Relationship Officer

Role Overview

This role focuses on building a strong client base for lending products while ensuring that existing borrowers meet their repayment obligations. Day to day, you will evaluate prospective applicants, guide them through the borrowing process, and maintain proactive contact with clients to keep delinquency low. Your work directly supports the institution’s growth by balancing steady loan disbursement with disciplined collection follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and engage potential borrowers through referrals, networking, and community outreach to grow the loan portfolio.
• Conduct initial interviews and pre-screening of loan applicants to assess creditworthiness and repayment capacity.
• Prepare accurate loan documentation and present recommendations for approval within set credit policy guidelines.
• Monitor repayment behaviour and initiate timely follow-up calls, visits, or reminders on overdue accounts.
• Negotiate revised repayment plans with clients facing temporary financial hardship while protecting the institution’s interests.
• Deliver consistent, courteous service and respond to client enquiries about loan terms, balances, and payment options.
• Maintain complete and up-to-date records of client interactions, disbursements, collections, and repayment progress.
• Work with the broader team to meet monthly disbursement and recovery targets without compromising service quality.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related discipline.
• At least two years of practical experience as a loan officer, collection officer, or relationship officer in a financial services environment.
• Proven ability to guide clients through lending or collection processes with clarity and professionalism.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to explain terms, resolve concerns, and document interactions accurately.
• Solid negotiation skills to handle payment disputes and secure commitments from clients in a firm but fair manner.
• Customer-service orientation with the ability to remain patient and composed when dealing with difficult situations.
• Basic numeric literacy and familiarity with tracking loan schedules, balances, and repayment records.