Senior Second Charge Mortgage Underwriter

About Abound We’re redefining consumer lending in the UK, and beyond. Using advanced AI and Open Banking data, we make fair, affordable personal finance available to more people. While traditional lenders rely almost entirely on credit scores, we look at the full financial picture - how much you spend, and what you can afford to repay to build a deeper, more accurate understanding of each customer's unique financial situation. And we've shown it works at scale. We’ve issued over £1.3bn in loans directly to customers while delivering market-leading credit performance - for every 10 defaults the industry expects, we see only 3. We also reached profitability just 2.5 years after launch. Backed by £2bn+ of funding from top-tier investors including Citi, GSR Ventures, and Deutsche Bank, we’re recognised as one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs (Sifted, CNBC). Now, we’re expanding into new markets and product lines - and we’re looking for ambitious people who want to learn fast, take ownership, and grow with us. About the Role We’re looking for an experienced Senior Mortgage Underwriter to join our growing underwriting team as we continue to build and scale our secured lending proposition. This is an exciting opportunity to join a newly formed team working on a new second charge mortgage product within Abound. You’ll play an important role in shaping the underwriting process, influencing how policy is applied, and supporting the development of a modern underwriting function as the business grows. We’re not looking for someone who simply follows a tick-box process. We want people who can use sound judgement, think commercially, and make balanced lending decisions while still delivering good customer outcomes. In this senior role, you’ll independently assess and underwrite both standard and complex second charge mortgage applications in line with our credit policy, UK regulatory requirements, and responsible lending standards. You’ll review credit data, affordability, income, and property security while making fair, informed, and defensible decisions. As the team continues to grow, there will also be opportunities to help improve processes, suggest new ideas, mentor less experienced team members, and contribute to how the function develops over time. About the Team Our Underwriting team here in Abound has grown rapidly from one underwriter to a team of more than 20 people with a wide mix of backgrounds, experience, and ideas. We work closely together, support one another, and have built a collaborative culture where everyone’s contribution is recognised and valued. We’re now building a new team focused on an exciting second charge mortgage lending product within Abound. As the team is still growing, this is a great opportunity to join early, make a real impact, and help shape how the product develops. Unlike traditional lenders, we’re focused on doing things differently. Our underwriting approach combines a state-of-the-art in-house built technology that blends traditional lending methods with Open Banking analysis to create a smoother and more flexible experience for our customers. We’re always open to new ideas and better ways of working, and senior team members are encouraged to challenge existing processes and help improve how we do things. What You'll Be Doing Assess standard and complex second charge mortgage applications using Open Banking data, credit reference agency information, and supporting documentation to evaluate creditworthiness and risk. Be a go to expert to make final decisions. Make informed, independent underwriting decisions in line with internal policies and UK regulatory requirements. Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of underwriting policies, processes and procedures. Review escalated cases, provide guidance, and ensure consistent application of credit rules across the team. Conduct thorough fraud prevention and AML checks in line with internal controls and FCA requirements. Liaise with customers, brokers, solicitors and internal stakeholders to obtain, verify and explain information where required. Manage and progress your own underwriting pipeline efficiently while maintaining high service and quality standards. Mentor and support junior team members, sharing knowledge and best practice. Support a culture of responsible lending and strong risk awareness. Continue developing your underwriting knowledge and wider lending expertise. Skills & Experience Minimum of 5 years’ experience underwriting first or second charge mortgages — this experience must be UK-based. Strong understanding of working within an FCA-regulated, UK responsible lending rules, affordability assessment, MCOB requirements, fraud prevention, and AML regulations. Demonstrated experience in manual underwriting and assessing complex cases. Excellent attention to detail and sound commercial judgement. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach. Ability to manage workloads effectively and perform well under pressure. Comfortable working in a growing and evolving business environment. Relevant industry qualifications (e.g., CeMAP, CeRER, DipFA or equivalent) are highly desirable. Experience within specialist, non-prime, or adverse credit lending is advantageous. Exposure to both secured and unsecured lending products is beneficial. How We Work We prioritise sound credit decisions and continuous learning from outcomes. We take ownership of our work and support one another to achieve shared goals. We work collaboratively across the business and contribute beyond individual responsibilities. We encourage open discussion, constructive challenge, and accountability. Strong performance and positive contribution are recognised and rewarded. What We Offer Everyone owns a piece of the company - equity Hybrid with 3 days a week in the office 25 days’ holiday a year, plus 8 bank holidays 2 paid volunteering days per year One month paid sabbatical after 4 years Employee loan Free gym membership through WellHub Team wellness budget to be active together - set up a yoga class, a tennis lesson or go bouldering