Manager – Credit Approvals, Corporate at Sidian Bank

JOB PURPOSE

To manage the Credit Approvals and portfolio management and accounts relationship administrative support to Branch Managers/ Relationship managers in compliance with the banks credit policy. Managing the portfolio of accounts with the intention of monitoring acceptable credit risk (including any recoveries) and maximizing the bank’s return from each client.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIES 

• Do quality checks on deals to the MCC &Board & conduct a Risk based analysis by Reviewing of credit proposals received from business units to meet the bank standards for MCC and Board decision making.
• Analysis and approvals of credit facilities within the delegated credit limit and to ensure that they comply with and remain in line with the bank’s credit policy and the prudential guidelines as provided by the central bank of Kenya.
• Safeguarding the institution against loss by ensuring accuracy, completeness and credit worthiness of Corporate, SME, Micro, Consumer and Group proposals and recommend appropriate risk mitigation mechanisms such as proper securities and their perfection, relevant sanction conditions and post disbursement follow ups.
• Ensure Bank lending complies with the relevant Environmental, Climate-related and Social risks laws and prudential guidelines and best practices.
• Oversee Approvals of credit proposals from all the branches and Head office Business teams to ensure that all approval decisions meet the agreed SLA between the credit department and business.
• Preparation of credit Management reports for presentation ALCO, MANCOM, Board and other external parties such us the regulator and financial partners.
• Ensuring the provisions are maintained at the prescribed level by minimizing the risk of loan loss or bad debts through prudent lending practices. 
• Ensure Standards for credit portfolio management by advising and supporting Branches on actions to take in recovering and monitoring portfolio at risk and ensure that branches forward monthly watch list and follow up to make sure recommendation on accounts are implemented.
• Review of sector exposures to ensure compliance to set banks limits by ensuring optimal profitability of the bank. 
• Ensure compliance with internal credit policies & procedures and facilitate prudent management of credit risks while ensuring compliance with the CBK prudential guidelines.
• Manage all staff of the Credit risk unit and ensure the section is adequately resourced to perform their roles.
• Preparation of statutory reports in line with CBK prudential guideline and submission of the same as per the set SLAs.

Risk & Compliance:

• Ensure that Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing compliance culture is promoted within areas of operation
• Closure of identified deficiencies from concluded audits, correction within stipulated timelines, and ensure no repeat findings.
• Provide guidance by consistently enforcing a top-down approach of the Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing   responsibilities
• Ensure that measures are in place   to identify, monitor and control Money Laundering/ Financing of Terrorism/ Proliferation Financing risks affecting the units through completion of Risk and Compliance Self Assessments, reporting to Risk and Compliance Functions and appropriate committees, embedding guideline policies in their operational manuals and tracking resolutions of major risk issues.
• Ensure that all staff within the Group/ Department/ Unit are well trained and have an Up to Date understanding of Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing environment.
• Ensure to Report suspected money laundering cases escalated by staff in the Group/ Department/ Unit to the Money Laundering Reporting Officer as soon as such incidents occur but within 12 hours of occurrence.   
• Ensure that information, data requests, and feedback are made available to the ERM department in a timely manner for effective decision making on money laundering, terrorism, and proliferation financing risks, assessments, and reporting to the regulators.
• Ensure that staff have AML/CFT/CPF Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and disciplinary action is taken against those who violate AML/CFT/CPF policies and procedures
• Ensure that all relevant information has been provided and considered for decision-making for high-risk accounts and transactions, escalations from the Compliance Unit, and applying of exceptions to bank policy and procedures’ compliance.
• Ensure that there is adequate screening (Know Your Employee Program) procedures to ensure high standards when onboarding new staffs or promoting existing ones.
• Identify major risks affecting the Group/ Department/ Unit and ensure necessary steps are taken to measure, monitor, and control structure with control activities defined at each level and duties properly segregated
• Recommend revision of controls, where appropriate, to address new or previously uncontrolled risks
• Ensure screening of clients to avoid disbursing facilities to customers with ML/TF/PF links.
• Check for sources of funds on loan repayment and escalate any suspicious or undeclared source to Compliance Unit.
• Responsible for immediately alerting the MLRO on suspicious transactions or activities noted in customers’ accounts. Any inconsistent activities or transactions, any suspicious accounts, any attempted accounts or transactions, must be investigated and reported to the compliance function immediately, placing a clear basis of suspicion.
• Attend training and maintain knowledge of and comply with all bank policies and procedures including Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing laws, rules and regulations.
• Participate or undertake Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing bank programs on a regular basis e.g. taking attestations, self-assessment tests, filling in compliance questionnaires as required.
• Comply and not to knowingly participate or assist in any violation of Anti Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism/Countering Proliferation Financing laws, rules, regulations or internal policies, procedure and guidelines.
• Report suspected money laundering cases to their respective heads of units or to the Money Laundering Reporting Officer as soon as such incidents occur immediately with a clear basis of suspicion

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

• Review and approve credit facilities within the delegated credit limit.  
• Review and recommend credit applications to the MCC/Board & conduct a Risk based analysis by Reviewing of credit proposals received from business units to meet the bank standards for MCC and Board decision making.
• Ensure that all accounts are properly graded in the system and Ensuring the provisions are maintained at the prescribed level by minimizing the risk of loan loss or bad debts through prudent lending practices.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a bias in Finance and Accounting 
• Diploma in Banking and Finance (AKIB)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 17 years in banking
• Over 10 years in management

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• At least 5 years banking experience as a manager in Analysis, a detailed Knowledge of various functions of the Bank set up i.e. collections/ loan workouts for NPAs, Operations, Trade Finance, Treasury and Credit Operations (including Securities and Credit Administration).

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

• Diploma in Banking – AKIB
• Certified Public Accountant CPA Section 2