Business & Commercial Banking (BCB) Risk Graduate Programme Structured Lending

Standard Bank Group is a leading Africa-focused financial services group, and an innovative player on the global stage, that offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities – plus the chance to work alongside some of the sector’s most talented, motivated professionals. Our clients range from individuals, to businesses of all sizes, high net worth families and large multinational corporates and institutions. We’re passionate about creating growth in Africa. Bringing true, meaningful value to our clients and the communities we serve and creating a real sense of purpose for you.

We’re looking for talented individuals to join our Structured Lending division as Graduate Trainees.

The aim of our 18-month graduate programme is to equip you with skills and experiences deemed necessary to set you up for becoming a skilled Risk Practitioner within the Business & Commercial Banking segment of Standard Bank, with guidance and support from Senior Executives & Managers who run the Risk Management portfolios.

Through a series of rotations, you will learn how risk is managed in the bank and gain extensive experience in a wide range of Lending areas within the Business & Commercial Banking business unit across South Africa and the African Continent. These areas include: -

• Lending portfolios
  • Commercial Asset Finance,
  • Business Lending,
  • Centralised Lending,
  • Collections,
  • Fleet & Wholesale Finance
  • Collateral

On this Grad program we will build an understanding of the Structured Lending Lifecycle:

• Gain comprehensive insights into each stage of the credit risk process and its impact on business operations.
• Develop an understanding of the credit evaluation team in support of the Commercial Segment’s (“the Segments”) asset growth targets.
• Supports business partners and ecosystem methodology in understanding and meeting client lending needs, ultimately supporting the Universal Financial Services Organisation aspiration.
• Perform Quantitative Analytics: Analyse data to evaluate current strategies and develop innovative challenger strategies to enhance Business and Commercial Banking portfolios.

These insights will inform decision making and customer centric strategies.

Why join Standard Bank?

• Comprehensive Training – Receive in depth training from industry experts to build a solid foundation in credit risk.
• Professional Development – Access mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to support your growth.
• Real-World Projects – Work on projects that have a tangible impact, helping you apply your knowledge and skills.
• Career Pathways – Our program opens doors to a rewarding career at Standard Bank.

Take the next step in your career journey with us and be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

During this 18-month programme you can look forward to:

• Understand the Credit evaluations process: Ensures that credit evaluation processes and good quality of decisions are executed effectively in the credit team, within the parameters of the relevant individual product policies and/or multiple product policy. Partner to develops relevant lending strategies to proactively manage the bank’s credit risk.

• Understand the Credit Risk Lifecycle: Collaborate with the Credit Risk Management team and assist them to effectively prepare agreements, manage fulfilment of pre-conditions for drawdown of loans, release limits and manage post and ongoing conditions of sanctions.

• Operations processes: Review that there are detailed standard operating procedures and service level agreements in place, which align to compliance with credit policies / legislation.

• Project management: Participates in projects and any ad-hoc functions, including training of staff and support of Customer Journeys.

• Stakeholder management: Networks and builds strong mutual relationships within the BCB Lending Credit Team and with business partners and stakeholders.

• Client Engagement: Supports business to understand clients and whether lending opportunities fall within risk appetite.

Application closing date: 30 June 2025

Masters or Honours in:

BCom Accounting or SAICA endorsed Accounting Degree

Honours qualification to be completed by 31 December 2025

Minimum requirements:

• South African Citizen
• Should you have work experience, it should not exceed 18 months 
• Full academic transcripts to be submitted with application for undergraduate and postgraduate studies