Credit Partner - Development Finance in London

At Metro Bank, we believe the best banking experience starts with people who genuinely care. We’re not just delivering banking services - we’re building trust through authentic connections. Here, our people come first; our colleagues are part of a team that values individuality, collaboration, and long-standing relationships. We are also all about balance so most of our jobs offer the opportunity for hybrid working built around your role and home life, wherever possible.

What you will do:

• As the Credit Partner for Development Finance, you will work closely with fellow Credit Partners, Credit Managers, and colleagues across Real Estate Finance, Private Banking, and Corporate & Commercial Banking. Your primary focus will be supporting commercial (including owner-occupied) and residential development finance projects.
• Provide expert credit assessment and underwriting of complex commercial, owner occupied and residential development finance propositions, supporting Relationship Teams to structure and deliver sustainable lending solutions.
• Partner closely with colleagues across Real Estate Finance, Private Banking, Corporate & Commercial Banking and Credit to deliver timely, high-quality credit decisions and an outstanding customer experience.
• Selectively accompany First Line of Defence colleagues in meetings/site visits to borrowing customers and sometimes liaise directly with legal and professional teams as required.
• Exercise Delegated Lending Authority to assess, challenge and approve lending proposals, presenting complex cases to senior approval authorities and committees as required.
• Lead and influence Early Engagement discussions and Deal Forums, providing specialist development finance expertise and shaping credit outcomes from the outset.
• Maintain strong portfolio and asset quality through robust credit risk management, annual reviews, monitoring activities and appropriate responses to emerging risks, ensuring compliance with lending policies, standards and procedures.
• Coach, support and develop colleagues across the first and second lines of defence, sharing expertise, influencing best practice and promoting prudent lending in line with the Metro Bank way.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of Credit Policies, Standards, Procedures and risk initiatives, helping the Bank support customers responsibly while achieving its growth ambitions.
• Independently manage development finance workflows effectively, provide regular portfolio reporting to key stakeholders and regulatory teams, and support wider Credit team priorities as required.

And... we are a bank so risk is a part of everything we do. We love people who take responsibility, do the right thing for customers, colleagues and Metro Bank and have the ability to call out any concerns.

What you will need:

• Extensive Corporate & Commercial credit underwriting experience, with specialist technical expertise in development finance and complex real estate lending.
• Proven ability to assess, structure and manage development finance transactions throughout the full lending lifecycle, including monitoring project delivery, risk management and associated legal documentation.
• Strong understanding of Corporate & Commercial lending, banking, finance and credit risk principles, with sound knowledge of development-related legal concepts and documentation.
• Deep knowledge of residential, commercial and mixed-use development projects across a range of sectors, asset classes and geographical locations.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to coach, develop and support colleagues across teams and levels of the organisation.
• Strong analytical thinking, independent problem-solving, negotiation and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and make balanced risk-based judgements.
• Up to date knowledge of Corporate & Commercial lending markets, economic trends, and relevant legal, regulatory and industry developments, applying these insights to support sound lending decisions.
• Proficient in relevant banking systems and technology, with the ability to manage workflows efficiently and understand the wider impact of business decisions across the Bank.
• Understand the risks associated with your job and what that means for you, Metro Bank and all our stakeholders.

Our promise to you…

• We will make sure that you are well-rewarded by providing you with a competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, and a wide range of benefits, including generous holiday allowance, attractive pension scheme, healthcare, life assurance, and a number of colleague discounts!
• We will give you the training to ensure you succeed in your role and plenty of internal opportunities to progress your career (around 40% of our recruitment comes from internal promotions!

Diverse teams really are the best teams. We know that candidates (especially women, research tells us) may be put off applying for a job unless they can tick every box. We also know that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t always doable, and while we can’t accommodate every flexible working request we are happy to be asked. So if you are excited about working with us and think you can do much of what we are looking for but aren’t sure if you are 100% there yet… why not give it a whirl? Good luck!