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What is a Mortgage Processor?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A mortgage processor is a financial professional who is responsible for processing mortgage applications. He or she gathers and verifies the materials associated with a mortgage application to create a package which can be sent to an underwriter for evaluation to determine whether or not the applicant is a good candidate for a mortgage. Mortgage processors can work for banks, mortgage brokers, and other financial institutions which offer mortgages and lending services. Their rates of compensation vary, depending on their level of skill and where they work.

Some mortgage processors learn their skills on the job from a supervisor with experience in handling mortgage applications. It is also possible to attend training courses at trade or technical schools, or to take in-house classes offered by some financial institutions for new hires. In all cases, the training familiarizes mortgage processors with the procedures involved in getting a mortgage, and with issues like client confidentiality, how to handle financial information, and how to deal with clients, as mortgage processors may need to contact clients directly for various needs.

Mortgage processors work with borrowers.
Mortgage processors work with borrowers.

When a mortgage application is opened, it usually goes to a mortgage processor. The mortgage processor reviews the application, runs a credit check on the applicant, and generates a list of supporting documents and verifications needed, ranging from forms signed by employers to confirm claimed income levels to verification of child support payments. Verifications will be required for many of the entries on the applicant's credit history, especially if there are ongoing disputes on the credit history, and the mortgage processor also sends out forms required by the lender, including rate disclosures, discussions of how borrower information is used, and consent forms to do background checks.

Mortgage processors collect information from applicants so an underwriting decision can be made.
Mortgage processors collect information from applicants so an underwriting decision can be made.

Mortgage processors may work directly with borrowers, calling them or writing them to let them know about necessary paperwork, or they may forward information requests to a loan officer who interfaces directly with the client. After several weeks or months, the mortgage processor should have a complete package of information which can be reviewed by an underwriter to determine mortgage eligibility.

This type of work usually requires computer skills, because a mortgage processor typically works with digital files and tracks client digitally for convenience. It generally takes place in the office, rather than out in the field, and it is common for mortgage processors to have set working hours, and to be expected to adhere to company dress codes, even if they never see customers in person. A keen eye for detail, good organizing skills, and interpersonal skills are critical for a mortgage processor.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

JaneAir

Mortgage processor jobs sound like they would be great for someone who doesn't have a college degree. From this article, it sounds like a lot of companies and banks offer on the job training for mortgage processors, and don't require a college education.

This sounds more like a job where if you have interpersonal skills and an eye for detail, you can learn how to process mortgages and be successful. However, this sounds like it wouldn't be a very good fit for someone who doesn't like to do a lot of paper work!

SZapper

@Monika - Interesting. I imagine the pay and job requirements vary based on where the loan processor works. Sounds like your ex worked for a mortgage broker, but as the article said, loan processors can work for banks and various other lending institutions too.

I actually have a friend who worked as a mortgage processor for a bank, and part of her job was actually interacting with customers. She would call them if she needed any more information to process their loan, and to verify certain information gathered by the loan officer.

Monika

One of my ex-boyfriends worked as a mortgage loan officer when we were together. I met quite a few people from his office, including his boss and some of the mortgage loan processors.

From what my ex told me, at the company he worked for, mortgage loan processors made much less than loan officers. The loan officers were responsible for speaking to the client directly and basically "selling" them on getting their home refinanced or whatever they were doing. Loan officers got paid on commission, while processors were paid salary. And the salary was much less than what the loan officers made!

I'm not sure if it works this way in every office though.

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    • Mortgage processors work with borrowers.
      By: contrastwerkstatt
      Mortgage processors work with borrowers.
    • Mortgage processors collect information from applicants so an underwriting decision can be made.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Mortgage processors collect information from applicants so an underwriting decision can be made.