Underwriter Real Estate Finance

My client is a specialist short-term property finance lender providing Bridging & Development loans across the UK.

Overview:

This role is ideal for an experienced underwriter looking to take ownership of more complex lending decisions whilst supporting and mentoring junior members of the team.

You will be responsible for assessing and structuring lending opportunities, preparing and presenting credit papers and managing transactions through to completion. Alongside this, you will provide day-to-day guidance to a Junior Underwriter and support the continuous improvement of underwriting standards, processes, and consistency.

The role requires a hands-on approach combined with strong commercial judgment to ensure deals are structured appropriately and aligned with the company’s credit risk appetite.

Responsibilities:

• Independently assess new lending enquiries for bridging and development loans in line with company criteria.
• Review borrower background information, financial position, and exit strategy in detail.
• Analyse supporting documentation, including bank statements, asset & liability statements, and credit searches.
• Review property information, including valuation reports, comparable evidence, and monitoring surveyor reports.
• Identify key risks and strengths within each proposal and ensure appropriate mitigation is in place.
• Prepare and present Credit Papers to Credit Committee, including clear rationale and recommendation.
• Approve deals within delegated lending authority where applicable.
• Ensure all underwriting is completed in a competent, consistent, and compliant manner.
• Ensure all lending decisions are aligned with the company’s credit risk appetite and policy framework.
• Examine the commercial viability of each application alongside risk considerations.
• Oversee the progression of applications from enquiry through to completion and first drawdown.
• Liaise with solicitors, valuers, and monitoring surveyors to obtain required reports and updates.
• Oversee development loan drawdowns, including reviewing monitoring surveyor reports and approving tranche releases.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of underwriting rationale and case notes.
• Support the monitoring of the existing loan book, including tracking progress of works, sales, and refinances.
• Identify and escalate loans showing signs of potential default and assist with appropriate action plans.
• Maintain CRM records and ensure accurate pipeline reporting for management information.
• Build strong working relationships with brokers, borrowers, and professional partners.
• Support the development and refinement of underwriting processes to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Assist with initiatives to enhance scalability, including process improvements and automation.
• Line manage and mentor a Junior Underwriter, including workload oversight, coaching, and development.
• Act as a key point of escalation for more complex or higher-risk cases.