Credit Quality Assurance Manager

Hampshire Trust Bank is a specialist bank, staffed by experts focused on helping UK businesses realise their ambitions.

We offer niche specialty lines, as a SME bank, targeting under-served segments. Our dedicated Wholesale Finance, Bridging Finance, Development Finance and Specialist Mortgages teams ensure that businesses receive the outstanding service, lasting relationships, integrity and expertise they need to prosper.

We also provide savings accounts to individuals and businesses and since we lend to SMEs, our savers can be sure their money will help boost the British economy. Our vision is to be the go-to bank in our chosen markets; to deliver positive customer outcomes, rewarding careers and great shareholder value through a high-performing culture grounded in excellence and integrity.

Discover more about working at HTB here - Life at HTB | Careers & Inside Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB)

About the Department

The Credit Risk Team sits within the 2nd Line of Defence Risk and Compliance function. The CR team provides management, control and execution of Credit Risk policy and related processes across HTB's portfolio of lending exposures in its chosen specialist industry sectors: Real Estate Investment and Development Finance (including bridging finance/short term lending) and Wholesale Finance (including Structured and Funds Finance and Block Discounting).

Roles within the Credit Risk Team contribute to supporting the Chief Risk Officer and Bank Executives by making a significant contribution to the design and execution of credit risk strategy/related processes, providing a centre of excellence for underwriting and credit approvals, undertaking credit quality assurance, and maintaining a detailed oversight and understanding of HTBs growing portfolio of lending exposures.

The Credit Quality Assurance function plays a pivotal role in ensuring HTB is following its policies and procedures when making lending decisions, executing on the documentation and funding of our lending, and managing the in-life lending portfolio.

The remit of this role could suit either a part time/job share or full-time employee.

HTB operates a hybrid working pattern, which means our staff work from our London offices 50% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake Lending Decision Oversight and Credit Operations Assurance in order to ensure Credit Risk policies and procedures are effectively embedded across the lending businesses and proactively identify any emerging credit risks.
• Participate in monthly discussions with first line to review and challenge QA outcomes and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Maintain strong, constructive and transparent relationships with all lending businesses. Provide ongoing feedback, and guidance to first line teams based on emerging themes and findings.
• Support the production of clear, insightful and timely risk assurance reports for the relevant Committees
• Support the operational management of the Credit Stewardship Forums, Transactional Credit Committee and Credit Committee including planning, agenda preparation, Secretariat duties and action tracking.
• Assist the Senior Manager Credit Quality Assurance with the management and delivery of the RCSA process for Credit Risk.
• Assist the Chief Credit Officer and the Head of Credit Risk Policy, QA and Frameworks in supplying information to third Line (Internal Audit) or the Regulators as required

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience in a lending role with credit analysis skills or prior experience in credit quality assurance roles.
• Strong analytical skills with solid working knowledge of risk control systems, processes and reporting.
• Experience in producing high-quality credit risk reports for senior management
• Industry qualifications - CIA, CRMA, CFA or other relevant professional qualifications will be considered an advantage
• Strong IT skills - Proficiency in Power BI is desirable
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical capability and ability to distil complex information into clear and concise insights
• Demonstrated ability to exercise balanced and independent judgement.
• Excellent planning, organisation, communication and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to support change and promote innovative thinking

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration including discretionary annual bonus and annual pay review
• Private Medical Insurance (Bupa)
• Mental health & wellbeing support via YuLife & Bupa
• 25 days annual leave (increasing with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme & Green Car Scheme
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Study support & professional memberships
• Hybrid working (50/50 London)
• YuLife Rewards - retail, lifestyle & experience discounts
• Pension scheme - 8% employer contribution (noncontributory)
• Interestfree season ticket loan
• Annual volunteering day & Net Zero employer commitment