Portfolio Analyst

Portfolio Analyst

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
DF Capital

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Analyse and optimise SME & Consumer lending portfolios while providing insights for credit strategy.
  • Company: DF Capital, a specialist bank focused on innovative financial solutions.
  • Benefits: Private medical insurance, generous pension contributions, 30 days leave, and free gym membership.
  • Other info: Vibrant office in Manchester with excellent career growth and community support initiatives.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team making impactful decisions in the finance sector.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in commercial lending with strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We’re DF Capital – a specialist bank providing award-winning commercial finance, retail finance, and savings products to consumers and small businesses. Based in Manchester, we serve thousands of customers across the UK and into Europe, supporting their ambitions with tailored financial solutions. We help our customers realise their ambitions by doing things differently – combining the agility and innovation of a specialist lender with the security and service standards of a regulated bank.

In 2025, we launched DF Capital Retail Finance – a subsidiary of DF Capital Bank Limited – to offer specialist hire purchase solutions to retail customers. Our goal is simple: to do the absolute best for our customers, our communities, and each other.

YOUR NEW ROLE:

Our Credit & Portfolio team sits at the heart of the business, overseeing all aspects of the customer journey from onboarding to recovery. You’ll join the DF Capital Lending Decisioning, Credit & Portfolio team with responsibility for the monitoring, analysis and optimisation of the SME & Consumer lending portfolio. The role focuses on assessing portfolio performance, identifying emerging risks and providing insights to support credit strategy, risk management and commercial decision making. You will be detail driven, diligent, meticulous, and considered in your approach, spotting, and escalating issues early to drive the best possible outcomes for the Bank and our customers. A good level of proficiency in using Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe and other presentational materials is required.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Portfolio Monitoring & Reporting
  • Analyse the performance of the SME loan portfolio (arrears, defaults, recoveries, yields)
  • Produce regular MI packs for senior stakeholders
  • Track key credit metrics such as PD, LGD, and EAD
  • Monitor sector, geographic, and concentration risks
  • Risk Analysis
    • Identify early warning signs of portfolio deterioration
    • Conduct trend analysis across industries and borrower types
    • Support stress testing and scenario analysis
    • Assist in IFRS 9 provisioning and ECL modelling
  • Data & Insights
    • Extract and analyse large datasets (Excel, SQL, Python)
    • Develop dashboards (using Power BI, Tableau)
    • Provide actionable insights to stakeholders
  • Strategy & Decision Support
    • Support development of credit policies and risk appetite
    • Evaluate new lending strategies and product changes
    • Assist in pricing and profitability analysis
  • Regulatory & Governance
    • Ensure internal Credit reporting aligns with regulatory expectations
    • Support audits and maintain data quality

    Requirements

    The following skills and experience are required for this role:

    • 3+ years in commercial lending (or similar roles) to small & medium sized businesses with experience in one or more of the following areas: inventory financing, dealer stocking, leasing, asset finance, trade finance or ABL, including invoice finance.
    • Ability to deliver against deadlines, articulate outputs from own analysis, recommendations and basis of decisions clearly and to a varied audience including SLT.
    • Writing comprehensive reports including the basis for your recommendations.
    • You will have excellent attention to detail, with the ability to conduct detailed statistical analysis, interpreting and articulating meaningful information from trends and statistics.
    • Ability to work well on your own and as part of a team, building effective working relationships with colleagues across all areas of the business, and influencing others to take appropriate actions to address issues found.

    Essential

    • Experience in banking or financial services (SME preferred)
    • Strong Excel skills
    • Understanding of PD, LGD, ECL, IFRS 9
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

    Desirable

    • SQL, Python or R experience
    • Knowledge of UK regulatory environment preferred
    • Experience in portfolio modelling or stress testing

    Qualifications

    • Degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics or similar
    • Professional qualifications (CFA, FRM, ACA, ACCA) desirable

    Benefits

    • Private medical insurance for you and your family
    • 10% Employer pension contribution
    • 30-day annual leave entitlement plus Bank/Public Holidays
    • Free Gym Membership
    • Discretionary annual bonus
    • Discretionary share awards
    • Life Assurance
    • Income Protection
    • Save As You Earn company share acquisition scheme.
    • Tax efficient salary sacrifice scheme to obtain bicycles and electric vehicles.
    • 3 days paid Volunteering leave to support our local communities.
    • Vibrant office location in the lively city centre of Manchester.

    Portfolio Analyst employer: DF Capital

    At DF Capital, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Manchester that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive benefits such as private medical insurance, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional development, all while supporting our communities with paid volunteering leave. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the financial services sector.
    DF Capital

    Contact Detail:

    DF Capital Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Portfolio Analyst

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching DF Capital and understanding their values and products. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their mission of supporting customers' ambitions. We want to see your passion for the role!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your analytical skills and experience in commercial lending clearly and confidently.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at DF Capital.

    We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Analyst

    Portfolio Monitoring
    Data Analysis
    Risk Analysis
    Statistical Analysis
    Microsoft Excel
    SQL
    Python
    Power BI
    Tableau
    Credit Strategy Development
    Regulatory Compliance
    Attention to Detail
    Communication Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Relationship Building

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Portfolio Analyst role. Highlight your experience in commercial lending and any relevant skills, like your proficiency in Excel or data analysis. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

    Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about monitoring and analysing portfolios, be sure to include examples of your analytical work. Whether it’s reports you've written or insights you've provided, we love seeing how you’ve used data to drive decisions.

    Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, showing us your attention to detail.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there!

    How to prepare for a job interview at DF Capital

    ✨Know Your Numbers

    As a Portfolio Analyst, you'll be dealing with metrics like PD, LGD, and EAD. Brush up on these concepts and be ready to discuss how you've used them in your previous roles. This shows you understand the core of the job and can hit the ground running.

    ✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

    Prepare examples of how you've conducted detailed statistical analysis in the past. Be ready to explain your thought process and how your insights led to actionable outcomes. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

    ✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools

    Since the role requires proficiency in Excel, SQL, and possibly Python, make sure you're comfortable discussing your experience with these tools. If you've created dashboards or reports, bring those examples to the table to highlight your technical skills.

    ✨Understand the Company Culture

    DF Capital prides itself on doing things differently and focusing on customer needs. Research their values and think about how your personal approach aligns with their mission. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit for their team.

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    >