Underwriter - London

The Underwriter is a strategic professional who stays abreast of developments within their field and contributes to directional strategy by considering their application in their job and the business. Recognized technical authority for an area within the business, requiring basic commercial awareness. Developed communication and diplomacy skills are required to guide, influence, and convince others, particularly colleagues in other areas and occasional external customers. The role has a significant impact on the area through complex deliverables.

Responsibilities:

• Interface with and support bankers in underwriting requests for commercial credit extensions for new and existing clients, ensuring sound credit decisions and compliance with internal procedures/credit risk policy guidelines and standards.
• Prepare a detailed written credit summary of commercial applicants requesting credit by analysing the business, interpreting the finance need, identifying strengths and prevailing risk factors, and rendering a final credit decision.
• Perform detailed financial analysis on companies, including trend and ratio analysis, and interpret the financial information.
• Conduct credit and personal financial statement analysis on individuals, guarantors, and co-borrowers to assess repayment capacity based on cash flow statements, tax returns, and statements.
• Perform industry and geographical research and other due diligence as needed.
• Maintain a solid understanding of Citibank products and services within Small Business/Commercial Banking and the broader organization.
• Ensure compliance with Citibank credit policies/practices and regulatory policies to achieve satisfactory ratings from internal and external auditors.
• Assist business unit goals by identifying process improvements and efficiencies that reduce costs and improve customer service levels.
• Work with the management team on prioritisation and implementation of approved actions.
• Provide backup support to the Credit Underwriting Group Manager, lead projects and initiatives, and mentor lower-level Credit Officers as needed.
• Other duties as required to support business unit and company goals.
• Assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating consideration for the firm’s reputation and safeguarding Citigroup, its clients, and assets.

Qualifications:

• Previous credit authority experience.
• Prior experience working in a regulatory and compliance policy environment.
• Proven analytical skills, including the ability to read and assess individual and company financial statements, cash flow, industry/competitive analysis, and projections.
• Demonstrated knowledge of intermediate accounting theory and its practical application in the credit underwriting process.
• Excellent organisational skills, prioritising capabilities, attention to detail, and the ability to complete assignments within required deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective inter-personal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Thorough problem recognition and resolution skills.
• Pro-active disposition with the ability to work autonomously and within a team.
• Proficient in various spreadsheet and word processing applications (Excel and Word), including the use of graphs and charts and financial analysis software.

This job description provides a high-level review of the types of work performed. Other job-related duties may be assigned as required.