| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Education Field of Study | Economics, accounting, finance, interpersonal communication |
| Licensure | Applicable state commercial lender license |
| Key Responsibilities | Analyze financial statements, communicate with clients |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 1% (for all loan officers)* |
| Average Salary (2020) | $76,930 (for all loan officers)* |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Is a Commercial Lender?
Commercial lending occurs when a bank or other financial institution loans money to a company for equipment, expansion or other business improvements. A commercial lender or loan officer helps companies obtain the necessary revenues to begin or expand their business.
As a commercial loan officer, you might identify companies that want or need to expand and encourage them to complete the loan process with your financial institution. You might also help guide the company through the loan process by assisting with the application, explaining terms and options, processing the paperwork, verifying the information obtained and facilitating payment disbursements.
What Type of Education and Training Do I Need?
Commercial lenders are required to analyze the financial statements of the companies they are assisting, so you need to have a bachelor's degree in economics, finance or a similar field. You need to understand cash flow analysis, accounting and financial statements in particular.
Every state's requirements for commercial lenders are different, but if you desire to deal with commercial mortgage lending, you need to obtain a mortgage lending license. According to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (www.nationwidelicensingsystem.org), you need to complete several hours of course work, pass credit and background checks and achieve minimum scores on an exam.
What Skills and Abilities Will Help?
Commercial lenders should enjoy meeting new people, working with them and communicating regularly. Being comfortable with adjusting multiple figures and analyzing data could also be beneficial. Finally, being confident and highly motivated can be helpful in this field.
What Is the Job Outlook?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), between 2020 and 2030, employment prospects for loan officers as a whole are expected to increase about 1% (www.bls.gov). As of May 2020, the BLS reported that loan officers in general averaged $76,930 per year.
Those interested in becoming a commercial lender might also wish to research some related alternative careers that require a similar education level and duties. For example, financial analysts help businesses and individuals make decisions about investments, such as stocks or bonds. They generally require a bachelor's degree in the field to gain employment.
Insurance underwriters also need to have a bachelor's degree. They work for insurance companies to evaluate applications and determine the terms of insurance coverage. Financial services sales agents link individuals wishing to invest in securities with companies looking for investors. They also generally need to have a bachelor's degree to gain entry-level work.
