Assistant Underwriter

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
This role is within the Commercial Mortgage Underwriting team part of the wider Risk team. The Underwriting team is expanding rapidly as demand for Allica banks award winning commercial mortgage products increase due to our total focus on the SME market segment.

This new role is critical in helping the Underwriters turn cases round quickly to maintain our market leading turnaround times. It is expected that colleagues joining at this level will see significant development and promotion opportunities as the bank continues to grow.

Role Description
To support the Underwriters in assessing borrowing requests by providing research, analysis of data, and drafting reports and suitable solutions for requests. You will be supporting with assessment of new requests, queries on approved loans and review of live facilities as required.

Candidates should ideally have some experience in Financial Services gained from a Bank, Building Society or other financial institution. Other relevant experience may be considered.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the Underwriting team with management and organisation of workflow.
• Assess and review initial enquiries from information provided from Brokers and Relationship Managers in line with all regulatory requirements, the Bank's credit appetite policy and underwriting policies.
• Produce clear, accurate and concise written documentation, making clear recommendations for loan application requests falling outside of personal discretion or outside of credit policy, escalating cases where necessary to the appropriate Delegated Lending Authorities.
• Undertake regular checks, Customer due diligence, and monitor agreed controls to ensure the Bank's risk and customer requirements are met at all times, escalating immediately any areas of concern.
• Liaise effectively with Brokers (or their applicants), or Relationship Managers and valuers in requests for additional relevant information to support the credit decisioning process.
• Deliver an excellent service to customers, 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
• Establish and actively manage a personal development plan.

Personal Attributes & Experience

• Some understanding of the loan documentation and credit risk is preferred.
• 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.
• Expected to work to business needs, this may include covering late nights and weekends on a rota basis (if required).
• Good Microsoft Office and other technical system skills

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.