Commercial Lending Underwriter / SME Lending / Term Loans / Working Capital / Permanent / Hybrid - 2 Days in Birmingham
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