Retail Underwriter

Hello, we’re Starling. We built a new kind of bank because we knew technology had the power to help people save, spend and manage their money in a new and transformative way. We’re a fully licensed UK bank with the culture and spirit of a fast-moving, disruptive tech company. We’re a bank, but better: fairer, easier to use and designed to demystify money for everyone. We employ more than 3,500 people across our London, Southampton, Cardiff and Manchester offices.

To support the wider growth and strategic objectives of the business, we’re looking for a Retail Underwriter who will support our Retail Lending Manager in growing our Lending portfolios. 

This role will sit within the Customer and Banking division and will work closely with the broader Banking team. 

Starling continues to grow its asset base at pace through a number of origination channels and this role will give you the opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting FinTechs during a pivotal phase of growth.

Our Recruitment Process:

Interviewing is a two way process and we want you to have the time and opportunity to get to know us, as much as we are getting to know you! Our interviews are conversational and we want to get the best from you, so come with questions and be curious. 

In general you can expect the below:

Stage 1 - 15-20 minute call with our Talent Acquisition team

Stage 2 - 45 minute interview with our Retail Lending Manager, accompanied by a member of the Retail Underwriting team

Key accountabilities:

• Perform high-level eligibility and risk assessments in line with Company policy and appetite
• Assess account activity and income information in order to determine lending affordability 
• Carry out in-depth reviews of credit file information and commitment to existing credit facilities
• Proactively identify and manage consumer vulnerability within lending applications, escalating where appropriate
• Assign appropriate credit limits, payment plans and interest schemes
• Review appeals for declined lending decisions in accordance with Company procedures, escalating to senior management where appropriate
• Recognise and manage customer complaints and expectations
• Support Retail Lending Manager with additional tasks and developments that arise

• Previous experience manually underwriting personal credit applications (overdrafts, loans or credit cards) in banking or financial services
• Confident decision maker: you’re comfortable making lending decisions based on thorough analysis of income, expenditure, credit file information and transactional behaviour 
• Knowledge of Consumer Duty standards and consumer vulnerability practices
• Knowledge of legal actions such as IVAs and CCJs (preferable)
• Ability to respond to customer queries efficiently and sympathetically
• Organised, with the ability to deliver to deadlines and manage conflicting priorities within a dynamic environment
• Operate well within a team environment
• Office attendance required (10 days per month)

• 25 days holiday (plus take your public holiday allowance whenever works best for you)
• An extra day’s holiday for your birthday
• Annual leave is increased with length of service, and you can choose to buy or sell up to five extra days off
• 16 hours paid volunteering time a year
• Salary sacrifice, company enhanced pension scheme
• Life insurance at 4x your salary & group income protection
• Private Medical Insurance with VitalityHealth including mental health support and cancer care. Partner benefits include discounts with Waitrose, Mr&Mrs Smith and Peloton
• Generous family-friendly policies
• Incentives refer a friend scheme
• Perkbox membership giving access to retail discounts, a wellness platform for physical and mental health, and weekly free and boosted perks
• Access to initiatives like Cycle to Work, Salary Sacrificed Gym partnerships and Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing

About us:

You may be put off applying for a role because you don't tick every box. Forget that! While we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we're always open to discussion. So, if you're excited about working with us, but aren’t sure if you're 100% there yet, get in touch anyway.We’re on a mission to radically reshape banking – and that starts with our brilliant team. Whatever came before, we’re proud to bring together people of all backgrounds and experiences who love working together to solve problems.

Starling Bank is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Starling Bank are considered without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. When you provide us with this information, you are doing so at your own consent, with full knowledge that we will process this personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice. By submitting your application, you agree that Starling Bank will collect your personal data for recruiting and related purposes. Our Privacy Notice explains what personal information we will process, where we will process your personal information, its purposes for processing your personal information, and the rights you can exercise over our use of your personal information.