Director Credit Department (Structured Products)

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Main job responsibilities:

1. Review and assess new loan applications submitted by front office business teams (“FO”) and (depending approving authority matrix) either decide/ approve on the relevant applications or make recommendations to credit approver and address queries and/or comments/ concerns from credit approver.

            Note: scope of review and assessment includes (but is not limited to) terms and conditions as well as deal structures.

1. Review and manage a credit portfolio, including review and assess credit monitoring applications submitted by credit portfolio management team in FO (“CPM”) and (depending approving authority matrix) either decide/ approve on the relevant applications or make recommendations to credit approver and address queries and/or comments/ concerns from credit approver.
2. Closely monitor and proactively manage (alongside FO) non-performing loans and credit costs.
3. Review, analyse and comment on financial statements as well as financial projections submitted by FO or CPM (as the case may be).

Job scope (inclusive of the following, i.e. non-exhaustive):

1. Support the achievement of Credit Department goals; these include timely assessment, processing and handling (approval or otherwise) of applications submitted by FO, control of credit costs (includes forecasting and assisting relevant Credit Department’s person in charge with credit costs budgeting) and making robust/ sound credit decisions/ recommendations
2. Prepare concise summary paper comprising credit comments (including credit risks and mitigants), recommendations and conclusions.
3. Be aware of (i) relevant markets and industries, and alive to market and/or business risks, and (ii) common terms and conditions as well as deal structures in APAC, in order to be an effective 2nd line of defence.
4. Provide comments on terms and conditions as well as deal structures on new loan applications to FO; lead/ participate in discussions with FO on the same.
5. Engage FO and/or CPM (as the case may be) in Q&A on content of applications (to be) submitted and/or financial statements as well as financial projections; lead/ participate in discussions with FO and/or CPM (as the case may be) on the same.
6. Where necessary and/or appropriate provide guidance to FO or CPM (as the case may be) re (i) content of applications, including how to assess and mitigate credit risks, and (ii) restructuring/ work-out, including terms and conditions, while at all times recognising and respecting the difference in responsibilities between 1st and 2nd lines of defence.
7. Check correctness and accuracy of details registered by FO or CPM (as the case may be) on the online credit approval/ monitoring system and instruct FO or CPM (as the case may be) to amend/ rectify/ re-submit.
8. Monitor credit quality of assigned portfolio and manage risks, including identify any concentration risks, special/ non-performing credit/ obligors and report issues to Credit Department management in a timely manner.
9. Work/ liaise with other departments – e.g. risk management department on managing risks and credit and investment planning department re improvement to/ clarification re interpretation of credit policies as well as amendment of risk appetite frameworks etc.  

         Note: very occasional travel may be required.

Must-have requirements:

• At least 10 years’ experience within either FO or credit department of a financial institution, or a credit risk role.
• Experience in one of the following products: leveraged/ LBO financing or non-recourse fund NAV financing.

             Note: experience in leveraged/ LBO financing will be viewed highly favourably.

• Good understanding of legal documentation and deal structures.
• Strong analytical skills – includes ability to (i) review and analyse financial statements, (ii) review and constructively question the reasonability of projections and/or assumptions, and (iii) appropriately assess credit risks.
• Tertiary degree/ qualification in a related field, e.g. degree in finance, accounting, business, or economics.

             Note: certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst and Bloomberg experience will be helpful.

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Team player with maturity and willingness to support team members as required, as well as strong stakeholder management, communication (verbal and written) and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently as required and multi-task, adapt and manage tight deadlines in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Confident self-starter with keenness to learn and attention to details.

Note: selected candidates will be required to undergo competency tests.