AVP & Lead, Credit Management, Retail & Consumer Goods

Role Overview

AVP & Lead, Credit Management, Retail & Consumer Goods at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to take credit ownership from underwriting to obtaining necessary approvals for the assigned portfolio of clients across the Retail & Consumer Goods (RCG) segment within Wholesale Banking. The role ensures all propositions are in compliance with Group Credit Policy and guidelines, and provides guidance and expertise across the full spectrum of product offerings while working with Coverage and Product teams and engaging with clients where necessary in structuring and propositions so that the twin objective of client needs and Bank requirements are met in a swift and expeditious manner.

Key Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management

• Actively participate in client relationships through client visits and conference calls as part of transaction origination and structuring.
• Conduct periodic meetings and conference calls with clients along with Relationship Managers for prospective and existing clients.
• Coordinate with Relationship Managers well in advance of due dates of annual reviews to obtain necessary information from the borrower to facilitate a comprehensive review of credit facilities.
• Liaise with respective Relationship Managers to rectify any margin call situations.

Credit Analysis & Underwriting

• Conduct and guide a team of analysts to conduct robust credit analysis and obtain appropriate approvals.
• Advise Relationship Managers on the risk factors associated with complex transactions and the clauses imperative in mitigating these.
• Prepare comprehensive credit papers clearly outlining key risks, mitigations, and recommendations for presentation to the Approving Authority for prospective and existing clients under assigned portfolio.
• Provide ongoing feedback and expert inputs into deal structure intermittently and as required based on Bank Risk Appetite for products, industry, sector, geography, and counterparty.
• Demonstrate strong credit underwriting, financial analysis, and deal structuring skills.

Compliance & Policy Guidance

• Ensure that appropriate Target Market Risk Acceptance Criteria and Credit Policy guidelines are followed as part of the approval process.
• Guide Coverage and Product teams on credit appetite and way and means to optimize the same to achieve optimal risk-reward balance as per established guidelines.
• Recommend amendments to the Bank's credit policy, procedures, Risk Rating models, credit memorandums, and risk criteria based on lending experience and market expediencies, ensuring alignment with overall Bank's risk strategy and policy.

Due Diligence & Risk Assessment

• Participate and represent credit in the due diligence process for prospective deals in collaboration with Coverage and Product teams and ensure that emerging risk factors are identified and suitably addressed with appropriate mitigants.
• Coordinate with internal counterparties (CAD, Legal, etc.) to provide guidance on risk assessment, risk rating, and documentation.
• Assess credit risk with a strong focus on underlying business fundamentals, cash flows, and sustainability of the business proposition.

Portfolio Monitoring & Control

• Monitor accounts regularly and follow up with Business units on terms and conditions to ensure compliance with approval conditions.
• Ensure all excesses, exceptions, overdue annual reviews, covenant deficiencies, current collateral valuations, and deficiencies in terms and conditions vis-à-vis the lending portfolio are monitored, controlled, and addressed.
• Oversee the mark-to-market revaluation and margin monitoring process and liaise with respective Relationship Managers to rectify any margin call situations.
• Review exception and portfolio reports as applicable and keep abreast of clients' account conduct, financial standing, and latest developments occurring in their respective segment and market so as to provide appropriate recommendations regarding change in risk appetite, ratings, and classification.
• Monitor early warning indicators in order to identify potential problem accounts and liaise with Business Units for ensuring suitable action plans are in place to rectify the situation at an early stage.
• Manage problem credits closely and recommend appropriate strategies and remedial action plans; identify defaulters and recommend immediate remedial arrangements for maintaining a quality credit portfolio.

Risk Systems & Data Management

• Obtain accurate and current information and update the Risk systems (Risk rating models, collateral management system, etc.) that allow for accurate identification of risk profiles and ratings in all asset categories.
• Ensure accuracy of data being presented to various stakeholders including senior management.
• Ensure asset classification and provisioning is in line with statutory and policy guidelines including any risk downgrades.

Service Delivery & Governance

• Ensure timely availability of required information to Head of Credit or Unit Head for credit decision making.
• Ensure credit processing and approval turnaround times as per agreed SLAs with Business Segment.
• Ensure satisfactory rating in audits through proactive actions and ensure all recommendations are implemented.

Advisory & Knowledge Sharing

• Provide senior level advisory support on credit policies, lending structures, documentation, and guidance to business heads and units in managing complex credit risks and providing practical solutions.
• Contribute to enhancement of knowledge and expertise of other team members by participating in training and development initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree (required).
• Desirable: Chartered Accountant, Masters in Business Administration (MBA), or any other relevant finance degree, professional certification charter (CFA/FRM, etc.), or diploma.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10 years relevant experience in the banking sector with at least 4–5 years in Corporate or Wholesale Credit function.
• Proven experience in Corporate Credit underwriting, preferably across Retail & Consumer Goods, TMT, and Real Estate portfolios.
• Strong track record of preparing committee-ready credit proposals for senior management and credit committees.
• Expert knowledge of trade, loan, and working capital products, with hands-on experience in syndicated and structured facilities, including RCF transactions.
• Solid understanding of Investment and Global Markets products.

Skills & Competencies

• Assess credit risk with a strong focus on underlying business fundamentals, cash flows, and sustainability of the business proposition.
• Demonstrate strong credit underwriting, financial analysis, and deal structuring skills.
• Understand legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Work effectively under pressure.
• Communicate clearly in written and spoken formats.