Credit Underwriter

Job description

The Credit Underwriter role is based within the John Lewis underwriting team, part of Underwriting Services.

The role of the Underwriter is to assess the current financial circumstances of our customers who are applying for a lending facility and to provide well-reasoned credit lending decisions. As part of the role you will provide credit assessments and recommendations whilst minimising any credit risks, fraud, regulatory and conduct risks.

The role will also require you to provide constructive feedback to the branch network and/or direct sales channels. At all times you will treat our customers fairly, making this a driving factor in everything you do, whilst also managing and developing yourself to ensure that all standards, disciplines and internal controls are adhered to. A Credit Officer will have regular contact with customers and colleagues on the telephones and in writing and must be able to communicate professionally in English.

Underwriting Services provides credit underwriting services for HSBC, first direct, M&S Bank and John Lewis Financial Services, assessing and approving loans, credit cards, overdrafts and mortgages. There will be a formal training program, leading to eventual accreditation and Personal Lending Authority. You will be based in Birmingham, the home of HSBC UK.

Your responsibilities will include:

· Analyse, use initiative and judgment to provide well balanced lending decisions based on affordability. This may include regular telephone contact with customers and colleagues.
· Actively listen to customer needs and respond to their queries/concerns, aiming to provide resolution at first point of contact, avoiding unnecessary delays.
· Ensure all procedures and internal controls are adhered to, minimising fraud, losses and bed debt. Continuously critically review policies and procedures providing evidence based recommendations for change
· Identify opportunities to enhance working practices. Ensure all procedures and internal controls are adhered to, minimising fraud, losses and bad debt.
· To continuously reassess the operational risks associated with the role inherent in the business, taking account of changing economic or market conditions, legal and regulatory requirements, operating procedures and practices, management restructurings, and the impact of new technology

Desired profile

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

·  Experience working in relevant environment/s, i.e. Customer Services and/or Credit
·  Role relevant qualifications, i.e. English & Maths (GCSE A-C or equivalent)
·  Availability to work the shift pattern required for this role, i.e. The successful candidate will be employed on a flexible contract - 35 hours worked within a working window of Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri 8.00am-10.00pm, Sat 9.00am-7.00pm & Sun 10.00am-6.00pm - specific pattern for each role will be determined by the capabilities demonstrated by the candidate and dependant on business needs.
·  Relevant product knowledge including knowledge of credit products eg loans, credit cards, overdrafts etc is desirable but not essential
·  A track record of gaining an understanding of customers' needs and delivering excellent customer service
·  An open, flexible and supportive approach to change and innovation
·  Self-awareness with confidence to work independently and take responsibility for own development
·  Both spoken and written communication skills with experience of adapting your style and approach to the audience and message to be delivered
·  Contributed productively to team objectives, sometimes supporting and sometimes leading activities to achieve shared goals
·  Experience of making timely and rational decisions, based on relevant information and experience

The base location for this role is Edmund Street, Birmingham.

At HSBC we look to enable our employees to better balance their work / life priorities and have the flexibility required to meet challenging needs as they progress through different life stages. Where possible we will consider the following flexible working options: part-time working, job sharing, term-time working, working from home and staggered hours. If in considering a role with HSBC you have a need for some flexibility in your working arrangements please discuss this with the recruitment team in the early stages of the application process.

HSBC is committed to building a culture where all employees are valued, respected and opinions count. We take pride in providing a workplace that fosters continuous professional development, flexible working and opportunities to grow within an inclusive and diverse environment.

Key search words: Credit, Lending, Risk, Underwriting, Customer Service, JLP.