Lending Associate in Milton Keynes

Hello, Recognise Bank is a modern business bank built to support the UK’s SMEs with tailored lending and savings solutions. Founded in 2017 by experienced business owners, we set out to challenge traditional banking by offering more flexibility, understanding, and practical support to help businesses thrive. Since receiving our banking licence in 2021, we’ve built a loyal customer base and a strong, diverse team that puts people first. Our vision is building stronger futures with bespoke financial solutions.

We understand that no two financial needs are the same, which is why we work closely with UK SMEs and individuals to unlock potential others often overlook. Through smart, flexible lending and savings products, we’re here to build and grow stronger futures for lasting success. Our values shape how we work and grow together:

• Can do, will do: We take ownership, solve problems, and adapt as our customers’ needs evolve.
• Be brilliant: We show up with curiosity and energy, always striving for better.
• Do the right thing: We act with integrity, responsibility, and care in everything we do.
• Make a difference: We focus on impact, helping our customers, colleagues, and communities succeed.

As a Lending Associate, you will be responsible for establishing, developing, and managing sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships with panel brokers within the Regulated Bridging sector. You will focus on delivering exceptional customer service while building strong broker partnerships to ensure the right relationships are in place to support ongoing lending targets. You will provide a first-class execution-only service, delivering a regulated bridging proposition underpinned by residential security, while operating within credit risk appetite and lending policy criteria to source and complete high-quality lending propositions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver lending volumes and product mix in line with personal targets to support the achievement of the wider business financial plan.
• Build brand awareness and profile across broker and professional communities through effective and targeted networking, while proactively managing brokers on Recognise’s panel, including annual reviews of allocated broker firms and attendance at national events, seminars, dinners, and awards.
• Review and analyse all new business enquiries and manage progressing lending proposals through to approval, ensuring applications are correctly packaged for timely sanction and completion, working collaboratively with the Deal Team (Operations Manager and Underwriter).
• Ensure all lending proposals, whether manual or system-generated, fall within credit risk appetite, lending policy, and criteria, and meet the Bank’s minimum return requirements.
• Maintain high data quality standards, ensuring information is regularly reviewed and updated to support business operations and regulatory reporting.
• Deliver outstanding customer service, demonstrated through positive feedback and broker/customer surveys.
• Collaborate with wider teams to support the development and evolution of the regulated bridge proposition towards a near-automated solution.
• Maintain open and transparent communication with internal stakeholders (including Loan Operations, Credit Underwriting, Chief Commercial Officer, Second Line Risk, and Internal Audit) and external stakeholders where required.
• Act as a lead or support on projects within the Business Development Team and across the wider business on commercial lending initiatives.
• Comply with all regulatory requirements, including Consumer Duty and SMCR, and complete all mandatory regulatory training in a timely manner.

Corporate Responsibilities:

• Read and adhere to all relevant company policies and procedures.
• Fulfil all risk-related responsibilities in line with the Risk Management Policy.
• Comply with all compliance and financial crime policies, procedures, and reporting obligations applicable to the role.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Minimum of 3+ years’ lending experience.
• CeMAP qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Experience working in a regulated environment with regulated financial products.
• Expert knowledge of the regulated bridging market is essential, with broader commercial real estate experience desirable but not essential.
• Proven track record of identifying new business opportunities through networking and utilising a strong professional network, including an existing network of FCA-regulated brokers within the regulated bridging market.
• Demonstrated business development and relationship management skills.
• Strong business case writing and credit analysis skills.

Why Join?

At Recognise Bank, we’re building more than a bank — we’re creating a culture where people feel empowered to make a difference, supported to be brilliant with a can do will do attitude, and trusted to do the right thing. We believe that when our people thrive, so do our customers. That’s why we invest in an environment that reflects our values and supports your growth, flexibility, and wellbeing.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Competitive Time Off – Generous annual leave plus bank holidays to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
• Work From Anywhere – Up to 4 weeks per year to work remotely from anywhere in the world.
• Learning & Development – Tailored training and support to grow your skills and achieve your professional goals.
• Hybrid Working – To support your work-life balance, we offer a hybrid working model with 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.
• Private Medical Care with Vitality – Comprehensive healthcare including optical and dental coverage to keep you healthy.
• Enhanced Pension Scheme – Helping you plan and save for a secure future.
• Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Pay – Supporting you and your family during important life moments.
• Discretionary Company Bonus – Rewarding your contribution to our shared success.

If you’re curious, driven, and ready to be part of something meaningful — where your ideas matter, your growth is supported, and your work makes a real impact — then we’d love to hear from you. Recognise Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.