Lending Manager New Manchester

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 currently seeking an experienced Lending Manager to join our Relationship Management Team in Manchester. The role will be to support the end‑to‑end lending processes through the customer journey, from onboarding through to loan completion. Please note this is a Manchester based role that will require you to be in our Manchester office 2‑3 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop & promote LHV’s reputation as an active, creative lender in the SME market.
• Support the delivery of the strategic objectives including delivery of income, strong customer advocacy and risk metrics.
• Retain clients, dealing with day to day enquiries and maintaining a strong commercial approach to the portfolio.
• Drive lending pipeline in a timely and effective way, working collaboratively with the wider pod team.
• Maintain solid and strong primary relationship with LHV’s solicitors and work collaboratively to deliver for our customers.
• Support prospective customers with the LHV onboarding process, capturing all the Know Your Business (KYB) and Know Your Customer (KYC) information.
• Support writing detailed Credit reports (including detailed financial analysis) on complex cases to develop appropriate solutions and establish a strong working relationship with the Credit team.
• Monitor account portfolios, managing the overall credit risks and any irregular performance in line with the Credit policy.
• Attract, develop and maintain strong customer relationships driving continuous improvement with a view to build long‑lasting relationships.
• Manage the pipeline and diary, ensuring the smoothest of customer journeys communicating effectively throughout.
• Ensure regulatory and risk adherence at all times, ensuring positive customer outcomes are at the forefront of how you operate.

Required Skills

• Proven relationship management/support experience within a Business/Commercial Bank environment.
• Banking qualification ACIB or equivalent (desirable).
• Experience working with Brokers and other Intermediaries with access to SMEs.
• Knowledge of EITHER Trading Business lending or Real Estate lending.
• Extensive credit report writing skills and experience.
• A commercial awareness, in relation to the external competitive market but also the requirements and flexibility required of working within an SME organisation.
• Advanced Microsoft skills – PowerPoint / Excel & Word.

Benefits

• Competitive salary & lots of opportunities to learn, grow and progress professionally.
• Open and inclusive culture.
• Fantastic offices and great working environment.
• Vitality Health Plan (includes private health insurance, travel insurance, gym discounts).
• 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.