Lending Specialist

Job Description

To support the Real Estate Underwriting function across buy-to-let and commercial investment mortgage lending by delivering a high-quality case management service. The role plays a key part in ensuring the efficient progression of applications from initial assessment through to offer and completion, maintaining accuracy, consistency, and strong service standards throughout.

Key relationships/interfaces: Brokers, customers, surveyors, solicitors, New Business Teams, Sales and Marketing Teams, Credit Risk Department, Finance Department, Legal & Compliance Department, Customer Operations Department. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide end-to-end case support to the underwriting team, ensuring applications are progressed in line with internal policies and service level expectations. 
• Understand key items such as credit searches, bank statements, property valuations and business appraisals in order to support the full mortgage application journey. 
• Deliver high levels of accuracy and attention to detail in data input and all written communication produced. 
• Build and maintain successful working relationships with external contacts including brokers, customers, surveyors and solicitors, as well as internal teams such as administrators, Underwriters, Completion officers, credit risk and finance, ensuring all lending requirements are satisfied prior to release of funds. 
• Effectively manage a pipeline of cases through to completion, ensuring compliance with both company service standards and lending policy throughout. 
• Handle all internal and external telephone and email enquiries efficiently and in line with company standards. 
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all company policies, procedures and compliance guidelines, embedding these principles into daily practice to protect the business from associated risks. 
• Embrace and apply the principles of Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) and responsible lending. 
• Review referral outcomes and prepare associated documentation, including the production of Indicative Mortgage Offers (IMOs) where required. 

Other tasks and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 

• Assessing and conducting a range of checks including credit searches, Land Registry searches, aggregation checks, Companies House records and customer conduct reviews 
• Assessing supporting documentation such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), identification and verification materials, and adverse media searches 
• Ensuring all cases are fully packaged, with appropriate documentation and information available to support underwriting decisions 
• Providing additional support to underwriters by issuing formal mortgage offers and managing associated documentation 
• Undertaking post-offer case management activities, including processing amendments, reissuing offers and handling extensions in line with policy 

Qualifications

Experience

• GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English 
• Relevant banking/lending experience 

Technical / Specialist Knowledge & Skills: 

• Computer literate with good knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) 
• Knowledge of TCF (Treating Customers Fairly) 
• Good knowledge of compliance procedures within the mortgage industry 
• Ability to read valuations, business appraisals and credit searches 

Interpersonal: 

• Adaptable and flexible 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Excellent planning and organisational skills 
• Enthusiastic “can do” attitude 
• Able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines 
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail 
• Professional and well presented 
• Establishes effective working relationships at all levels 
• Customer-focused approach 
• Proactive and self-driven 

Additional Information

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
• Discounts on gym membership nationwide
• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done