Credit Underwriter

Purpose Statement

• We are seeking an experienced Credit Underwriter who will be responsible for assessing credit card applications, evaluating applicants' creditworthiness, and making data-driven credit decisions that balance portfolio growth with effective risk management. The role will ensure responsible credit limit allocation, minimise default risks, and maintain compliance with the company's credit policies and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate credit card applications by analysing applicants' financial information, income, bank statements, credit bureau reports, and transaction history to determine creditworthiness.
• Assess applicants' repayment capacity, debt obligations, credit behaviour, and overall risk exposure to determine eligibility for credit facilities.
• Recommend appropriate credit limits, pricing, and other credit terms based on risk assessment and established underwriting guidelines.
• Review and verify the accuracy, completeness, and authenticity of submitted applications and supporting documentation.
• Make informed credit approval, rejection, or escalation decisions within delegated authority and established credit policies.
• Identify potential fraud indicators, inconsistencies, and high-risk applications, recommending appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Collaborate with Product, Sales, Credit Operations, and Risk teams to improve credit assessment processes, decision quality, and application turnaround time.
• Review existing cardholders' credit performance and recommend credit limit increases, reductions, or restrictions based on repayment behaviour and risk exposure.
• Monitor early delinquency trends and underwriting outcomes to identify gaps and recommend improvements to credit assessment criteria.
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies, regulatory requirements, and established risk management standards while maintaining accurate credit decision records.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Underwriting Turnaround Time: Timely assessment and decisioning of credit card applications within agreed SLAs.
• First Payment Default Rate: Minimise defaults on initial repayment obligations.
• Early Delinquency Rate: Maintain acceptable delinquency levels among newly approved cardholders.
• Credit Decision Quality: Ensure approved credit limits align with applicants' repayment capacity and risk profiles.
• Credit Policy Compliance: Maintain adherence to underwriting policies, approval limits, and regulatory requirements.
• Underwriting Productivity: Meet agreed application processing volumes without compromising assessment quality.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in credit underwriting, credit risk analysis, or consumer lending, preferably within a fintech or financial institution.
• Strong understanding of credit card underwriting, consumer credit risk, credit scoring models, and credit bureau reporting.
• Proficiency in financial analysis, income verification, debt-to-income assessment, and credit limit determination.
• Good knowledge of credit policies, fraud detection, and relevant lending regulations.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency  in data analysis tools such as: Microsoft Excel; experience with SQL or credit decisioning systems is an advantage.
• Excellent attention to detail, sound judgement, and ability to make timely, risk-based credit decisions.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in risk management software and tools is an advantage.