Are you not able to simply go inactive on your real estate license...are you sure you would have to start from scratch if you don't like lending?  And why go to a bank to be a loan officer rather than with a mortgage company?  Is it because you do not have to have a mortgage license? 

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Sounds like you need to get out of sales.

Neither is lucrative if you hate everyday and aren't good at what you do.  Both are extremely lucrative if done right.

Just make sure if you make a change it's not simply "Grass is greener" syndrome - I've seen agents go to being an LO and burn out and fail, and vice versa, many times.

real estate agent career, if you have the right niche..... new construction subdivisions will be a 'SCORE" for any real estate agent.... new listings plus all of the resale business that comes with the package!!

It depends what makes you comfortable.

The one you are qualified for and passionate about.

Never choose a career based on income potential. If you love what you do and are good at it, you will succeed and the money will follow.

If you hate what you do now, why would you chose an unknown career on the basis of whether or not it is more lucrative? You say you come from a banking background but are a RE agent so that leads me to believe you did not like banking.

If you are currently very busy in RE, move into a different aspect...listing,  property management, etc. and not have the risk of changing industries only to regret it. Better the devil that you know than the one you don't.

When a person cranks it up, whatever he is doing, that's the pay-off place

You have 2 very similar questions posted, and you are looking for an opinion of which pays more, i.e., which is more lucrative?  I've only been a realtor, so I cannot comment on mortgage or loan positions, only on real estate.  And I work with both Buyers and Sellers, so I'm not always driving people around, meaning Buyers.  I do know that all of those career fields have you working with different types of people, putting in the hours, and you will be doing planning.  If you are good at what you do, professional, and make business relationships you will get that paycheck.  Best of Luck! 

That depends on what career one wish to pursue. In CA most loan agents do both....

I would think it would depend on which career you want to call yours.

Haven't done both sides.  If you don't like being a buyer's agent, try being a listing agent.  Lots less driving.

Great question and great answers. 

You got all great answers. 

You could always concentrate on Listings and let others deal with buyers.

no idea.

It all depends on one's skill set and strengths...

There are successful people in each field.

It just depends on what you are good at and what you enjoy.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

Talk with a mortgage broker in your area. See if that will give you more insight. 

I believe you will make more money as an agent but not if you are not enjoying what you do.

I would say you're going to have a hard time keeping track of anything if you can't even remember that you asked the same question just a little while before this one. 

Mortgage broker.