Loan officer
Also known as: loan processor, loans adviser, commercial lender, loans agent, loans controller, credit officer
About this occupation
Loan officers assess and authorise the approval of loan applications for individuals and businesses. They ensure complete transactions between loan organisations, borrowers, and sellers. Loan officers are specialists in consumer, mortgage, or commercial lending.
Essential skills and knowledge
- banking activities
- examine credit ratings
- decide on loan applications
- interview bank loanees
- obtain financial information
- monitor loan portfolio
- interpret financial statements
- actuarial science
- analyse loans
- inform on interest rates
- consult credit score
- analyse financial risk
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Loan Officers (O*NET 13-2072.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and to answer questions about the process.
- Analyze applicants' financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loans.
- Approve loans within specified limits, and refer loan applications outside those limits to management for approval.
- Explain to customers the different types of loans and credit options that are available, as well as the terms of those services.
- Submit applications to credit analysts for verification and recommendation.
- Review loan agreements to ensure that they are complete and accurate according to policy.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Writing
US median pay: US$76,690 a year (2025), 274,330 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (3.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.3)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks
- Credit Counselors
- Credit Analysts
- Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
- Financial Managers
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- New Accounts Clerks
- Bill and Account Collectors
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.