General Manager – Head of Credit Risk Underwriting at Equity Bank Kenya February, 2024

Purpose:

General Manager, Credit Risk Underwriting at Equity Group Holdings (EGH) will serve as a point of contact between EGH Subsidiaries’ Business Origination and Group Credit Risk Underwriting Units. The purpose of the job is to enhance the quality of the loan portfolio within all lending units. The holder of the position will also be actively involved in both internal and external syndications with subsidiaries as well as supporting complex and specialized lending across the Group.

Responsibility:

Credit Risk Underwriting

• Procure support through reviewing and presentation of complex and specialized credit proposals (Syndications, Project Finance Facilities, etc) to Group Office Credit Advisory Committee (GOCAC) for respective subsidiaries Board Credit Committee (BCC) approvals.
• Ensure Facilities supported are within the Group’s lending framework 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.
• Support the Group’s Debt Recovery Unit (Group Special Assets) to ensure that requests relating to delinquent facilities e.g. interest stoppage, restructuring and refinancing, are processed in good time.
• Ensuring Turn-Around-Times (TATs) as per agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for assessment of Credit Applications referred to Group Credit Risk Underwriting section from Subsidiaries (Bank and Non-Bank).
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments that impact risk and lending processes and ensure the Group 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 Group Lending Framework and 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 Group Head Credit Risk Underwriting on the findings.
• Proactively improve the Group’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 Group.
• Provide Credit Risk technical advice or other assistance to all stakeholders in the Group as needed

Requirements

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 Group.
• Ability to manage/balance between business development needs with sound portfolio management and justify rationale for recommended transaction.

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 regional and/or global lending framework with particular emphasis on presence countries.
• 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 with more focus on presence countries.
• 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 Group’s vision and focus especially in relation to Business development and Management of risks.

Qualification:

• Master’s degree and bachelor’s degree preferably in STEM, business, finance or accounting. 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.