Job Purpose
To process / scrutinise credit applications (CAs) and other credit related requests pertaining to lending proposals for the Bank’s customers (from commercial to corporate and financial institutions) received from Business Units by reviewing various associated credit risks. Thereafter to approve credits within delegated credit approval discretion, or make suitable recommendations thereon for consideration of the appropriate approval authorities to ensure booking of profitable risk assets. In addition to ensure effective monitoring and review and initiate necessary remedial action wherever deemed necessary with a view to enhance / improve the overall risk quality of the Bank’s advances portfolio and minimise losses.
Key Accountabilities
• Credit Review: In-depth analysis of credit proposals based on financial and non-financial parameters. Client calls, if necessary, to be made to add value to process. This function also includes review of individual daily transaction forwarded by unit via TT/e-mails. To be turnaround within the time as set within the SLA.
• Credit Rating: Each credit to be graded independently based on assessment of parameters laid down within the Bank’s credit grading system. Ensure upgrading and downgrading exercise is conducted on an on-going basis in order to have a realistic measure of overall portfolio mix at any given point in time.
• Credit Processing: Raise queries with Business Units regarding the CAs and follow up with them for speedy response in order to ensure that the proposals are processed in an expeditious manner within the stipulated time-frame as per the Bank’s standard service level agreement guidelines / benchmark parameters.
• Credit Support: Provide appropriate guidelines to the Relationship Managers and other staff members to ensure that the proposals are structured / tailored in line with the Bank’s prevailing credit policy and credit risk appetite and is also in compliance with the guidelines of the UAE Central Bank.
• Credit Recommendation: Where credit approval decisions are in excess of delegated financial powers, credit proposal is escalated to the appropriate higher credit authority as required, with recommendation for supporting / not recommending the proposal. Same process is applicable to daily TT/e-mail transactions initiated by the Business Units covering cash payments, clearing transactions and trade finance transactions.
• Credit Approval: Within discretionary powers, wherever applicable, approve credits + transactions on merit and with responsibility. Each credit decision (both approval and declines) to carry a formal noting along with justification / reasons / basis. Process Extracts of the CCC meetings covering proposals that have been cleared by the CCC, requiring approval of the Executive Committee and / or the Board of Directors for proposals that have been cleared by the Central Credit Committee. Discretionary authority for approvals within own discretion jointly with SMC up to AED 15m.
Other Accountabilities
• Credit Control and Monitoring:
- Daily review of the Overdraft Excess Report and the Overdraft Without Limit Report and other regular monitoring reports that are required from time to time.
- Routinely review accounts for past dues, excessive EOL occurrences, high return cheques in account, and then proactively work out remedial measures with unit & customer. Escalate credit to Manager in case the situation warrants. In case of significantly deteriorated credits – maintain liaison with the Bank’s recovery/legal department to assist in recovery efforts.
- Propose changes to existing forms and design new forms for use by the Department and / or marketing Units with a view to improve processes
- Visit clients jointly with the marketing Units for better understanding of their business
- Propose changes to policy and procedural manuals to fit the changing environment and to ensure proactively that the Bank remains ahead of the game. This may involve the drafting of circulars to improve communication on credit related matters / issues.
- Conduct credit workshops with a view to provide training to Credit Dept staff, Credit Analysts and Relationship Officers.
- Seek legal opinion from our legal advisors / lawyers wherever deemed necessary in co-ordination with Remedial Unit.
- Recommend changes to the approval mechanism and / or credit policy / procedure, wherever deemed necessary, with a view to expedite the approval process and ensure fast turn around.
- Complete tasks / projects assigned by the SMC / HOC from time to time.
- Maintain a close watch on customers where the limit renewal is late in being submitted and for customers where limits have been agreed but are pending activation. Covenant adherence based on semi-annual / annual accounts forwarded by unit to be monitored in conjunction with Business Unit. Any condition required to be fulfilled post-approval to be diarised and followed-up as appropriate.
- Ensure that Limit Advices covering the approved facilities are issued accurately in a timely manner
- Follow up with Business Units for timely submission of CAs, perfection of charge documentation covering facilities that have already been approved but limits are pending activation by DU.
- Carry out periodic portfolio reviews to ensure a health and safety-check on the portfolio under job holders control.
Other Accountabilities
Job Context
Education
Experience and Skills
Professional qualifications
Certified Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London or equivalent
Work Experience
At least 6 to 9 years of all-round Banking experience including exposure to Credit, Operations and Trade Finance areas. Core experience of at least 3 to 6 years in Credit Dept is essential out of which preferably at least 2 years in one of the leading UAE / GCC based Banks. Exposure to marketing area will be an added advantage.