Summary

The Head of Credit Underwriting in a bank is a senior role that carries significant responsibility for managing the credit risk associated with the bank’s loan portfolio. This role involves overseeing the credit underwriting process to ensure that loans and credit lines are extended to creditworthy borrowers and that the bank’s risk is managed effectively.

Responsibilities

• Create and periodically update the bank’s credit underwriting policies and procedures to align with regulatory requirements, market conditions, and the bank’s risk appetite.
• Ensure that all credit underwriting practices comply with internal policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the credit analysis associated with new and existing loan applications, ensuring a thorough evaluation of borrower creditworthiness.
• Oversee the review and approval process for high-value or high-risk loans, ensuring thorough analysis and sound decision-making.
• Present credit underwriting decisions and policies to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Implement strategies to mitigate credit risk, including setting appropriate lending limits, collateral requirements, and loan covenants.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the credit underwriting team, including setting performance goals, conducting performance reviews, and providing training.
• Work closely with other departments such as commercial, risk management, compliance, finance, and legal to align credit policies with overall bank strategy and market conditions.
• Regularly review the performance of the credit portfolio, analyzing trends and identifying potential issues or areas of concern, and present reports on credit risk and portfolio performance to senior management.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits of the credit underwriting function.
• Contribute to the development of the bank’s strategic plans, particularly to credit risk management and lending practices.
• Analyses market trends and economic conditions to inform strategic decisions and adjustments in credit policy.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve credit underwriting processes and systems to increase efficiency.
• Leverage underwriting software tools to streamline the credit evaluation process, to enhance efficiency.
• Ensuring all underwriting processes are conducted accurately and efficiently with a focus on onboarding and maintaining high quality asset portfolio.

Education and Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Banking, or Finance from a recognized University or a professional qualification in Banking or Credit.
• Credit Analysis certification/CPA /ACCA qualifications required.
• IFRS Proficiency

Requirements

• 10 years of banking working experience with at least 5 years at team lead level in Credit Sales, Credit analysis, and/ or Relationship Management roles.

Characteristics

• Credit Analysis Skills
• Financial Acumen
• Leadership and Management 
• Performance Management 
• Strategic Thinking 
• Decision-Making
• Regulatory Knowledge
• Data Analytical Skills 
• Communication Skills 
• Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills 
• Technological Proficiency 
• Project Management 
• Ethics and Integrity 
• Customer Focus