At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess complex credit applications and support junior team members in a dynamic environment.
- Company: A growing SME and Real Estate Finance lender with a personalised approach to business lending.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive team culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative atmosphere with opportunities to innovate and streamline processes.
- Why this job: Join a fun, ambitious team and make impactful lending decisions.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of SME business credit underwriting experience and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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 employer: Chamberlain Career Management
Join a leading specialist bank in London, where you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises personal and professional growth. As the Head of Portfolio Management, you will benefit from competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to shape the future of real estate finance while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and innovation.
Contact Details:
Chamberlain Career Management Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Credit Underwriter - SME Finance
✨Tap into Campus Networks
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Chamberlain Career Management. 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 Senior Credit Underwriter - SME Finance
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 Chamberlain Career Management.
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 Chamberlain Career Management'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 Chamberlain Career Management
✨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 Chamberlain Career Management.
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✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Chamberlain Career Management 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.
