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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to assess and underwrite commercial loans for UK SMEs.
- Company: Be part of a fast-growing financial institution focused on tailored funding solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working with 2 days in Birmingham and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting businesses while developing your underwriting skills.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in commercial lending and a customer-focused mindset are essential.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and professional growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client, a fast-growing and entrepreneurial financial institution, is seeking a highly capable Commercial Lending Underwriter to join their collaborative credit team. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of tailored funding solutions to UK SMEs, working across a broad spectrum of commercial lending products. You will work closely with Relationship Managers, Credit Risk, and Operations to assess and underwrite structured loans, ensuring sound credit decisions and excellent customer outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Assess and underwrite new commercial lending proposals, including SME term loans, working capital facilities, and asset-backed finance.
- Prepare detailed credit papers with supporting analysis, approving or recommending deals in line with mandate and policy.
- Review financial accounts, forecasts, and business plans to determine borrower affordability and suitability.
- Liaise with Relationship Managers and introducers to clarify deal structure, documentation, and security requirements.
- Reassess and monitor existing credit exposures, ensuring ongoing compliance with internal risk appetite and regulatory obligations.
- Act as a credit liaison between internal stakeholders and third-party brokers, maintaining clear, timely communication and rationale.
- Contribute to the development of underwriting processes and standards, promoting efficiency and continuous improvement.
- Uphold the Bank’s values and commitment to responsible, transparent lending.
Experience
- Strong underwriting experience in commercial lending, ideally within a bank, challenger, or alternative lender.
- Proven ability to assess SME credit risk, including trading businesses and property-backed borrowers.
- Solid understanding of financial statements, lending covenants, and security structures.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements relevant to commercial finance (e.g. BCOBS, SME Lending Code).
- Experience with end-to-end deal assessment and working in a mandate-led environment.
Qualifications & Personal Characteristics
- A customer-focused mindset, committed to delivering thoughtful, fair, and effective lending decisions.
- Excellent analytical judgement and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to work collaboratively across teams.
- Self-motivated and proactive, with a continuous improvement approach.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-autonomy environment with hybrid flexibility.
Commercial Underwriter employer: Vivo Talent Solutions
Contact Detail:
Vivo Talent Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Underwriter
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the commercial lending sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet people who work as underwriters or in related roles. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to job referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in commercial lending. Understanding the current landscape, including the SME Lending Code and BCOBS, will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common underwriting scenarios. Be ready to discuss how you would assess credit risk for different types of borrowers, particularly SMEs. This will showcase your analytical skills and understanding of the underwriting process.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your collaborative skills when speaking with potential employers. Since the role involves working closely with Relationship Managers and other teams, emphasising your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Underwriter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial lending and underwriting. Emphasise your understanding of SME credit risk and any specific achievements that demonstrate your analytical skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting UK SMEs and your commitment to responsible lending. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as financial analysis, communication, and teamwork. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles.
Showcase Continuous Improvement: Demonstrate your proactive approach to continuous improvement by mentioning any initiatives you've led or contributed to in past positions. This aligns well with the company's values and expectations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vivo Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Underwriter, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of financial statements and lending covenants. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be prepared to discuss how you assess borrower affordability and suitability.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Highlight your analytical judgement during the interview. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully assessed credit risk in the past, particularly with SMEs. This will show that you can make sound credit decisions.
✨Understand Regulatory Requirements
Familiarise yourself with relevant regulatory requirements such as BCOBS and the SME Lending Code. Being able to discuss these regulations will demonstrate your preparedness and commitment to responsible lending practices.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves liaising with Relationship Managers and other stakeholders, emphasise your strong interpersonal skills. Share examples of how you've worked collaboratively in previous roles to achieve successful outcomes.
