Senior Financial Institutions Credit Analyst

Bank ABC seeks to recruit a Senior Financial Institutions Credit Analyst in the Head Office Credit Department based in our Head Office, in Bahrain.

The job holder will be responsible to:

• Review/ analyze credit applications submitted by RMs/product specialists/Business Units Coverage, and support Credit Committees/BRC in decision making by providing independent credit opinion/analysis to the Committees.
• Act as the second line of defense providing timely and effective credit reviews of credit applications related to Financial Institutions and Sovereigns credit risk underwriting proposals. This includes limits, credit products, assessing the creditworthiness of the existing and potential obligors, internal obligor risk ratings

Responsibilities of the role:

Reporting to the Group Chief Credit Officer, the job holder will:

Credit Analysis & Credit Review:

• Review/ analyze credit applications submitted by RMs/product specialists/Business Units Coverage, and support Credit Committees/BRC in decision making by providing independent credit opinion/analysis to the Committees.
• Act as the second line of defense providing timely and effective credit reviews of credit applications related to Financial Institutions and Sovereigns credit risk underwriting proposals. This includes limits, credit products, assessing the creditworthiness of the existing and potential obligors, internal obligor risk ratings.
• Conducting counterparty fundamental credit risk analysis and credit review assessment of the creditworthiness of the Sovereign and Financial Institution clients (Banks, Sovereigns, Non-Banking Financial Institutions, Supranationals, MDBs including assessment and financial analysis e.g., using the CAMELS format). The main purpose is to minimize credit losses/potential future ECLs, in addition to proposing internal obligor risk rating that meets the internal ABC criteria
• Review, check and assign the appropriate risk rating to each counterparty obligor in ABC Group portfolio to reflect the true and fair condition of the credit risk profile before presenting to Credit Committee/BRC.
• Identify red flags and early warning signs of immediate &/or developing risks based on the credit analysis, industry and country risks. Take proactive action in coordinating with the RMs/product specialists/Business Units Coverage in order to initiate preventive/corrective measures for regularizing the accounts, and avoiding any potential downgrade/default/losses.
• Supporting credit committees/BRC in the evaluation, communications, and comprehension of credit applications (new deals, renewals, recaps, annual reviews, waivers etc.) via providing risk assessment and identifying material key risk issues and any other required information to the credit committee members/BRC for credit decision making; while addressing Credit Committee/BRC concerns as and when requested.
• Assess potential credit risk transactions: providing an independent and forward-looking objective credit assessment, opinions, and recommendation on the credit quality of proposed counterparties obligors, recognition, and mitigation of credit risks, and raise any potential concerns to the relevant Committee.
• Initiate, prepare and present executive presentations on any specific or general subjects related to FIs and Sovereigns that would instigate Credit Committee discussion in the periodic Committee meetings as and when requested.
• Ensure consistent application of and adherence to/compliance with the relevant credit policies/standards/procedures as required

Portfolio Management:

• Analyze the ABC Group FI portfolio at least on annual basis.
• Active credit quality monitoring and update of the analysis of counterparties and existing risk ratings, especially during the regular annual reviews.
• Actively and promptly coordinating with external Credit Rating Agencies to acquire recent and latest updates on counterparties and portfolio reporting.
• Evaluate and monitor ABC Group portfolio of Sovereigns and FIs, including industry and country reports and make recommendations through reviewing the Bulk Reviews of the FIs.
• Maintaining appropriate risk disciplines and unified standards specific to ABC Group FIs and Sovereigns credit portfolio.
• Effectively manage and monitor the credit risks inherent in the ABC Group FIs and Sovereign portfolio.
• Escalate any material credit related issues or deteriorating conditions in the portfolio to be cascaded to the relevant stakeholders as and when required.
• Perform other credit monitoring and reporting responsibilities, such as monitoring triggers and covenants, and performing stress tests etc.
• Highly efficient and effective response to ad-hoc credit requests and performing stress test with high accuracy as and when requested.
• Maintain consistency, control and be fully aware of any developments in the FI Sector including regulatory developments, country events in geographies under your responsibility and current affairs.
• Coordinate with the FI Team in corresponding to the Central Bank of Bahrain “CBB” on any information requested

IFRS9 Credit Related Support:

• Identifying material events of Significant Increase in Credit Risk triggering Stage 2 classification.
• Supporting Credit Risk Management in assessments and discussions related to credit risk rating migration and exposure classifications under Stage 1 / Stage 2 / Stage 3 as per IFRS 9 standard.
• Reviewing and recommending confirmation or overrides for Stage 2 names.
• Assist in the completion of the IFRS9 tasks/projects

Areas of Knowledge, Qualification and Experience

• Experience in credit review and credit risk management related functions, preferably having experience in FI Credit
• Minimum of a Bachelors degree. A postgraduate MSc/MBA degree &/or professional qualification is a plus/preferred and an added advantage
• Knowledge of accounting principles, financial statement analysis, banking products and services with strong credit analytical skills.
• Good understanding and familiarity of the Bank/FI market, credit products.
• An understanding of the Bank’s lending policies, procedures, and practices.
• Should possess good analytical skills and awareness of various financial products / services.
• Should have good analytical skills to analyze Banking Industry and analyze individual bank’s capital, asset quality, profitability, and liquidity.
• Participate in the development of credit / risk management policies, standards, procedures, and processes