Close Brothers · Professional Services

Close Brothers Underwriter Interview

Complete guide to the Underwriter interview at Close Brothers — real questions, insider tips, salary data, and stage-by-stage preparation.

Typically 2-4 weeks from initial contact to offer.

4 stages

12 questions

Practise this interview free

Overview

Interviewing for Underwriter at Close Brothers

Interviewing for a Underwriter position at Close Brothers is a distinct experience from applying to the same role elsewhere. Close Brothers with 2,600+ employees, has built a structured hiring process that reflects both the demands of the Underwriter role and the company's own values and culture. The process is designed to assess not just whether you can do the job technically, but whether you'll thrive in Close Brothers's specific working environment.

For Underwriters specifically, Close Brothers assesses a blend of role-specific expertise and alignment with the company's working style. Interviewers want to see evidence that you've delivered measurable results in similar settings and that you understand the particular challenges Underwriters face in the banking & financial services sector. Come prepared to discuss specific examples from your experience, not generic talking points.

Understanding what Close Brothers values — and how that translates into their interview expectations for a Underwriter — gives you a significant advantage. This guide breaks down the full process, the specific questions you're likely to face, and how to prepare effectively.

Process

How Close Brothers interviews Underwriters

Close Brothers's interview process for Underwriter roles typically runs 2-4 weeks and involves 4 distinct stages. The process begins with initial interview and progresses through increasingly focused assessments. Each stage is designed to evaluate different aspects of your suitability — from baseline qualifications through to cultural alignment and role-specific capability.

For Underwriter candidates, the process is structured to assess both your technical competence and your fit within Close Brothers's team. Expect a mix of competency-based questions testing relevant experience, scenario-based discussions probing your judgement, and conversations about your career goals. Close Brothers looks for candidates who can demonstrate impact from previous roles and articulate how they'd contribute here.

Initial Interview

Phone or video call with HR or team member covering background and motivation.

Tailor your application specifically for the Underwriter role at Close Brothers. Highlight experience with Core technical skills, Communication, Time management and use language that mirrors their job description. Close Brothers receives high volumes of applications, so a generic CV will be filtered out.

First-Round Interview

Interview covering experience and fit with Close Brothers' values. Discussion of specialist interests.

Research Close Brothers's approach to this stage. Prepare specific examples from your Underwriter experience that demonstrate the qualities they value: specialist focus, client orientation, integrity and values.

Second-Round Interview

Interview with senior team members. Discussion of technical capability and cultural fit.

Offer Stage

Final discussions and offer. Reference checks.

Qualities

What Close Brothers looks for in Underwriters

Specialist focus

Close Brothers values specialist focus because Interest in developing deep expertise in specialist banking..

For the Underwriter role, show this by sharing examples where you used Core technical skills or Communication to deliver measurable results.

Client orientation

Close Brothers values client orientation because Commitment to understanding client needs and building relationships..

For the Underwriter role, show this by sharing examples where you used Core technical skills or Communication to deliver measurable results.

Integrity and values

Close Brothers values integrity and values because Strong ethical standards and alignment with Close Brothers' principles..

For the Underwriter role, show this by sharing examples where you used Core technical skills or Communication to deliver measurable results.

Technical capability

Close Brothers values technical capability because Solid understanding of banking products and credit fundamentals..

For the Underwriter role, show this by sharing examples where you used Core technical skills or Communication to deliver measurable results.

Competence

For Underwriter roles specifically, competence is essential because Demonstrates solid understanding of responsibilities and performs tasks well.

Prepare 2-3 examples from your experience that clearly demonstrate competence. Close Brothers's interviewers will probe this in behavioural questions.

Questions

Close Brothers Underwriter interview questions

What attracts you to specialist banking?

Close Brothers asks this to assess your fit for the Underwriter role and alignment with their values.

Frame your answer around your Underwriter experience specifically. Reference Close Brothers's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.

Describe your understanding of SME lending.

Close Brothers asks this to assess your fit for the Underwriter role and alignment with their values.

Frame your answer around your Underwriter experience specifically. Reference Close Brothers's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.

How would you approach assessing credit quality for a mid-market borrower?

Close Brothers asks this to assess your fit for the Underwriter role and alignment with their values.

Frame your answer around your Underwriter experience specifically. Reference Close Brothers's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.

Tell us about Close Brothers' positioning and competitive advantage.

Close Brothers asks this to assess your fit for the Underwriter role and alignment with their values.

Frame your answer around your Underwriter experience specifically. Reference Close Brothers's values or recent projects to show you've done your research.

Video Interview Practice

Choose your interview type

Your question

“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”

30s preparation 2 min recording Camera + mic

Preparation

How to prepare for your Close Brothers Underwriter interview

Preparing for a Underwriter interview at Close Brothers requires a dual focus: you need to master the role-specific technical requirements and understand how Close Brothers operates as an organisation. Start by thoroughly reviewing the job description and mapping your experience against every requirement. For each skill or qualification listed, prepare a specific example from your career that demonstrates competence — ideally with quantifiable outcomes.

On the role-specific side, ensure you can discuss Core technical skills, Communication, Time management, Problem-solving with confidence and provide concrete examples. Close Brothers values candidates who can connect their technical skills to business outcomes, so prepare to explain not just what you did, but the measurable impact it had.

Research Close Brothers beyond their website: read recent news, check their Glassdoor reviews (their rating is 3.8/5), and look at what current employees say about working there. Understanding their culture helps you frame your answers authentically and ask informed questions — interviewers notice when a candidate has done their homework versus when they're winging it.

