Underwriter - Commercial Mortgages

Allica; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Discretionary bonus

Pension contributions

Private health cover

Life assurance

Family friendly policies

Job summary

Allica Bank is seeking an experienced SME underwriter to assess and decide on borrowing requests in line with the bank's credit policy. You will manage the end-to-end process, coordinate with solicitors and valuers, and ensure loans are fully secured before draw-down, while maintaining strong relationships with brokers and customers.

The role requires robust credit analysis, understanding of SME markets, and the ability to escalate cases to Credit Committee when needed.

Qualifications

• Experience assessing SME lending and underwriting within policy frameworks.
• Strong ability to analyse financial accounts, budgets and cashflow.
• Experience presenting to Credit Committee and handling arrears.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Good knowledge of regulatory requirements including AML/KYC and conduct risk.

Responsibilities

• Underwrite loan applications in line with policy and regulatory rules.
• Produce clear written recommendations for cases outside personal discretion.
• Manage end-to-end application process through draw-down.
• Liaise with solicitors for security instructions and documentation.
• Monitor credit risk, contribute to policy development and MI.
• Maintain strong relationships with brokers, RM and applicants.

Skills

Underwriting experience

SME lending knowledge

Credit analysis

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Tools

Credit data systems

Job description

About Allica Bank

Allica is the UK’s fastest growing company - and the fastest-growing financial technology (Fintech) firm ever. Our purpose is to help established SMEs, one of the last major underserved opportunities in Fintech.

Established SMEs are the backbone of local communities - representing over a third of our economy - yet have been largely neglected both by traditional high street banks and modern fintech providers.

Department Description

Allica Bank has won multiple recent Commercial Mortgage awards with the CM products being the main driver of lending in the Allica suite, the Commercial Mortgage products have now been well established for over 2 years and continue to grow at pace as a market leader. As part of the risk function within Commercial Mortgages, this role is critical to ensure we can deliver on our objectives in a safe manner.

Role Description

The purpose of the role is to underwrite borrowing requests received via a variety of channels, including online in line with the Bank’s approved Credit Policy and in accordance with the Banks asset portfolio (including but not limited to commercial mortgages, commercial investment loans, commercial loans against leasehold properties) .

Principle Accountabilities

• Assess and underwrite direct credit loan applications within personal discretion, in line with the all regulatory requirements, the Bank’s credit appetite policy and underwriting policies utilising appropriate credit data and analytical tools.

• Produce clear, accurate and concise written documentation, making clear recommendations to the Credit team for loan application requests falling outside of personal discretion or outside of credit policy, escalating cases where necessary to the appropriate Delegated Lending Authorities.

• Manage and own the end to end application process, from initial enquiry to completion, liaising effectively with the panel solicitors in terms of required security instructions and ensure loans are appropriately documented and borrowing is fully secured before draw-down.

• Liaise with the Credit team as required in managing the credit risk environment, concentration risk and developing credit policy.

• Undertake regular checks and monitor agreed controls to ensure the Bank’s risk and customer requirements are met at all times; escalating immediately any areas of concern

• Manage a portfolio of advances to a defined arrears and collections policy.

• Liaise effectively with applicants (or their brokers) and valuers in requests for additional relevant information to support the credit decisioning process.

• Deliver an excellent service is given to customers, their brokers and Relationship Managers, building and maintaining strong relationships in line with the Bank’s values and defined customer experience standards.

• Ensure compliance with all mandatory policies and adherence to credit procedures to maintain internal credit controls.

• Fully understand and comply with operational procedures, requirements and SLA’s.

• Help develop appropriate MI and KPI indicators and reporting, maintaining suitable MI to enable a detailed understanding of Mortgage processing pipeline

• Actively search for areas of improvement for the Bank and your team and take ownership for delivery of these, setting a good example by displaying appropriate values and behaviour

Personal Attributes & Experience

• Exposure/knowledge of underwriting, with experience in the SME sector, with an understanding of the competitor landscape and the dynamics and trends of the SME market.

• Excellent credit/financial analysis skills including the analysis of financial accounts, budgets and cashflow forecasting, Understanding of the loan underwriting process and the risks involved and be able to assess applications within a personal discretion and make recommendations and take commercial decisions.

• Experience of escalating and presenting at Credit Committee level and Arrears Management.

• Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to build strong and lasting relationships with internal stakeholders such as the distribution team, operations team and senior management, plus 3rd party suppliers such as Intermediaries, Valuers and Solicitors.

• Understand and comply with all regulatory requirements, plus internal policies / procedures, guidelines, risks and controls and service levels.

• Good understanding of TCF, AML, KYC and Conduct risk.

Working at Allica Bank

At Allica Bank we want to ensure our employees have the right tools and environment in which to succeed in their role and in support of our customers.

Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, so our benefits are designed with you in mind:

• Full onboarding support and continued development opportunities

• Options for flexible working

• Regular social activities

• Pension contributions

• Discretionary bonus scheme

• Private health cover

• Life assurance

• Family friendly policies including enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave

Don’t tick every box?

Don’t worry if you don’t have all the skills or requirements listed on the job description. If you think you’ll be a good fit, we’d still love to hear from you!

Flexible working

We know the ‘9-to-5’ isn’t right for everyone. That’s why Allica Bank is fully committed to flexible and hybrid working. Please let us know what is best for you and, if we can, we will do our best to accommodate.

Diversity

We’re a diverse bunch here at Allica, with all kinds of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. Our openness and differences make us stronger, and we want everybody to feel comfortable bringing as much of themselves to work with them as they like.