Role Summary

The incumbent is responsible for Credit Operations functions; including Loans (Retail & Corporate), Credit Cards, and Trade Finance. The incumbent will manage the Credit Operations Department in such a manner as to protect the Group from undue credit risks; will supervise the team of processing officers within the approved parameters of the credit process; will also provide investigative, analytical, operational and administrative support. The incumbent is also responsible TAT to be by the agreed time to avoid any escalations. The incumbent will also leverage the available resources of the Department to streamline its plans, processes and strategies to be in consonance with the overall Group strategy.

Role Description

• Coordinate the communication, implementation and monitoring of all central operational policy and procedures for the various Group processes to ensure compliance with relevant requirements including compliance with TOM (Target Operating Model) and to facilitate consistency in processing and protect the Group from undue credit risks
• Ensure segregation of duties with respect to all activities performed by staff in the Credit Operations Department.
• Critically review and comment (if any) on all credit proposals revisions and related paper work.
• Achieve a balance between risk vs. reward by enforcing high credit analyses and administration standards, including but not limited to updated policies/ procedures and compliance with the same.
• Ensure adherence to the Group's policies and procedures by all reporting staff; check the work generated by other departments’ staff prior to sign off/approval on the corporate loan.
• Oversee and manage the review all credit documents, ensuring all necessary procedures/ calculations have been taken with regards loan draw-downs, rollovers, repayments, interest rate fixing, fees collection and payment scheduling, red flag any deficiencies for correction or rejection of corporate credit proposal.
• Ensure the existence of a second level of control over Credit documentation that must be safeguarded under dual control for the credit documentation and collaterals.
• Ensure that the customer information, collateral information is recorded in the systems.
• Ensure that all collateral are restricted and controlled, shrinkage in collateral value are properly identified and evaluated.
• Ensure periodic inspection of collateral is independently carried out.
• Ensure proper follow-up for syndicated loans managed by the Group or by third party to ensure loan booking compliance with loan terms, loan repayment/ interest are recorded in proper period and the Group’s financial records reflect the total value of loans outstanding together with their related accrued interest receivable.
• Control and authorize corporate loans by coordinating settlement and disbursement of loan.
• Manage the processing of any Import, Export Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Bills for collection.
• Manage the services of Trade Operations to ensure they are delivered in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner.
• Ensure the existence of adequate and robust processes and controls (automated/ manual) to ensure compliance with applicable anti-money laundering (AML) rules/ regulations relating to foreign trade transactions and with the International Chamber of Commerce rules for processing of import/ export documentary credits, letters of guarantee and bills for collection.
• Review, validate and approve foreign trade related transactions (as per the incumbent’s delegated powers) to ensure the underlying transactions and the LC/ LG terms have been properly understood, relevant documentary requirements have been fulfilled and that no onerous clauses exist in the documentation in order to protect the Group’s interests.
• Oversee the settlement, processing and reconciliation transactions pertaining to all card accounts.
• Manage the approval of all Card transactions according to defined limits and procedures so that financial loss to the Bank is avoided.
• Review all Card processing exceptions recommend further action.
• Review any suspicious transactions identified and ensure escalation where appropriate.
• Ensure regular updating in the system of various credit-related data to aid in decision-making.
• Supervise and ensure that all data input in the core banking system is updated and checked viz. daily reports.
• Maintain data accurately in the bank’s systems relating to credit facilities
• Oversee the inquiries on loan status and reply balance verification from vendors, accountants and auditors.
• Ensure reduction in processing errors by staff engaged in processing the related transactions through a combination of system controls, supervisory review and established/ approved procedures.
• Ensure continuous system and quality enhancements by monitoring the respective activities and processes implemented and by keeping abreast of new methodologies and practices in order to improve the performance of the personnel and ensure adherence to the turn-around times (TAT) mentioned in the SLAs and strive to better the same. 
• Control and authorize corporate loans by coordinating settlement and disbursement of loan.

Qualifications

• University graduate preferably with a Major in Banking, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or Information Technology (related field of study), Masters preferred 
• At least 7 years of relevant banking experience, preferably with special emphasis in loans processing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (including report writing) in English; with Arabic, French or applicable local language highly desirable
• Deep rooted understanding of banking operations, pertinent to a branch environment in particular.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing in English (and local language of the country).
• Computer proficient (MS Office and bank applications)
• Knowledge of the local/ Gulf environment is important
• Well-developed strategic perspective and forward planning ability.
• Knowledge of the relevant regulatory requirements and best practices relating to branch operations.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant KYC and other Anti-Money Laundering (AML) directives/ rules and regulations and best practices.
• Understands the relevant laws, regulations and practices pertaining to loan processing and trade operations.