Senior Credit Underwriter - Property Finance

Title: Senior Credit Underwriter - Property Finance

Salary - £60k to £70k

Location - Leicester (Hybrid)

Job Purpose

As part of the Underwriting team, assess the credit and risk profiles of customers within the Pensions, Professions, Real Estate, and Commercial Mortgages markets, determining the acceptability of proposals and providing recommendations or alternative solutions where appropriate, that satisfy customer needs and meet business objectives. Ensure that all recommendations for lending sanctions are compliant with the Bank’s policies and regulatory requirements, including Property Finance, Construction Finance, Development Finance, and Build Finance. Act as deputy for the Head of Credit, if required.

Responsibilities

• Undertake analysis and recommend sanction, determining the acceptability of proposals and providing recommendations or alternative solutions, including for Commercial Mortgages, Property Finance, Construction Finance, Development Finance, and Build Finance, that satisfy customer needs and meet business objectives.
• Conduct an independent assessment of each case and prepare the relevant documents for an informed decision to be made by the appropriate official/Credit Committee or within own Delegated Lending Authority.
• Ensure the main influencing factors and sanctioning analysis, including factors specific to Property Finance and Development Finance, are accurately recorded when reaching proposal recommendations/decisions.
• Facilitate business development efforts through a proactive approach to credit proposals, particularly in areas such as Construction Finance and Build Finance, to ensure maximisation of opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Bank’s policies, procedures, and guidelines, together with all appropriate regulatory and statutory requirements, implementing actions to protect the Bank’s business at all times.
• Ensure that facilities, including those related to Commercial Mortgages and Property Finance, have had the correct legal documents issued, that they are executed correctly, and that all legal formalities, including, where appropriate, the giving of independent legal advice, have been effectively completed.
• Undertake line management as agreed with the Director of Credit, including supervising the day-to-day activities of assigned team members so that their individual and collective performance meets the required standards, contributing to their development and providing ongoing support as required.
• Communicate relevant information to team members, senior management, and other interested parties, ensuring essential features of the situation are understood, enabling informed decisions to be taken where appropriate.
• Proactively review credit processes, including those for Construction Finance and Development Finance, and recommend changes that will deliver operational efficiencies.
• Demonstrably support a culture that contributes to the achievement of financial objectives of the business while maintaining portfolio asset quality.
• Develop credit risk and industry/market expertise, including Commercial Mortgages and Build Finance, through both internal and external contacts with market participants, including due diligence.
• Adhere to the Bank’s brand and culture values, ensuring that all accountabilities are undertaken in accordance with the Bank’s policies and procedures, with good client outcomes forming the basis of decisions made.

Excellence Indicators

• Cases reviewed by the team, including those involving Property Finance and Development Finance, are accurately completed in a timely manner and suitable recommendations/solutions are produced.
• Accurate records of the main influencing factors and sanctioning analysis, including those specific to Construction Finance and Build Finance, are maintained in all cases.

Core Competencies

• An honest, clear, and respectful communicator.
• Innovative and open-minded to change.
• Self-motivated, accountable, and results-oriented.
• A team player who actively seeks opportunities to collaborate across multiple disciplines.
• Able to quickly build relationships with customers or stakeholders.
• Clear ability to plan and prioritise to ensure targets are achieved or exceeded.
• Non-judgemental and considerate of the impact of your behaviour and decisions on others.

Job-Specific Competencies

• Significant previous experience as a Credit Underwriter.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of the relevant rules under the financial services acts.
• A wide knowledge of the commercial environment and sector specialism, including pensions, real estate lending, Commercial Mortgages, and the SME market.
• An understanding of financial management and wider management principles and techniques.
• A good level of financial and commercial awareness, particularly in Property Finance, Construction Finance, and Development Finance.
• A good understanding of Conduct Risk and Treating Customers Fairly requirements relevant to credit operations.
• The ability to interpret and implement relevant guidance, ensuring compliance and due regard is paid to the interests of customers and customers are treated fairly.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills and organisational skills.