Senior Underwriter

Northreach; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the finance sector seeks a Senior Underwriter to oversee credit decisions in the German SME lending market. This pivotal role entails evaluating loan applications, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with German regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, fluency in German, and experience in commercial lending, contributing to the company's expansion in the DACH region.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial underwriting for SME lending in Germany.
• Fluency in German and English.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate SME loan applications and ensure compliance with credit policies.
• Conduct risk assessments and make complex credit decisions.
• Mentor junior underwriters and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Job description

This range is provided by Northreach. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Northreach

Senior Underwriter - SME Lending (German Market)

We are seeking an experienced Senior Underwriter to lead credit decisioning for SME lending within the German market. This pivotal role involves evaluating commercial loan applications, developing risk frameworks, and supporting our expansion in the DACH region. You will be instrumental in shaping underwriting strategies and ensuring credit quality while enabling scalable, data-driven lending decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and underwrite SME loan applications from the German market, ensuring compliance with internal credit policies and regulations
• Conduct risk assessments including creditworthiness, cash flow, and collateral evaluation
• Make complex credit decisions and provide recommendations to senior leadership and credit committees
• Adapt and localize underwriting models to meet German regulatory and market conditions
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and legal teams to facilitate customer-centric decisions
• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust credit criteria proactively
• Mentor junior underwriters and promote best practices across the team
• Stay informed on economic, industry, and regulatory developments affecting SME lending in Germany

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience in commercial underwriting, specifically in SME lending for Germany
• Deep understanding of German credit regulations (e.g., BaFin, KWG, Basel guidelines)
• Knowledge of various commercial loan products including term loans, credit lines, invoice finance, and alternative lending
• Experience working in fintech, challenger banks, or non-bank lenders
• Strong analytical skills with both manual and automated underwriting expertise
• Fluent in German (native or professional proficiency) and English
• Ability to work independently and make sound credit decisions under pressure
• Experience with credit scoring models and automation tools
• Knowledge of portfolio risk management and analytics
• Understanding of KYC/AML processes in Germany
• Experience scaling underwriting operations across European markets

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Finance

This job posting is active. Apply now to join Northreach as a Senior Underwriter focused on the German SME lending market.