Preparation checklist

1Review the Underwriter job description in detail and map each requirement to a specific example from your experience
2Research Close Brothers's recent news, strategic direction, and banking & financial services position over the last 12 months
3Prepare 6-8 examples using situation-action-result structure covering: specialist focus, client orientation, integrity and values
4Practise discussing your experience with Core technical skills, Communication, Time management, Problem-solving in concrete, outcome-focused terms
5Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions about the Underwriter role, team structure, and Close Brothers's direction — avoid questions answered on their website
6Review Close Brothers's values and culture: Specialist focus and Client orientation — prepare examples showing alignment
7Review industry trends in banking & financial services that could affect Close Brothers's business and the Underwriter function
8Plan your interview logistics: know the format (in-person/remote), dress code, and who you're meeting — check LinkedIn for interviewer backgrounds if known

The role

Working as a Underwriter at Close Brothers

A typical day as a Underwriter at Close Brothers blends the core responsibilities of the role with Close Brothers's specific working culture and pace. In a mid-size organisation, you'd likely have more autonomy and broader responsibilities, with less rigid structure and more direct access to senior decision-makers. Close Brothers's banking & financial services focus means the work carries a results-oriented rhythm where impact is measured and visible.

Your day would typically involve perform core responsibilities applying specialist knowledge to meet business objectives.. At Close Brothers specifically, this work is shaped by their emphasis on specialist focus and client orientation, so expect collaborative working, regular check-ins, and an environment where proactive contribution is noticed and rewarded.

Compensation

Underwriter salary at Close Brothers

Typical range

£23,000–£29,000 to £33,000–£45,000

Underwriter salaries at Close Brothers are generally competitive for the sector. Close Brothers typically reviews salaries annually with adjustments based on performance and market benchmarking. The UK average for Underwriters ranges from £23,000–£29,000 at junior level to £50,000–£68,000 for experienced professionals, and Close Brothers's positioning within that range reflects their banking & financial services standing and location.

Beyond base salary, Close Brothers offers a benefits package that includes Competitive base salary with annual performance bonus, Defined contribution pension (employer contribution up to 10%), Private healthcare and dental coverage, Life assurance (typically 4x salary), 25-27 days annual leave plus bank holidays. For Underwriters specifically, the total compensation package including pension, holiday, and professional development support adds meaningful value beyond the headline salary figure.

Application

How to apply for Underwriter at Close Brothers

Getting through the door for a Underwriter role at Close Brothers starts well before the interview. Close Brothers typically advertises roles on their careers page and major job boards, but for competitive positions, a direct referral from a current employee can significantly improve your chances. If you know anyone at Close Brothers — or can connect through LinkedIn or industry events — a warm introduction carries more weight than a cold application.

Your application should speak directly to the Underwriter requirements and Close Brothers's stated values. Focus on outcomes and measurable impact. Close Brothers receives many applications for Underwriter positions, so specific achievements (revenue, efficiency, growth metrics) differentiate you from candidates who only describe responsibilities.

Write a cover letter that names Close Brothers and the Underwriter role explicitly — generic applications are obvious and get filtered. Reference something specific about Close Brothers: a recent project, their market position, or a strategic direction that aligns with your experience. Keep it to one page and lead with your strongest relevant achievement.

Common mistakes to avoid

1Applying with a generic CV that doesn't mention Close Brothers or the specific Underwriter requirements — tailoring your application is non-negotiable here
2Not researching Close Brothers's values and interview style — candidates who can't articulate why they want to work specifically at Close Brothers rarely progress past first-round
3Preparing only generic Underwriter examples without connecting them to Close Brothers's banking & financial services context and priorities
4Underestimating the cultural fit assessment — Close Brothers's interviewers give significant weight to whether you'll thrive in their specific environment
5Failing to prepare thoughtful questions — asking nothing, or asking questions easily answered on Close Brothers's website, signals a lack of genuine interest in the role

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Close Brothers Underwriter interview process take?

Close Brothers's interview process for Underwriter roles typically takes 2-4 weeks. This varies depending on the seniority of the role and the number of candidates at each stage. Some candidates report faster timelines when there's an urgent hiring need.

What salary can a Underwriter expect at Close Brothers?

Underwriter salaries at Close Brothers range from £23,000–£29,000 for junior positions to £50,000–£68,000 for experienced professionals. Close Brothers generally offers market-rate compensation with room for negotiation.

What does Close Brothers look for in Underwriter candidates?

Close Brothers prioritises specialist focus, client orientation, integrity and values when hiring Underwriters. Beyond technical competence, they value candidates who align with their company culture and can demonstrate measurable impact from previous roles.

Is it hard to get a Underwriter job at Close Brothers?

Close Brothers is a competitive employer for Underwriter positions. The selection process is rigorous but fair — candidates who prepare thoroughly and demonstrate genuine interest in the role and company have a strong chance. The key differentiator is preparation: candidates who research Close Brothers specifically and connect their experience to the role's requirements consistently outperform those who don't.

What's the best way to prepare for a Underwriter interview at Close Brothers?

Start by researching Close Brothers's values, recent news, and banking & financial services position. Prepare 6-8 structured examples from your Underwriter experience covering specialist focus and client orientation. Practise discussing your technical skills (Core technical skills, Communication, Time management) with specific outcomes. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and team.

Does Close Brothers offer graduate or entry-level Underwriter positions?

Close Brothers occasionally advertises entry-level Underwriter positions. For a mid-size organisation, these may not be formalised graduate schemes but rather junior roles where you'd learn on the job with mentoring support.

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