Collections & Recoveries Manager in Milton Keynes

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company - and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech. Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities - representing over a third of our economy - yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

Allica Bank exists to empower small and medium sized businesses to succeed. Through our unique combination of modern tools, local relationships and tailored expertise we deliver expert banking for business Britain. You will be joining Allica Bank as we continue building a business dedicated to serving the needs of small and medium-sized companies at what is a crucial time for the sector. This role sits within the Lending department, initially cross functional across Commercial Mortgages (CM), Asset Finance (AF), and Growth Finance.

Role Description

To support the Head of Collections & Recoveries in managing the Bank’s Commercial Mortgage, Asset Finance and Growth Finance portfolios where customers are in, or at risk of, financial difficulty. The role focuses on implementing effective collections, restructuring and recovery strategies to support customers in bringing their lending facilities up to date, while protecting the Bank’s exposure. Where customers cease trading or arrears become unmanageable, the role will involve coordinating recovery activity with third parties including solicitors, Insolvency Practitioners and debt collection agencies, including the enforcement and realisation of security where appropriate. All activity must be conducted in line with internal policy, regulatory requirements and the principles of Treating Customers Fairly.

Core Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of accounts showing signs of deteriorating credit quality and accounts in workout/recovery by implementing a repayment or recovery strategy on both a portfolio and individual customer basis.
• In some cases, completing site visit to customers suffering difficulties/arrears, complete a review and assessment of the current position and consider an appropriate work out plan.
• Where necessary, terminating finance agreements on AF exposures and working with the Asset Manager to recover and sell assets to maximise sale proceeds.
• Keep Watchlist up to date and assist the team and Head of Collections & Recoveries with monthly report to Credit Risk meeting.
• Liaising with insolvency practitioners and collection agents, as well as instructing Solicitors where required.
• Ensure that the portfolio delinquency ageing is categorised accurately to support IFRS 9 reporting.
• Anticipate and react to regulatory or legislative changes that could affect lending; develop contingency plans and strategic responses to change.
• Ensuring that fees, and recovery income and expense is in line with budget.
• Continually evaluate market conditions and recognise and react to emerging risks in the portfolio.
• Change management supporter; to improve processes and procedures in a rapid manner through developing improvements with the business line mission squad.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a Collections department in CM or AF (or both), relating to SMEs.
• Evidence of successfully managing a portfolio of distressed assets to maximise customer collections.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of CM and AF lending products and the options open to a lender to enforce its security in the event of customer default.
• Knowledge of the legal and contractual rights of both the Bank and the customer and the bank’s options to enforce its security in the event of a customer default.
• Knowledge of the current regulatory environment including treating customers fairly and dealing with vulnerable customers.
• Working understanding of PD, LGD and EAD; IFRS 9 and impairment process.

Working at Allica Bank

At Allica Bank we want to ensure our employees have the right tools and environment in which to succeed in their role and in support of our customers. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, so our benefits are designed with you in mind:

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities
• Options for flexible working
• Regular social activities
• Pension contributions
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Private health cover
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave

Don’t tick every box? Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills or requirements listed on the job description. If you think you’ll be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

Flexible working

We know the ‘9-to-5’ isn’t right for everyone. That’s why Allica Bank is fully committed to flexible and hybrid working. Please let us know what is best for you and, if we can, we will do our best to accommodate.

Diversity

We’re a diverse bunch here at Allica, with all kinds of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our openness and differences make us stronger, and we want everybody to feel comfortable bringing as much of themselves to work with them as they like.