Redwood Bank says that it is "doubling down" on its investment in specialist underwriting at a time when increasingly complex borrowing scenarios require greater flexibility and individual assessment from lenders.
The specialist business bank has announced that it has appointed Omkar Hushing as senior underwriting manager, bringing more than 15 years' experience in structured and non-bank lending to support its continued growth and expanding product range.
Hushing's move into the role reflects a philosophy of manual, case-by-case underwriting that he says aligns closely with his own approach, one that allows underwriters to weigh a borrower's wider circumstances alongside their credit profile.
Omkar Hushing, senior underwriting manager at Redwood Bank, said: "It's not about looking for reasons to decline a case.
"It's about understanding the Bank's risk appetite and seeing how a deal can be structured to work for both the customer and the Bank. It's prioritising the borrower first and not using policies and processes as excuses or to hide behind certain things.
"Redwood is not a place where things are done a certain way just because that's how they've always been done. There's a genuine focus on improving processes and doing things better.
"I was keen to get back into a specialist banking environment. Redwood stood out because of its ambition, its growth plans and the opportunity to contribute to the next phase of its journey.
"What has impressed me most since joining is the culture. There is a real focus on collaboration and an open-door approach across the business. Everyone is working towards the same goal, with brokers and customers at the centre of every decision."
David Kennedy, chief operating officer at Redwood Bank, added: "Omkar's appointment further strengthens our underwriting capabilities as we continue to grow and enhance our lending proposition.
"He brings extensive experience across specialist lending and underwriting, along with a strong understanding of lending operations and risk management. His expertise will play an important role as we continue to invest in our people, processes and products to support brokers and customers across the specialist finance market."
