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What does a Mortgage Clerk do?

B. Miller
B. Miller

A mortgage clerk works for a bank or other lending institution, and works with all aspects of mortgage loans, from original paperwork and disbursement to accepting monthly payments, as well as many other duties. While a mortgage clerk is not considered to be an entry-level job, it is still a fairly low-level job, and a minimum of experience is required. Generally, formal education beyond high school or a two-year degree in a related field is not a requirement either.

Policies may differ in various banks regarding lending and employment practices, as well as job duties performed; however, many responsibilities of a clerk are similar in some institutions. A loan officer will typically make a decision regarding the approval or denial of a mortgage, and will then pass the paperwork on to a mortgage clerk, who may then enter the information into a computer system. The mortgage clerk may be responsible for generating documents informing customers and insurance companies of the mortgage information and payment plans.

Mortgage clerks are responsible for reviewing loan applications.
Mortgage clerks are responsible for reviewing loan applications.

The clerk may also be responsible for checking all mortgage documents, including deeds, to be sure they are in compliance with any escrow requirements, lending policies, or laws. The clerk may also need to write letters to other institutions, companies, the government, or homeowners as needed to communicate information. He or she will typically also need to be able to answer customers' questions regarding their mortgages, when they call the bank.

A mortgage clerk may be responsible for checking all mortgage documents, including deeds, to be sure they are in compliance with any escrow requirements.
A mortgage clerk may be responsible for checking all mortgage documents, including deeds, to be sure they are in compliance with any escrow requirements.

Processing loan payments is also a large part of a mortgage clerk's job. When a payment is received, the mortgage clerk must correctly allocate the funds to interest and principal, as well as any additional insurance or tax payments that must be made as part of an escrow agreement. The clerk may also be responsible for checking weekly or monthly reports generated by the bank to ensure correctness in various loans.

A mortgage clerk works with all aspects of mortgage loans, from original paperwork and disbursement to accepting monthly payments.
A mortgage clerk works with all aspects of mortgage loans, from original paperwork and disbursement to accepting monthly payments.

These are just a few of the duties of a mortgage clerk. One who succeeds in this job may be able to be promoted to the position of loan officer, which generally comes with an increase in pay and responsibility. Mortgage clerks may work full or part time at a bank, and will often work fairly normal hours, and have weekends off, along with benefits such as health insurance or vacation time. For those who are responsible and have a great attention to deal, a career as a mortgage clerk can be very rewarding.

Discussion Comments

sunshined

I am glad there are possible advancements and other job opportunities available in a mortgage office besides being a clerk.

For the last two years I have worked as a recording clerk. Because interest rates have been so low, this has been a very busy time for our office.

I like the hours and it is nice to know that I don't have to work nights or weekends.

I have worked here long enough to know that I like this type of work, and want to advance in my job.

I don't have any kind of college training. I don't know if I need to get a college degree, or if my years of experience will be enough to qualify me for a different position.

I have found this to be an interesting line of work, and figure that people will always be interested in buying their own home.

LisaLou

When my daughter was in college, she began working part time at a major bank as a mortgage clerk.

She gained a lot of experience working with the mortgage records. This helped give her a very good understanding of what having a mortgage is all about.

Once she graduated from college, she was offered a permanent full time position within the mortgage office.

The experience she gained as a mortgage clerk really helped her become successful at her job. She has steadily worked her way up and is currently employed at the same bank today as a mortgage loan officer.

The years she worked as a mortgage clerk really help her understand the whole process and has only helped her be a better loan officer.

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    • Mortgage clerks are responsible for reviewing loan applications.
      By: turhanyalcin
      Mortgage clerks are responsible for reviewing loan applications.
    • A mortgage clerk may be responsible for checking all mortgage documents, including deeds, to be sure they are in compliance with any escrow requirements.
      By: JohnKwan
      A mortgage clerk may be responsible for checking all mortgage documents, including deeds, to be sure they are in compliance with any escrow requirements.
    • A mortgage clerk works with all aspects of mortgage loans, from original paperwork and disbursement to accepting monthly payments.
      By: puhhha
      A mortgage clerk works with all aspects of mortgage loans, from original paperwork and disbursement to accepting monthly payments.