smooth closing and resolving any issues in a timely manner

These responsibilities will take up a significant portion of your workweek, but they're essential to ensuring that your clients receive the best possible service.

Salaries

As a bank loan officer, your salary can vary greatly depending on your experience, location, and performance. The median annual wage for a loan officer in 2020 is $63,960, with the lowest 10% earning just under $32,820 and the top 10% earning over $132,290.

Your salary can also be influenced by your employer and job performance, with some loan officers earning a flat salary or hourly rate, while others earn commission on top of their regular compensation.

In Texas, the average annual income for a loan officer can range from $35,430 to $221,855, depending on the source. For example, Indeed estimates an average salary of $221,855, while SimplyHired puts it at $176,374.

The top mortgage loan officers in the US can make upwards of $226,774 per year, including base pay and additional pay, such as cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing.

Here's a breakdown of average annual salaries for loan officers in different states, according to ZipRecruiter:

Keep in mind that these figures are just a starting point, and your actual salary can vary greatly depending on your specific situation and performance.

Salary by Location and Experience

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The median annual wage for a loan officer in the United States is $63,960, but salaries can vary widely depending on location and experience.

In Texas, loan officers can earn significantly more, with some sources estimating annual salaries ranging from $156,890 to $325,052.

The top 10 highest-paying cities in Texas for loan officers include locations such as Austin and Dallas, where salaries can reach upwards of $200,000 per year.

Here's a breakdown of the average loan officer salary in the top 10 highest-paying states:

Keep in mind that these figures are based on national averages and can vary depending on individual performance and location.

Top Paid Cities for MLOs

If you're considering a career as a mortgage loan officer, you'll want to know which cities offer the highest pay. According to data from ZipRecruiter, the top 10 highest-paid cities for loan officers in Texas are:

  • Austin, TX: $74,578 per year
  • Dallas, TX: $72,093 per year
  • San Antonio, TX: $69,101 per year
  • Houston, TX: $68,653 per year
  • El Paso, TX: $66,759 per year
  • Fort Worth, TX: $66,563 per year
  • Arlington, TX: $65,959 per year
  • Corpus Christi, TX: $65,649 per year
  • Plano, TX: $65,439 per year
  • Irving, TX: $64,939 per year

These cities offer a significant advantage for loan officers, with average salaries ranging from $64,939 to $74,578 per year. Keep in mind that salaries can vary depending on the company, experience, and other factors, but these cities are definitely worth considering if you're looking to maximize your earnings as a mortgage loan officer.

Multicity Work

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Working as a loan officer in multiple cities can be a great way to increase your income. You don't have to interact with clients in person, making it easier to work remotely.

Unlike real estate agents, loan officers can work with clients from any city in their licensed state. This is a great way to diversify your income streams and grow your business.

To boost your mortgage lender salary, you can obtain an MLO license in other states. However, the company you work for must also have a license for that state.

Some states require loan origination companies to have a physical presence, but others don't. Texas is one state that requires a physical presence, but there are ways to work around this requirement.

The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) processes MLO licenses across all 50 states, making it easier to work in multiple cities.

Salary by Profession and Skills

The salary of a bank loan officer can vary depending on the employer and job performance, but the median annual wage in 2020 was $63,960.

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According to the data, the lowest 10% of wage earners in this field earn a yearly salary of just under $32,820, while the top 10% earn an average salary of over $132,290.

Having a degree in accounting, economics, or finance can give you a competitive edge in this field, and having a real estate broker license can increase your salary by 51.70% compared to the baseline salary.

Salaries by Profession

The salary of a loan officer can vary greatly depending on the profession. The median annual wage for a loan officer in 2020 is $63,960.

Loan processors, mortgage loan originators, and underwriters are similar professions to loan officers, and their salaries can give you an idea of what to expect.

While loan officers can earn a median salary of $63,960, top earners in the field can make over $132,290 annually.

To become a top earner as a mortgage loan officer, you'll need to have the right skills and work ethic.

In Texas, the average salary for a loan officer is $66,759 per year, or roughly $32.10 per hour.

What About an?

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What About an Account Executive at a Wholesale Mortgage Lender?

An Account Executive at a wholesale mortgage lender might earn a commission of less than 10 bps per loan, which is lower than the commission of a loan officer at a big bank.

They might get a small base salary, along with benefits like 401k and insurance, which can be a plus.

The company might have a monthly quota that must be met to get paid the higher rates of commission, so it's essential to understand the company's compensation package.

If you don't close X million per month, you might get paid a lot less, possibly just a fixed dollar amount per loan, such as $250 or $500.

Krystal Bogisich

Lead Writer

Krystal Bogisich is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she has established herself as a versatile writer capable of tackling a wide range of topics. Her expertise spans multiple industries, including finance, where she has developed a particular interest in actuarial careers.

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