SME Credit Manager

Role Overview

This position sits within the Business Banking SME Credit Team, where you will be the credit specialist responsible for evaluating and structuring lending and derivative transactions for a portfolio of small and medium-sized enterprises. Your day-to-day work involves reviewing credit applications, deciding on approvals within a delegated authority of up to US$1.2 million, and collaborating with relationship managers to find workable and responsible ways to support new business. The role matters because your judgement directly shapes the quality of the bank's credit portfolio, balancing growth ambitions with sound risk management across multiple industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and sanction credit applications for SME clients, exercising sole lending discretion up to your accredited limit and recommending actions for larger or higher-risk exposures.
• Structure credit facilities and derivatives with appropriate covenants, pricing, and risk mitigants to support viable business while protecting the bank's capital.
• Monitor the performance of the assigned credit portfolio, identifying emerging risks early and initiating corrective actions when needed.
• Advise relationship teams and customers on risk-reward trade-offs, challenge pricing structures, and negotiate terms that balance returns and exposure.
• Contribute to the development of credit policies, lending processes, and portfolio control frameworks by sharing practical insights from your sanctioning experience.
• Ensure strict adherence to governance, compliance, and data integrity standards in every decision and documentation step.
• Coach and support more junior team members and business partners through post-transaction discussions, helping them build stronger credit and risk capabilities.
• Work collaboratively with country colleagues and other risk functions to deliver a seamless, client-focused credit service aligned with business objectives.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, preferably in accounting, finance, or a related discipline.
• At least five years of hands-on experience in credit sanctioning, with the ability to assess complex SME lending requests and defend decisions.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, combined with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.
• In-depth knowledge of technical lending analysis, risk management principles, and credit structuring techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present credit cases clearly and influence stakeholders.
• Proven negotiation skills and the confidence to challenge proposals or pricing where necessary.
• Leadership presence and the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, and internal risk teams.