At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape credit decisions and influence lending policy in a dynamic banking environment.
- Company: Join Castle Trust Bank, an innovative challenger bank with a customer-first approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Embrace a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make impactful credit decisions while driving excellence in property lending.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in credit risk assessment required.
Description
“Shape Credit Decisions. Influence Policy. Drive Excellence”
At Castle Trust Bank, we're committed to doing things differently. As an innovative challenger bank, we combine specialist lending expertise with a customer-first approach to deliver outstanding outcomes for our customers, brokers and partners.
The role and what you’ll be doing:
We're looking for an experienced Property Credit Manager to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of complex credit decisions, influence lending policy, and play a key role in maintaining strong governance and risk management across our property lending portfolio.
With delegated authority of up to £5million, you'll be trusted to make sound lending decisions while acting as a key bridge between our Front Line and Risk functions.
This role is based in our Basingstoke office on a hybrid basis working 4 days in the office and 1 day from home.
Credit Underwriting & Decision Making
- Assess and approve property lending proposals within a delegated mandate of up to £5 million.
- Ensure lending decisions align with risk appetite, lending policy and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver robust, balanced credit assessments across a range of specialist property lending products.
Escalations & Referrals
- Act as the primary referral point for cases outside delegated authority.
- Present recommendations and rationale to senior stakeholders and relevant approval committees.
- Support timely, commercially balanced decision making on complex cases.
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships across Origination, Operations and Risk functions.
- Act as a trusted adviser on policy interpretation and credit risk matters.
- Influence decision making through expert technical knowledge and sound judgement.
Policy Ownership & Governance
- Own the ongoing review and development of lending policy.
- Ensure policies remain aligned to regulatory requirements, market conditions and risk strategy.
- Communicate policy updates and support consistent application across the business.
- Contribute to governance forums, audits and risk reviews.
Underwriting Audit & Quality Assurance
- Conduct regular reviews of underwriting decisions to ensure consistency and policy adherence.
- Identify trends, development opportunities and areas for process improvement.
- Provide coaching, feedback and recommendations to continuously improve underwriting quality.
- Support the maintenance of underwriting mandates, audit programmes and risk registers.
What you’ll bring:
We are looking for someone with strong analytical and credit decision-making skills, excellent attention to detail, and the confidence to challenge constructively while building strong stakeholder relationships. You'll be highly organised, risk-aware and proactive, with experience using data and MI to support decisions, a commitment to strong governance standards, and a track record of driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
In addition, you will have:
Essential
- Strong technical underwriting experience across Buy-to-Let, Bridging and Specialist Residential lending.
- Proven credit risk assessment and lending decision-making capability within delegated mandates.
- Experience operating within lending policies, governance frameworks and regulatory environments.
- Previous underwriting experience with responsibility for coaching, mentoring or quality assurance activities.
- Demonstrable first-line risk ownership, including managing risks, controls, incidents and remediation actions.
- Experience managing service levels, pipelines and priorities within a fast-paced lending environment.
- Understanding of FCA, PRA, AML and wider regulatory requirements.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Why join Castle Trust Bank?
- Competitive salary
- Performance bonus (based on individual and company performance)
- Generous contributory pension through Hargreaves Lansdown
- Life Assurance
- 25 days’ holiday + option to buy/sell 5 days
- Additional paid volunteering day
- Private healthcare through Equipsme (includes cash back for Dental and Optical treatment)
- Free access to BHSF Rise EAP to support colleague health and wellbeing
- Gym discounts
- Season ticket travel loans (if applicable)
- A supportive, inclusive culture where your work has real impact
Caught your attention? If so, we’d love to talk to you and tell you more about what it’s like to work at Castle Trust Bank - The Place To Work!
Castle Trust Bank is an equal opportunity employer where we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues to thrive. We welcome applications from all and will not discriminate against any status/characteristic protected by law and will always base our decisions on merit.
We are proud to support people with disabilities and are committed to be a Disability Confident employer. If you are a person with a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be offered an interview. Should you require any reasonable adjustment to support you in your application for one of our opportunities, please contact talent@castletrust.co.uk
Property Credit Manager in Basingstoke employer: Castle Trust Bank
At Castle Trust Bank, we pride ourselves on being an innovative challenger bank that values a customer-first approach and fosters a supportive, inclusive culture. As a Property Credit Manager in our Basingstoke office, you'll enjoy competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and generous benefits, all while having the opportunity to influence lending policy and make impactful credit decisions. Join us to be part of a team where your expertise is valued, and your professional growth is supported in a dynamic and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Property Credit Manager in Basingstoke
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Castle Trust Bank. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Property Credit Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Castle Trust Bank.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Castle Trust Bank's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Castle Trust Bank
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Castle Trust Bank.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Castle Trust Bank will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Castle Trust Bank employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
