Credit Manager Commercial and Agric (Mpumalanga & KZN) at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• The purpose of the role as a Commercial Credit Manager, is to manage the credit function for specific portfolios within Commercial, Agriculture, Commercial Asset Finance (CAF) and Commercial Property Finance (CPF) within the Growth, Premium and High Value segments of Relationship Banking, with specific focus on the lending activities relating to a specific region.
• In this role, the incumbent is accountable for the implementation of credit risk management and risk appetite strategies, tailored to the specific portfolios, by conducting quality credit assessments and providing responsible risk decisions.
• The role is also required to evaluate credit risk performance, while monitoring and analysing portfolio performance to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and make recommendations to make risk adjustments where necessary.
• The incumbent is also expected to foster relationships with relevant stakeholders and ensure compliance with regulatory and internal directives and policies.

Job Description

Credit Sanctioning 

• Perform quality credit sanctioning within the Operational Level Agreement (OLA), being cognizant of risks, being solutions-driven, and considering compliance requirements.
• Assist stakeholders with growth by assessing, structuring, and solutions to client needs, ensuring adherence and compliance with credit policies, processes, terms, and conditions.
• This includes evaluation and structuring of new opportunities, initial credit due diligence, and preparing recommendations to the credit committee as well as ongoing monitoring.
• Evaluate a company’s stability, the adeptness of the management team, and creditworthiness by analyzing relevant documents including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, financial projections, etc. Validates any assumptions, projects, and overall borrower viability and ability to repay the credit request.
• Understanding of legal agreements of transactions and related transaction documentation.
• Conduct a full assessment of the risks and potential mitigating factors impacting on a client. 
• Perform robust financial and non-financial analysis on the client that supports the review of facilities or new funding proposals. 
• Make use of clients' historical data, for example, financial statements to forecast the clients’ potential growth and sustainability. 
• Conduct a sensitivity/scenario analysis to determine the impact that a change in, for example, the economy, political situation, and consumer demand, will have on the client’s financial health. 
• Based on the analysis conducted structure a lending solution for the client, that will account for the potential threats to the client and that is within set credit limits and the Bank's credit lending policies and appetite.

Industry Knowledge

• Demonstrate and display understanding and experience in the finance of various sectors.
• Understand the industry’s overall profitability, industry trends, and the client's market standing relative to its competitors.

Portfolio and Risk Management

• Manage a portfolio of commercial lending products, including monitoring performance and identifying potential issues.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews and provide recommendations for risk mitigation strategies. 
• Monitor market trends and economic indicators to assess potential impacts on the loan portfolio.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal teams, including Risk, Coverage, legal and Compliance to ensure alignment with credit policies and regulatory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders understanding their needs and providing proactive credit solutions.
• Provide guidance and support to team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Risk Control and Governance

• Apply the highest standards of controls and risk management practices and behaviours and embed a positive risk and control culture.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and reporting through adherence to policies, procedures and regulations.
• Support risk assessments and audits, contributing to the identification and mitigation of potential risks.

Credit data and systems management 

• To analyse and action relevant management information and manage exposures including the maintenance of relevant systems.
• Drive RWA efficiencies by ensuring that the data in terms of Default Grades (DG's), Loss Given Defaults (LGDs), limits, and review dates are correctly captured on the Bank's credit systems and adequately supported by the credit systems.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with special projects or other duties as needed and deemed necessary.
• Demonstrate an understanding of credit and risk assessment tools, risk measurement, and rating methodologies, including their underlying assumptions and potential weaknesses. 
• Demonstrate resilience and ability to work in a competitive and highly pressurized work environment to ensure that deadlines are met. 
• Provide ad hoc training and coaching to junior credit or new staff members through the provision of relevant materials, explanations, and/or presentations.

Education and experience required.

• Desired Graduate Degree (NQF level no.7+) with majors in Accounting, Financial Management or Risk
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a similar environment
• Knowledge and understanding of credit and investment risks in the financing of transactions or projects. 
• Portfolio management experience would be advantageous.

Organisational Requirements

• Ability to work in a high pressured and fast paced environment.
• Clear credit profile
• No criminal record

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)