Credit / Loan Counselor
Quick Facts
Median Salary$46,245
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth-17.47%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Credit or Loan Counselor advises and educates individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt or qualifying for traditional loans. Guidance may include determining the best type of loan and explaining loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management or credit issue plans. Can provide budget, mortgage or bankruptcy counseling.
Core Tasks:
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Recommend strategies for clients to meet their financial goals, such as borrowing money through loans or loan programs, declaring bankruptcy, making budget adjustments, or enrolling in debt management plans.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- Prioritize client debt repayment to avoid dire consequences, such as bankruptcy or foreclosure or to reduce overall costs, such as by paying high-interest or short-term loans first.
- Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.
- Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
- Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
- Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
- Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
- Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or payment plans.
- Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention.
- Create action plans to assist clients in obtaining permanent housing via rent or mortgage programs.
- Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
- Review changes to financial, family, or employment situations to determine whether changes to existing debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets are needed.
- Recommend educational materials or resources to clients on matters, such as financial planning, budgeting, or credit.
- Refer clients to social service or community resources for needs beyond those of credit or debt counseling.
- Explain loan information to clients, such as available loan types, eligibility requirements, or loan restrictions.
- Teach courses or seminars on topics, such as budgeting, management of personal finances, or financial literacy.
- Conduct research to help clients avoid repossessions or foreclosures or remove levies or wage garnishments.
What to expect as a Credit / Loan Counselor
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
60% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Credit / Loan Counselor related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
1662 openings for Credit / Loan Counselors
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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