When it comes to jobs in securities, commodities and lending, what's hot and what's not? Here's what the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts for your sector.

Securities and Commodities

Fasten your seatbelts, because it's going to be a wild ride in securities in coming years ahead; employment is projected to rise by a whopping 40 percent.

What's fueling that growth? Increasing securities and commodities investments in the global marketplace. There is a catch to this BLS forecast -- interest rates must remain low and the stock market must perform adequately so people continue to seek higher return rates in their investments. In addition to the many new job openings stemming from this growth, a large number of openings will arise from retirement and job turnover.

Several trends bode well for the industry through the next seven years. For instance, Baby Boomers are in the middle of their peak savings years and the government is helping by creating a number of tax-favorable retirement plans. Retirees will need the help of financial planners, especially as the number of self-managed retirement plans increase and investments become more complex.

Although online trading will grow and reduce the need for direct contact with an actual broker, the need for securities sales representatives will also grow, because people will still need advice from professionals.

Loan Officers

Being a loan officer in the years ahead is a double-edged sword. While low interest rates will keep demand for loans high, technology is making loan officers more productive.

The BLS expects employment of loan officers and counselors to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2008. "Job growth will be driven by an increasing population, expanding economy and low interest rates, which will lead to more applications for commercial, consumer and mortgage loans," according to the agency. "Growth in the variety and complexity of loans, coupled with the importance of loan officers to the success of banks and other lending institutions, should also assure employment growth."

On the flip side, refinance volume will decline, as virtually everyone seems to have refinanced into a comparatively low rate during the past few years. Computers, underwriting software and communication technologies are making loan officers more productive; they can now spend more time in the field with prospective clients, while still keeping in touch with the office. Also, qualifying for loans is easier with computers performing much of the analysis.

Of course, loan officers live and die by interest rates. As rates fall, they're swamped with refinance work. When rates rise, the pipeline dries up and they're laid off in droves. "Even in economic downturns, however, loans remain the major source of revenue for banks so the fundamental role of loan officers will contribute to job stability," according to the BLS. "Moreover, because loan officers are often paid by commission, the bank may retain them simply by paying less compensation. As in the past, college graduates and those with banking, lending or sales experience should have the best job prospects."

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