By Colleen Watson

Loan underwriters are deal makers. They are brokers of possibilities. They are dream makers. Loan underwriters help us to open a business, buy a home, purchase transportation, and get an education.

When we think of loans, oftentimes we think of borrowing money from a bank. When we think of a loan underwriter, often we may picture a geek in thick glasses, analyzing columns of numbers - that image is inaccurate. Loan underwriters have careers with a great deal of excitement and potential.

For many individuals, taking out a loan may be the only way to afford a house, car or college education. Likewise for businesses, a loan is essential for start-up, purchasing inventory or investing in capital equipment.

Loan underwriters are the people who investigate our financials and have the skills of a private detective. Loan underwriters or officers gather information about clients and businesses to ensure that an informed decision is made regarding the type of loan and the probability of repayment. They analyze the borrower's creditworthiness by asking the right questions to determine if it is a "do-able" deal. Loan officers, like detectives, are often on the go. Many have a home office and are often on the road, visiting clients. Many rely on laptop computers, cellular phones and pagers to keep in contact with their offices and clients. Commercial loan officers sometimes travel to other cities to prepare complex loan agreements.

Loan underwriters or officers held about 265,000 jobs in the 2000 census, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately half were employed by commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions. Nonbank financial institutions, such as mortgage brokerage firms and personal firms, employed others.

Loan underwriter positions generally require a bachelor's degree in finance, economics or a related field. Most employers prefer applicants with training or experience in sales.

Loan originators often have taken classes in creative financing, marketing techniques and advanced sales. Loan underwriters also understand the legal nuances of all the paperwork we need to complete for a loan application.

Robert Kiyosaki is the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!. In his book, he tells of his secrets to money management, business and investing. He makes a strong point about learning how to read financial statements. Making informed decisions comes only from the ability to understand numbers. Loan originators must know how to read and understand financial statements. Kiyosaki also says business investors must be good detectives and look for clues that will make or break a deal. And finally, he says, the successful business investor must be able to convince others that his other offer is worth accepting.

The knowledge and training you receive as a loan underwriter are closely related to skills that you need to become a business tycoon. So, if you are looking for a career in finance, you might want to consider becoming a loan underwriter.