The Role:
- This role is overseeing the bridging lending process following handover from the BD Team, assessing credit worthiness and the project viability through to draw down, deal completion.
- Recommendation to underwrite loans against agreed lending criteria.
- You will be required to be alert to the risks attributed to an application ensuring that both the loan is suitable and fit for purpose.
- Ensuring that the correct and completed documentation has been received.
- Prepare detailed underwriting documentation/credit paper for review by the Directors.
- You and your team will be responsible for all underwriting queries and resolution of issues, recommending appropriate mitigation of risks where possible.
- Support our existing and new client base, whilst liaising with internal departments (legal and finance) and external parties (Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, Solicitors) to effectively manage the lending process.
- Your role will require you to arrange quotes, and to formally instruct valuations, solicitors and site inspections and where necessary, visit a customer on site to assess any unusual cases or specific risks.
- Confirming inspections are booked, and reports are received within agreed time scales, ensuring that you highlight any concerns or issues as you underwrite.
- Maintain and record accurate information to ensure that our borrowers/client information is always up to date and correct including loans underwritten, assessment process and rationale.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with all stakeholders both internal and external ensuring that they are informed as to the loan progress.
- Prepare reports for internal meetings, and potentially external stakeholders.
- Review draft loan agreements for accuracy and provide our external solicitors with guidance around specific deal related risks which can be used by solicitors to form additional clauses where required.
- Manage a current team of three individuals who are responsible for the day to day loan management and underwriting.
The Requirements:
- At least 5 years of previous underwriting experience at management level within a bank or another property bridging lender.
- Strong understanding of the property lending market.
- Experience of working within the commercial and residential property markets.
- You will have excellent communication skills (Written and Verbal) along with the ability to confidently present to internal and external stakeholders.
- Whilst managing a small team you will be required to work pro-actively to achieve business objectives and be skilled at capturing and recording important information for underwriting purposes and tracking reports.
- Train and develop the loan management/underwriting team in the art of effective underwriting, assessing company accounts and looking for risks to mitigate within each deal.
- Have a strong understanding of the banking appetite within the challenger and high street banking markets so we can identify potential exit routes for clients.
- Able to organise, manage your time effectively, whilst prioritising your workload to meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment.
- Highly proficient in the use of Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Office
- Strong customer service skills.
- There will be a requirement to grow the team of underwriters. The candidate should be able to identify, assess and recruit in line with the Company's growth strategy.
- We are seeking someone with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
The Benefits:
28 days annual leave inc bank holidays
Annual company related bonus (Discretionary)
Car parking
40 hours per week
Opportunity for career progression and growth
Team socials
Modern offices