Underwriter- Payments

About the Role

A rapidly growing player in the digital payments space is seeking a skilled Underwriter to join their Risk & Compliance team. This company operates as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and provides secure, compliant, and scalable payment solutions to a diverse portfolio of merchants. As the business expands, the Underwriter will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the client onboarding process.

What You’ll Be Doing

Based in the London office, you’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to assess the risks associated with new and existing clients. Your focus will be on understanding business models, identifying financial crime risk, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. You’ll play a key role in maintaining a robust underwriting framework that supports responsible growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate potential and existing merchants across various industries
• Analyse business structures, financial statements, and ownership models to assess risk
• Identify and escalate financial crime or regulatory concerns
• Collaborate with compliance to meet AML, CTF, and other regulatory requirements
• Draft clear, well-structured risk assessments and recommendations
• Contribute to the development of underwriting procedures and risk policies
• Support ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of client risk profiles

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in underwriting within an EMI, PSP, fintech, or banking environment)
• Strong understanding of the payments landscape and associated risks
• Familiarity with UK financial regulations, including FCA guidelines, AML, and KYC
• Ability to interpret financial data and assess business risk
• Meticulous attention to detail and sound analytical judgment
• Clear communicator with the ability to present complex findings
• Proactive and adaptable, comfortable working in a fast-paced setting

Desirable Skills

• Experience with high-risk merchant sectors
• Knowledge of card scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard)
• Familiarity with tools such as Sumsub, WorldCheck, or Webshield
• Professional certifications in compliance or risk (e.g., ICA or equivalent)