If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Simon Blau via email sblau@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

00337624

PROFILE:

A competent and enthusiastic Credit Risk Specialist, with motivational management ability and strong interpersonal skills. Brings a wealth of experience in the Financial Services industry, including thirty years working within real estate secured lending.

Has extensive knowledge of commercial and residential underwriting, including Prime / Specialist mortgages, Bridging and Development finance, and Second Charges. Able to assess High Net Worth applications based on risk exposure rather than solely on product criteria and policy parameters, and successfully apply the skills gained from working directly with clients to deliver solutions to the employer and to customers, from initial enquiry stage through to loan redemption.

KEY SKILLS:

Business Relationships

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of business activities which enable effective working relationships to be formed with clients and colleagues at all levels.

Commercialism

• Key area of expertise is Credit Risk underwriting, where attention to detail, and awareness of risk appetite are critical.

Development

• Embraces opportunities to get involved in projects and training, and to share knowledge with others.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Developed a BTL Credit Risk Policy and Underwriting Manual for Catalyst when we entered the BTL mortgage market in 2021.
• Delivered an improved streamlined underwriting process to our Operations team. This was implemented in November 2018.
• A volunteer in the local community with Vida to improve sports facilities for local children.
• Developed a Short-Term Finance Credit Risk Policy which was significant in gaining a new funding platform from a high street bank. (Mortgage Lender)
• Delivered to the business an improvement under “The Bright Ideas Scheme” which highlighted areas for enhancement in fee cost-savings. This idea was subsequently implemented.
• Supported IT team in the development of an automated point of sale underwriting tool to improve customer service.

CAREER HISTORY:

September 2023 – Present

Building Society

Contracted Senior Underwriter

• Deputise for Head of Underwriting in their absence.
• Day-to-day supervision of the Underwriting team, acting as a point of referral for queries on HNW / complex applications
• Recommend HNW deals to Credit Committee for approval and consider credit policy exceptions where warranted.
• Audit Self-build mortgages and development loans at pre-completion stage.
• Carry out monthly 1-2-1 feedback sessions with individual underwriters to identify any coaching requirements / issues / concerns.
• Deliver underwriting training to colleagues where required.
• Keep UpToDate with changes to our Policies / relevant legislation.

December 2020 - August 2023

Property Finance

Underwriting Manager

• Day-to-day management of the Underwriting team, acting as a point of referral for queries on HNW / complex deals
• Credit Committee member, assessing loans up to £15M, and considering credit policy exceptions where warranted.
• Audit residential / commercial / development loans at pre-completion stage.
• Carry out monthly 1-2-1 feedback sessions with individual underwriters to identify any coaching requirements.
• Deliver underwriting training to the Team where required.
• Keep UpToDate with changes to our Policies / relevant legislation.

March 2017 - September 2020

Mortgage Broker

Underwriting Training Manager /Technical Underwriting Manager (Sep/17 – Sep/20)

• Organise and deliver underwriting training to a specialist classroom academy to teach both new and existing staff members how to assess mortgage applications, identify risks, and request relevant information to mitigate those risks, in line with product criteria, and give plausible rationale to support their decision.
• Underwrite High Net Worth / complex loans for professional portfolio landlords.
• Carry out regular 1-2-1 feedback sessions with underwriters to identify any coaching needs and deliver workshops accordingly.
• Make formal mandate recommendations to Director of Credit Risk, after trainees have successfully achieved pass grades in exam papers and had reached a satisfactory level of competence after underwriting a broad range of mortgage applications.

Credit Risk Contractor (Mar/17- Sep/17)

• Support the CRO with quality assurance audit checks to ensure the mortgages being approved are not in breach of our underwriting policies.
• Assist the management team in regularly reviewing our policies in line with up- to-date regulations, business strategy, and changes in risk appetite.

February 2016 - March 2017

Financial & Credit Company

Head of Underwriting

• Assisting Directors with the control of credit to avoid the risk of loss through regular reviews of our Credit Risk Policy
• Supervising underwriting activities that facilitate the smooth running of the office to meet service quality requirement.
• Ensure applications are assessed within the parameters set within our Credit Risk Policy, and exceptions are formally considered where warranted.
• Assisting Asset Managers with fraud investigation and recovery of impaired credit
• Attend credit meetings to provide input and comment on any pertinent issues.
• Manage our credit exposure regarding retained / development finance.
• Build and maintain relationships with our introducers, clients, and stakeholders.
• Meet our clients in person to establish the use of our loan / the security, and the plausibility of the intended exit strategy.

March 2014 – February 2016

Mortgage Lender

Head of Underwriting

• As above

October 2012 – March 2014

Fire Protection Consultant

Health & Safety Manager

• Responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing Health & Safety strategies, policies and procedures, risk assessments and safe working practices throughout our business, providing clear and accurate legislation, codes of practice, EU Directives, and best practice.
• Providing concise, relevant health, safety and welfare advice, guidance, and operational support on all health & safety matters, including fire, asbestos, Legionella, CDM and lone working
• Undertaking audits and workplace inspections to identify where management practices can be improved,
• Developing and delivering safety training on relevant matters including risk assessments, manual handling, working at height, asbestos awareness, fire safety
• Preparing H&S Reports and performance data to present to directors and auditors.

January 2009 – October 2012

Civil Engineering

Office Manager

• Responsible for organising and supervising the administrative activities that facilitate the smooth running of the office to meet service quality targets.
• Produce quality check reports and complete CAD drawings.
• Undertake risk assessments.
• Keep abreast of UK H&S legislation and communicate changes to colleagues.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers and employees within PHSC Group.

August 2004 - September 2008

Mortgage Broker

Senior Underwriter

• Underwrite Specialist Prime / BTL mortgage applications to ensure they meet company’s loan criteria / credit risk policy.
• Ensure work is assessed within the company’s SLA targets.
• Delivered underwriting training to new staff members to enable them to become mandated.
• Keep up to date with all relevant credit policies, products / criteria, and external legislation.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, colleagues, and introducers.
• Assist our Credit Risk Director with fraud investigation.

1994 – August 2004

Various roles within Financial Services

2001 – 2004: Business Development Manager (Financial Services)

1997 – 2001: Assistant Underwriting Manager (Buy to Let brand)

1994 – 1997: Mortgage Underwriter

TRAINING / EDUCATION:

• Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Account Management & Business Development (Tack International)
• CeMAP
• City & Guilds Principles of Risk Assessment
• NEBOSH General Certificate
• 2 A’Levels / 7 GCE O’Levels (including English and Mathematics)

If you are interested in this candidate, please contact Simon Blau via email sblau@cerfinancial.co.uk or call on 0207 626 6065.

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