At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead lending strategies and build relationships with SMEs to drive business growth.
- Company: LHV Bank, a dynamic UK-licensed bank with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, health plans, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and team socials.
- Why this job: Join a growing bank and make a real impact in the SME lending market.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development within banking and strong communication skills.
LHV Bank Limited is a UK-licensed bank operating across three core business segments: Retail Banking, SME Lending, and Banking Services (BaaS). The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of LHV Group, a listed financial services provider headquartered in Estonia. LHV Bank operates under a full UK banking licence granted in May 2023.
The Bank supports over 200 fintech clients with embedded financial infrastructure, provides retail savings products via digital channels, and offers SME credit solutions across the UK. In line with its regulatory responsibilities and growth ambitions, LHV Bank is committed to maintaining a robust and proportionate financial crime control environment.
Expanding our services, LHV Bank now provides personal banking solutions. Our offerings include current accounts with competitive interest rates, fixed-rate bonds for long-term savings, and debit cards. Customers can conveniently access these services through the LHV App, enabling secure account opening and management.
We are looking for a Lending Directorto join us at this exciting time in our growth to support the needs of trading businesses lending requests.
The Lending Director role purpose is as follows:
- Develop the Bank’s reputation as an active, creative lender and relationship banker in the SME market.
- Identify and establish sustainable relationships with new creditworthy clients, through key business introducers such as the Broker network.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Build and nurture LHV SME’s presence in the community with local business networks, leading to the acquisition of borrowers through established Brokers, Accountants and business contacts.
- Help to develop and implement the team acquisition & relationship strategy (incl. which relationships and networks to target, in what order, and assist with driving the lending volumes across a suite of products designed for SME customers.
- Be a “Hunter and Farmer”, with an appetite to build long-lasting relationships from the start.
- Manage the pipeline and diary being organised and a self-starter.
- Assess and recommend lending applications as first line of defence, write detailed Credit reports (inc detailed financial analysis) on complex cases to develop appropriate solutions and establish a strong working relationship with the Credit team.
- Motivated by success in numbers, and driven to achieve individual and team targets.
Experience & Knowledge:
- Proven business development/sales experience within a Business / Commercial Bank environment.
- Experience working with Brokers and other Intermediaries with access to SMEs.
- Banking qualification ACIB or equivalent.
- In-depth knowledge of Trading Business lending.
- Advanced Microsoft skills – PowerPoint / Excel & Word.
Skills & Behavior:
Be able to Demonstrate:
- Strong communication (incl presentation skills) between key stakeholders, internally and externally.
- A commercial awareness, in relation to the external competitive market but also the requirements. and flexibility required of working within an SME organisation.
- Taking responsibility and ownership of work delivery.
- Strong customer centricity and appreciation of changes in customer behaviour.
- Acting as an advocate and setting the cultural tone for the wider organisation.
- Multi-tasking and prioritisation in a changing environment.
- High standards of personal performance in daily execution of tasks.
- Identifying opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction and continuous improvement.
Some of our benefits (only applicable to UK based roles not Internship programmes)
- Competitive salary &lots of opportunities to learn, grow and progress professionally.
- Open and inclusive culture.
- Hybrid working.
- Fantastic offices and great working environment.
- Vitality Health Plan (includes private health insurance, travel insurance, gym discounts)
- Health cash Plan (Medicash health plan Level 3)
- 6% employer pension contribution.
- Life assurance – 4 x salary.
- Income protection insurance – 75%
- 28 days holiday plus 3 additional days, & further days for various key life events as well as the opportunity to sell up to 5 days per calendar year.
- Swap public/bank holidays each year for alternative days that align with your personal, cultural, or religious observances.
- Enhanced family friendly and family forming policies.
- Access to a wide range of retail discounts.
- Team Socials.
Lending Director in London employer: LHV Bank
LHV Bank Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation within the UK Finance team. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to data-driven decision-making, and the chance to work in a highly regulated environment that fosters growth and stability. With a focus on modern tools and strong IFRS knowledge, LHV Bank empowers its staff to enhance their skills while contributing to meaningful financial operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lending Director in London
✨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.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
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 LHV 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 Lending Director in London
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 LHV 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 LHV 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 LHV 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 LHV 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 LHV 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 LHV 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.
