Loan Interviewers and Clerks

Career Description: Interview loan applicants to elicit information; investigate applicants' backgrounds and verify references; prepare loan request papers; and forward findings, reports, and documents to appraisal department. Review loan papers to ensure completeness, and complete transactions between loan establishment, borrowers, and sellers upon approval of loan.

Industry: Office and Administrative Support

Other Job Titles for Loan Interviewers and Clerks:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Verify and examine information and accuracy of loan application and closing documents.
• Interview loan applicants in order to obtain personal and financial data, and to assist in completing applications.
• Assemble and compile documents for loan closings, such as title abstracts, insurance forms, loan forms, and tax receipts.
• Answer questions and advise customers regarding loans and transactions.
• Contact customers by mail, telephone, or in person concerning acceptance or rejection of applications.
• Record applications for loan and credit, loan information, and disbursements of funds, using computers.
• Prepare and type loan applications, closing documents, legal documents, letters, forms, government notices, and checks, using computers.
• Present loan and repayment schedules to customers.
• Calculate, review, and correct errors on interest, principal, payment, and closing costs, using computers or calculators.
• Check value of customer collateral to be held as loan security.
• Contact credit bureaus, employers, and other sources in order to check applicants' credit and personal references.
• File and maintain loan records.
• Schedule and conduct closings of mortgage transactions.
• Accept payment on accounts.
• Submit loan applications with recommendation for underwriting approval.
• Order property insurance or mortgage insurance policies in order to ensure protection against loss on mortgaged property.
• Review customer accounts in order to determine whether payments are made on time and that other loan terms are being followed.
• Establish credit limits and grant extensions of credit on overdue accounts.
• Respond to correspondence from insurance companies regarding the licensure of agents, brokers, and adjusters.
• Prepare lists of overdue accounts, license suspensions, and issuances.
• Train other workers and coordinate their work as necessary.
• Repair books, using mending tape, paste, and brushes.
• Deliver and retrieve items to and from departments by hand or using push carts.
• Facilitate the acquisition of books, pamphlets, periodicals, and audiovisual materials by checking prices, figuring costs, and preparing appropriate order forms.
• Place books in mailing containers, affix address labels, and secure containers with straps for mailing to blind library patrons.
• Assist in the preparation of book displays.
• Keep informed of provisions of labor-management agreements and their effects on departmental operations.
• Coordinate or perform activities associated with shipping, receiving, distribution, and transportation.
• Plan layouts of stockrooms, warehouses, or other storage areas, considering turnover, size, weight, and related factors pertaining to items stored.

Emerging Tasks

• Verify the authenticity of documents, such as foreign ID and immigration documents.
• Design or maintain library web site and online catalogues.
• Lend, reserve, and collect books, periodicals, videotapes, and other materials at circulation desks and process materials for inter-library loans.
• Maintain library equipment, such as photocopiers, scanners, and computers, and instruct patrons in proper use of such equipment.
• Manage reserve materials by placing items on reserve for library patrons, checking items in and out of library, and removing out dated items.
• Open and close library during specified hours and secure library equipment, such as computers and A/V equipment.
• Perform accounting and bookkeeping activities such as, invoicing, maintaining financial records, budgeting, and handling cash.
• Perform clerical activities, such as answering phones, sorting mail, filing, typing, word processing, and photocopying and mailing out material.
• Prepare library statistics reports.
• Repair books using mending tape, paste, and brushes, or prepare books to be sent to a bindery for repair.
• Schedule, supervise, and train clerical workers, volunteers, student assistants, and other library employees.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients or customers
• collect deposit or payment
• compile data for financial reports
• complete information on loan forms
• compute financial data
• compute property equity
• compute taxes
• ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
• evaluate customer records
• examine documents for completeness, accuracy, or conformance to standards
• fill out business or government forms
• gather relevant financial data
• interview customers
• maintain account records
• maintain records, reports, or files
• obtain information from individuals
• prepare contract documents
• prepare reports
• provide customer service
• review loan applications
• schedule meetings or appointments
• understand property documents
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use interviewing procedures
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• verify bank or financial transactions
• verify information for credit investigations
• write business correspondence
• plan meetings or conferences
• prepare contract documents
• prepare corporate minute books
• prepare financial reports
• prepare tax reports
• process invoices
• reconcile or balance financial records
• route multi-line telephone calls
• schedule meetings or appointments
• schedule or contract meeting facilities
• take dictation
• take meeting notes
• take messages
• transcribe spoken or written information
• type document from machine transcription
• type letters or correspondence
• understand legal terminology
• use accounting terminology
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use shorthand writing procedures
• use telephone communication techniques
• verify investigative information
• write business correspondence
• write legal documents
• write administrative procedures services manual
• write employee orientation or training materials

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$15.23
• Average annual wage (2007) - $31,680.00

• Employment (2006): 256,023

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