A great loan officer resume is like a great loan application: It ticks all the boxes and makes a compelling case. When you begin applying for your next loan officer job, you need exactly that to get that coveted interview.
Get on your way to your desired new banking position with Resume.io. Our extensive resources include resume guides and resume examples for 300+ professions, plus an easy-to-use resume builder. With our assistance, you can create an application that will pay off.
This resume guide and the resume example it contains will cover the following topics:
- What does a loan officer do?
- How to write a loan officer resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a loan officer resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a loan officer do?
Loan officers are responsible for making decisions about lending money to applicants. That entails interviewing applicants, evaluating application paperwork, and recommending whether or not to extend a loan offer. They are part salespeople, part finance expert.
Commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage companies and other financial institutions all employ loan officers. Some loan officers assist potential real estate buyers in the application process to ensure that they qualify and receive a mortgage. They also decide the amount of money that applicants may borrow.
Loan officers also advise borrowers on financial matters such as loan processing procedures and repayment plans. They are responsible for obtaining and evaluating credit histories and other important financial information pertinent to the loan evaluation process and ensure that all loan agreements are in accordance with the financial institution’s policy.
Loan officer job market and outlook
The job market for loan officers depends upon the market in which they work. Commercial and industrial (C&I) and business loan applications are on the upswing, Reuters reported, although the need for loan officers is expected to remain flat with a 1% growth rate, well below the average for all professions.
The housing market is hot as well, but a lack of inventory and rising interest rates will flatten growth, Freddie Mac predicts. That trend adds to the flat market for loan officers.
The average base salary for a loan officer is $48,960, with a range of less than $34,000 to more than $75,000, Payscale reports, but most employers offer commissions and bonuses that increase income.
How to write a loan officer resume
Before a client starts an application, they need to know what documents are necessary. Likewise, before you begin writing your loan officer resume, you need to know what sections it includes. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
One more important tip on writing your resume: Remember that your loan officer resume is not a single document, but one you should adjust to speak directly to each different employer.
Choosing the best resume format for a loan officer
Application documentation follows a strict format and your loan officer resume should as well. Unless your career falls outside a typical path, we recommend the reverse chronological resume format. Recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) favor this style, in which you list your jobs from most recent on back.
Avoid using the functional resume format since it is usually reserved for highly technical or scientific skills. Depending on your work history, you may also consider one of the alternative or hybrid options we offer.
Pass the ATS test
ATS applications are used by most HR departments to scan and sort resumes. If you apply online, you are using an ATS to do so. The ATS takes the data from your loan officer resume and puts it into the HR system. It then uses algorithms to rank resumes based partly on keywords and phrases linked to the specific job.
To maximize your chances of getting seen by a person, incorporate keywords and phrases from the job listing into your resume.
Resume summary example: lend an air of confidence
The summary of your loan officer resume should confidently present your value as an employee. You have about four lines, to describe your customer service style and career standing. The main idea of this section is to sell your prospective employer on what you can do for them.
A great example to include in your summary, or profile, is the data pointing to your increase in good loans or, conversely, how you reduced unpaid loans. Although recruiters are more likely to look at your most recent position first, if they are sold on your experience, they will scan up to the top to read your profile.
Our summary resume sample below is a good guide, but if you want more ideas for this section – the only one using complete sentences – see our related banking and finance resume examples. We offer a general banker resume sample and a loan process resume example. If you are looking for career advancement ideas, try our financial analyst resume sample or our financial advisor resume sample.
Experienced and attentive Loan Officer with several years of experience providing excellent customer service to clients seeking loans. Adept at thoroughly analyzing the financial status of clients and helping them to apply for and obtain the best loans for their lifestyle. Bringing forth a track record of increasing client satisfaction ratings, while working in accordance with all company policies. Ambitious and driven to reach new levels of success.
Employment history sample: bank on your experience
It’s time to get to the meat of your loan officer resume. The employment history section details not what you have done, but how successful you have been in each role. Your prospective employer needs help and it’s your job to show how you fit the bill.
How did you save your employers money? Were you able to bring in more clients? What is your pull-through rate? Answer these questions in the bullet items for each job title.
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Loan Officer, Weichert Companies, Richmond
September 2015 - September 2019
- Formed positive and trustworthy relationships with clients as we explored financial options that best suited their needs.
- Evaluated the loan and credit needs of clients, taking into consideration all aspects of their financial background in relation to policies and regulations.
- Worked collaboratively with loan team regarding the conditions of loans and rates.
Loan Officer, Clear Water Bank, Alexandria
August 2013 - August 2015
- Assessed loan requests and evaluated the needs of clients seeking loans.
- Respected the confidentiality and privacy of a client's finances and handled loan rejections with professionalism and helpfulness.
- Carefully reviewed all loan agreements to ensure their compliance with policies.
- Worked collaboratively with loan team to ensure the accurate assessment of loan conditions.
- Remained informed and up to date on finance knowledge by attending conferences and reading related publications.
- Worked to provide optimal customer service on a daily basis.
Receptionist, Clear Water Bank, Richmond
July 2011 - July 2013
- Greeted patrons and clients with a friendly and helpful attitude.
- Organized calendars and files, and developed a system of documentation for the files of clients.
CV skills example: appraise your attributes
Honing the skills section of your loan officer CV requires an examination of your attributes plus analysis of the specific skills your targeted employer seeks. Not all jobs are the same, so be careful that you choose the 4-7 top skills you have that match the role.
Loan officers need hard skills such as knowledge of financial software and analysis and soft skills such as sales ability and attention to detail. Start out by creating a master list of all your hard and soft skills. Then, choose those most relevant to each position.
- Analytical Thinker
- Financial Software
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Customer Service
Loan officer resume education example
In general, loan officers are required to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field such as finance or economics. Your education section comprises a listing of your academic achievements.
In addition to all your degrees and certifications, you may also include any industry honors or distinctions, but eliminate your high school diploma if you have earned higher than a bachelor's degree.
Bachelor of Finance, George Mason University, Fairfax
August 2007 - May 2011
High School Diploma, Roosevelt High School, Yonkers
September 2002 - May 2006
Resume layout and design: value the first impression
As a salesperson, you know that first impressions can make or break your business. The layout and design of your loan officer resume create that first impression during your job search. Since financial industries are mostly conservative, your best bet here is to keep your document neat and legible. To present a professional image, follow these guidelines:
- Use easy-to-read fonts such as Georgia, Helvetica or Arial
- Choose a serif type for headings and a sans serif for body type, or vice versa
- Leave margins of at least half an inch
- Keep you body type at 11 points
- Avoid more than a splash of color
Choose from among our expertly-tested resume templates to get you started. Your time is too valuable to get bogged down in formatting when you could be applying for your next, great job.
Key takeaways for a loan officer resume
- Loan officers combine the customer-service orientation of salespeople with the business savvy of finance experts.
- Although the loan industry is picking up, the demand for loan officers will remain flat.
- Your summary can make all the difference in whether you get the interview.
- Check out our adaptable loan processor resume sample for more ideas on getting started.
