Mortgage Underwriter in Kensington

When we started Kensington we were the first specialist lender to offer mortgages to people the high street turned down. Over 25 years later, we're the UK's leading specialist mortgage lender still blazing a trail offering people the chance to get a mortgage.

Where high street lenders see black and white, we've always used our expertise and manual underwriting capability to see the shades in between. In a market where changing lifestyles mean more people are falling outside the traditional mortgage criteria, it's an approach that can make a real difference to people who want to own a property.

It's what we call the Kensington Difference.

Kensington Mortgage Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank UK PLC from 1 March 2023, and the principal activity of the Company is the origination and servicing of mortgage assets. The Company is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for regulated activities.

Overall Purpose of Job

Due to growth we are looking for experienced Underwriters to join us here at Kensington Mortgages.

The Underwriter is responsible for underwriting mortgage applications in accordance with the Lending policy, TCF principles and FCA responsible lending best practice. It is expected they will maintain a high level of relevant industry knowledge and apply the highest standards of risk based underwriting at all times.

The relationship with other areas of the business is fundamental to the delivery of a seamless service to the client and the highest levels of proactive co-operation and approachability are expected.

Key Accountabilities

• Manually Underwrite and approve Residential and Buy to Let mortgage applications in accordance with the lending policy, TCF and responsible lending principles, and within authorised mandate. Recommend any cases outside mandate to the UTL /UTM and ensure all cases hold a robust documented rationale for the lending decision.
• To be responsible for all underwriting queries, resolution of issues and decisions in principle for new cases.
• Ensure all correspondence including references and valuations are in line with lending policy and the appropriate mortgage product.
• Act fairly and reasonably in line with TCF and responsible lending principles in all dealings with intermediaries, solicitors and valuers.
• Ensure that all KFIs (including porting cases) produced are accurate and compliant
• Build a close working relationship with key areas of the business to enhance the process from a system, service and quality perspective.
• To work closely with NBA Buddy to support their ongoing development and increase their knowledge in their role, through effective coaching and feedback. To create an effective and efficient unit to maximise productivity whilst adhering to all quality and service measures.
• To comply with the Code of Business Ethics and ensure your responsibilities regarding the Prevention of Financial Crime (including money laundering, identification and reporting of fraud) are carried out effectively and in accordance with the Company's internal policies.
• Proactively keep up to date with human resource policy, external legislation, funding constraints, product criteria and underwriting criteria changes to ensure prudent underwriting.
• Ensure that all complaints are handled in line with the Complaints Handling Procedures. Identify improvements to performance and the process, working with managers and other areas of the business.
• Undertake adhoc project work as directed by Underwriting Technical Manager or Head of Lending. Flexibility to assist the wider business as and when required in other roles

Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Experience in Prime and Specialist lending as an Underwriter holding a mandate of £250k minimum for a minimum of 2 years.
• To act with integrity at all times and embrace the philosophy of treating our customers fairly
• Detailed understanding of the mortgage intermediary market and related FCA permissions.
• Detailed understanding of organised fraud and measures/systems in place to avoid it.
• Able to demonstrate that they are proactive, hardworking, flexible and able to work under own initiative but also a team player.
• Demonstrate a full understanding of TCF, Responsible lending and regulatory knowledge applicable to the role. Able to prioritise effectively to manage multiple underwriting functions

Other skills or qualifications that would be helpful

• Recent experience in Niche Buy to Let Lending, Limited Co B2L, including HMOs, Light refurbishment and Multi Unit properties.
• Second Charge lending
• CeMAP qualified

Start Dates if Successful

Please Note, if successful you must be available to start on either:

21st October 2024

27th January 2025

We also ask no long periods of holidays during the training periods.

If you want to make a Difference, apply now.