Lending Associate

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver lending volumes and product mix in line with personal targets to support the achievement of the wider business financial plan.
• Build brand awareness and profile across broker and professional communities through effective and targeted networking, while proactively managing brokers on Recognise’s panel, including annual reviews of allocated broker firms and attendance at national events, seminars, dinners, and awards.
• Review and analyse all new business enquiries and manage progressing lending proposals through to approval, ensuring applications are correctly packaged for timely sanction and completion, working collaboratively with the Deal Team (Operations Manager and Underwriter).
• Ensure all lending proposals, whether manual or system-generated, fall within credit risk appetite, lending policy, and criteria, and meet the Bank’s minimum return requirements.
• Maintain high data quality standards, ensuring information is regularly reviewed and updated to support business operations and regulatory reporting.
• Deliver outstanding customer service, demonstrated through positive feedback and broker/customer surveys.
• Collaborate with wider teams to support the development and evolution of the regulated bridge proposition towards a near-automated solution.
• Maintain open and transparent communication with internal stakeholders (including Loan Operations, Credit Underwriting, Chief Commercial Officer, Second Line Risk, and Internal Audit) and external stakeholders where required.
• Act as a lead or support on projects within the Business Development Team and across the wider business on commercial lending initiatives.
• Comply with all regulatory requirements, including Consumer Duty and SMCR, and complete all mandatory regulatory training in a timely manner.


• Corporate Responsibilities
• Read and adhere to all relevant company policies and procedures.
• Fulfil all risk-related responsibilities in line with the Risk Management Policy.
• Comply with all compliance and financial crime policies, procedures, and reporting obligations applicable to the role.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 3+ years’ lending experience.
• CeMAP qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Experience working in a regulated environment with regulated financial products.
• Expert knowledge of the regulated bridging market is essential, with broader commercial real estate experience desirable but not essential.
• Proven track record of identifying new business opportunities through networking and utilising a strong professional network, including an existing network of FCA-regulated brokers within the regulated bridging market.
• Demonstrated business development and relationship management skills.
• Strong business case writing and credit analysis skills.