Underwriter - Structured Finance

My client is an established Challenger Bank with a dedicated real estate team.

Role Purpose:

To underwrite mortgages across asset classes such as Buy-to-let (including HMOs and short-term lets), Semi-Commercial properties, and Short-Term Loans. The role is crucial in maintaining the quality of lending decisions and balancing risk and reward without compromising the bank's interests.

Key Responsibilities:

Pragmatic Underwriting:

• Assess mortgage applications within your delegated authority.
• Analyse key documents such as credit searches, property portfolios, bank statements, financial accounts, and security valuations to inform lending decisions.

Risk Management:

• Maintain low arrears and losses while being a flexible and balanced lender.
• Formulate and present a rationale for lending decisions that fall outside your mandate, collaborating with key stakeholders in the group risk function.
• Ensure appropriate customer due diligence (CDD) is conducted, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) risks are mitigated during the underwriting process.

Accuracy & Compliance:

• Ensure high levels of accuracy in all data and documentation.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of company policies, procedures, and compliance guidelines, incorporating them into daily practices to mitigate associated risks.

Customer Interaction & Case Management:

• Handle internal and external inquiries (email and phone) efficiently and in line with company standards.
• Manage a pipeline of cases and ensure that they are processed within defined service levels, from submission to formal offer.
• Build strong relationships with brokers and communicate lending decisions and requirements effectively.

Team Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with different functions across the division to facilitate smooth operational workflows and decision-making processes.

Risk Management Responsibilities:

• Deliver good customer outcomes and ensure customer-centric behaviours.
• Proactively advocate for fair outcomes for all customers.
• Understand and adhere to the Bank’s Risk Management Framework, policies, and procedures.
• Identify and escalate risks in a timely and appropriate manner.

Skills and Competencies:

• Commercial Acumen: Ability to weigh risk and reward while making lending decisions.
• Analytical Skills: Proficient in reviewing and analysing financial data, property valuations, and customer information.
• Attention to Detail: Maintain a high level of accuracy in documentation and decision-making processes.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with brokers and internal teams.
• Customer Focus: Ensure customer outcomes are fair while maintaining risk control.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a team and with other departments.

What you will Bring:

• Strong Risk Awareness with the ability to make balanced and informed decisions.
• Customer-Centric Focus, committed to delivering outstanding customer service.
• Flexible and Results-Oriented, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of objectives.
• Relationship Management, building and maintaining strong connections with stakeholders.
• Collaborative Approach, fostering teamwork and effective communication across departments.
• Excellent Communication Skills, both written and verbal, to convey decisions and requirements clearly.
• Adaptable, able to quickly adjust to new products, markets, and changing environments.
• Team Player, working seamlessly with colleagues to achieve shared goals.

This role is ideal for an individual who is commercially minded, risk-conscious, and able to operate independently within a structured risk framework while ensuring excellent service delivery.

Salary: up to £80k (depending on experience)