Senior Manager Credit Risk Underwriting at Equity Bank Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

Senior Manager, Credit Risk Underwriting at Equity Bank Kenya Limited (EBKL) will serve as a point of contact between Business Origination and Credit Risk Underwriting Units. The purpose of the job is to enhance the quality of the loan portfolio within all lending units.

REPORTING

Reports to the Associate Director Credit Risk Underwriting

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY

Credit Risk Underwriting

• Procure approvals through preparation and presentation of Corporate credit proposals (Project Finance Facilities, Mortgages Facilities, Asset Finance Facilities, Trade Finance & Agri-based Facilities) to both the Executive Credit Committee (EXCO) and the Board Credit Committee (BCC).
• Ensure Facilities approved are within the Bank’s lending policies and procedures and where there are breaches of policy, there is adequate identification and mitigation
• Review approval papers such as Indicative Term Sheets and Letters of Offer.
• Review and structure requests for non-funded facilities (Letters of Credit & Guarantees) in liaison with the Trade Finance Department.
• Review requests for Treasury Limits in liaison with the Treasury Department.
• Support the Bank’s Debt Recovery Unit to ensure that requests relating to delinquent facilities e.g. interest stoppage, restructuring and refinancing, are processed in good time.
• Reviewing of offer letters for Facilities approved by the Corporate ExCo and Board Credit Committee and ensuring that the conditions of sanctions that binds the Borrower have been captured correctly.
• Work closely with the Legal Department and the Central Disbursement Team to ensure that timely due diligence and security perfection is done, and that all post-sanction conditions have been met prior to disbursement of facilities.
• Ensuring Turn-Around-Times (TATs) as per agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for assessment of Credit Applications referred to Credit Risk Underwriting section from Branches, Corporate Credit, Treasury/Trade Finance Departments and Subsidiaries (Bank and Non-Bank).
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments that impact risk and lending processes and ensure the Bank is in compliance with local and international (where applicable) regulatory requirements.
• Monitor local, national and international economic and/or political indicators as they affect lending decisions/processes.
• Research and obtain sufficient and appropriate information for evaluating business risk
• Maintain financial information on loan accounts including financial covenants, spreads and interim reports.

Ensuring compliance with Bank Loan policies

• Ensuring implementation of effective controls over the credit process to ensure a robust control environment.
• Ensure policy breaches/ exemptions are properly authorized at the correct level.
• Proactively review credit facilities/risks and advise Associate Director Credit Risk Underwriting on the findings
• Proactively improve the Bank’s credit portfolio through continuous and never ending improvement.

Customer Service

• Work with other units to ensure good customer service while maintaining appropriate risk Management culture in the Bank.
• Provide technical advice or other assistance to all stakeholders in the Bank as needed.

Skills required to undertake the role

• Credit Management and monitoring skills
• High level of negotiation skills to be able deal with different stakeholders.
• Financial analysis skills and understanding of the Credit Policy and lending Policies
• Presentation skills & interpersonal skills
• High level of analytical skills
• Ability to handle pressure, conflicting priorities and manage constant changes.
• Ability to handle and manage complex credit transactions and offer solutions to the Bank
• Ability to manage/balance between business development needs with sound portfolio management and justify rationale for recommended transactions
• Knowledge of the Banking products, services, policies and or any other specialist knowledge required to undertake the role.
• An in-depth knowledge of the bank’s products relating to all credit products
• Excellent understanding of local lending framework
• A good knowledge of CBK’s prudential guidelines as pertains to lending.
• Excellent knowledge of general banking procedures and policies as well as regulations.
• In-depth understanding of business environment and financial markets
• A good knowledge of the Banking operating procedures and approval process
• A general knowledge and awareness of the current business trends and practices
• A general knowledge of the Bank’s vision and focus especially in relation to Business development and Management of risks

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in business, finance or accounting. Master’s Degree, Professional Banking or Accountancy not limited to AKIB/ACIB CPA, ACCA or CFA will be an added advantage
• At least 15 years of Credit experience of which 5 must be at credit risk analysis
• High data rationality, detail consciousness with high analytical and numerical skills
• Ability to interpret financial and legal documents.
• Good computer skills

Closing: 26 Sept 2022