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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess complex credit applications and support junior team members in a dynamic environment.
- Company: A successful SME and Real Estate Finance lender with a personalised approach to business lending.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a small, ambitious team and make a real impact on lending decisions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of SME business credit underwriting experience and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to innovate and enhance underwriting processes.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
London based – hybrid working
The Company
An established, successful, dynamic SME and Real Estate Finance lender who have recently embarked on a substantial UK wide growth and expansion programme. By combining technology with some good common sense, they take a personalised approach to business lending. Their lending decisions are often bespoke and it’s this personal touch that makes them different. A small, ambitious team with diverse backgrounds working in a non-corporate, social environment. They support each other, learn from each other, and have a lot of fun along the way.
The Role
As a senior credit underwriter, you will be an integral part of the credit underwriting team and contribute to the credit philosophy of the business. You will be joining a growing team with an entrepreneurial, commercial mindset and make-work attitude. You will focus on unsecured and secured SME business loans (with possible exposure if appropriate to Real Estate and Asset Finance transactions). Successful applicants will be granted a sign-off mandate and be expected to contribute towards streamlining the end-to-end processing of credit decisioning and development of junior team members.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess complex credit applications to determine serviceability, affordability, and alignment with the company’s lending policies and risk appetite.
- Conduct in-depth reviews of borrower financials, credit history, security, and repayment capacity across a range of lending scenarios.
- Identify and mitigate credit risks through sound judgement, data analysis, and consistent application of underwriting standards.
- Perform second-level reviews of credit decisions made by junior or peer underwriters as part of the formal four-eye process.
- Provide constructive feedback and challenge where necessary to uphold credit quality and ensure consistency across the team.
- Support the development and coaching of junior team members through review discussions and knowledge sharing.
- Investigate and analyse the root causes of non-performing loans or arrears cases.
- Prepare clear, data-backed reports offering insights and recommendations for policy or procedural adjustments.
- Collaborate with Risk and Collections teams to track early warning signs and portfolio trends.
- Play a key role in monthly Credit Committee meetings, presenting cases, defending decisions, and contributing to broader credit strategy discussions.
- Articulate underwriting decisions and portfolio insights to senior leadership.
- Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including Sales, Risk, and Legal, to support commercially sound and risk-aligned lending.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the underwriting process through automation, data tools, or revised workflows.
- Contribute to testing, implementing, and embedding new credit systems or technology solutions.
- Help build scalable, consistent underwriting frameworks that support both volume growth and credit discipline.
- Provide support to ensure the credit team meets service level agreements (SLAs) and turnaround expectations for deal reviews.
- Prioritise workload to balance commercial responsiveness with thorough credit analysis.
- Step in to support urgent cases or workflow bottlenecks where senior-level input is required.
About You
- 5+ years SME business credit underwriting experience with a lending mandate in a UK bank or lender.
- Self-motivated, able to work under pressure and driven to succeed.
- Strong communication skills both written and oral.
- Ability to analyse and dissect information and present results in a logical and understandable format for all stakeholders across the business.
- Growth mindset and ability to adapt to changing business requirements in a fast-paced business environment.
Senior Credit Underwriter - SME Finance in City of London employer: Chamberlain Career Management
Contact Detail:
Chamberlain Career Management Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Credit Underwriter - SME Finance in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Credit Underwriter role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Prepare to discuss your experience with complex credit applications and how you've mitigated risks in the past. Use real examples to demonstrate your expertise and make sure to highlight your growth mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values. Check out our website for openings at dynamic lenders who value a personalised approach to business lending. Tailor your application to show why you’d be a great fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Reiterate your interest in the role and mention something specific from the interview to keep you fresh in their minds. It shows you're keen and professional!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Credit Underwriter - SME Finance in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Credit Underwriter role. Highlight your relevant experience in SME business credit underwriting and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our dynamic team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits with our personalised approach to lending. Don’t forget to mention your growth mindset and ability to adapt – we love that!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves assessing complex credit applications, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully identified and mitigated credit risks in the past. We’re all about data-driven decisions here at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chamberlain Career Management
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Credit Underwriter, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to assess complex credit applications. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you evaluate serviceability and affordability. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully identified risks and made sound lending decisions.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is crucial in this role. Be prepared to articulate your underwriting decisions clearly and logically. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to present insights to various stakeholders, including senior leadership. Think of scenarios where you've had to provide constructive feedback or collaborate with other teams.
✨Emphasise Your Growth Mindset
This company values a growth mindset, so highlight your adaptability and willingness to learn. Share examples of how you've embraced change in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. Discuss any initiatives you've taken to enhance processes or mentor junior team members, showcasing your commitment to continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your judgement and analytical skills. Prepare for questions like how you would handle a non-performing loan or what steps you'd take to streamline the underwriting process. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities effectively.
