Loan Counselors: Schools and Careers

Loan Counselors - Career Information

Loan Counselors

Loan counselors at banks, credit unions and other types of financial institutions help clients with creating a debt consolidation strategy and putting together personal loans. They also help clients with personal finance issues. A loan counselor helps people that find it difficult to qualify for traditional loans.

Those involved with loan counseling suggest the best type of loan for their clients and review with their clients the numerous requirements and restrictions of loans. A loan counselor processes their client's application materials, verifies the information and produces the required legal paperwork to finish the loan procedure. They also reschedule payments or restructure loans for clients that are having a difficult time making payments on their loans.

In some institutions loan counselors also act as salespersons and actively seek clients. Most loan counselors receive a salary but some also receive a commission for business they produce.

Responsibilities

• Examine applicant's financial situation, property evaluations and credit to determine the feasibility of providing a loan
• Review loan agreements to make sure they are complete and accurate
• Answer client's questions about existing loans
• Create payment priorities based on credit terms and interest rates to lower client's overall costs
• Give loans to loan committees for approval
• Approve loans within specific limits
• Interview applicants and request specific information
• Stay current with credit regulations

Job Characteristics

A loan processor should be detailed oriented and have good communication, math and interpersonal skills. They should also know how to use accounting software. They typically work forty hours per week and when they have a large number of clients they sometimes work some overtime.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of loan counselor jobs from 2006 to 2016 will grow at a rate that is comparable to other occupations. The median annual earnings for loan counselors in 2008 was $37,470. The top paying industries for the profession are financial investment services, residential building construction and automobile dealers.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Employers at banks and credit agencies typically look for candidates that have earned at least a bachelor's degree in business or economics and have a few years of finance experience. They should also have a strong foundation in banking practices and state and federal lending laws. Loan counselors may need to pass state certification exams or fulfill the requirements of a professional credit association.

Resources

• Mortgage Bankers Association

Major Employers

The top job providers are banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and college universities and professional schools.

Schools for Loan Counselors are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Loan Counselors by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Loan Counselors, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.