Credit Officer (Financial Services Company/Fintech) at Stresert Services Limited

REF NO: COFT-25

Job Grade: Assistant Manager Cadre

Reporting Line: Reports directly to the Credit Team Lead

Role Overview

• The Credit Officer is responsible for generating, appraising, and managing credit transactions within the assigned portfolio segment under the supervision of the Credit Team Lead.
• The role focuses on business generation, credit structuring, risk evaluation, and relationship management, ensuring that all transactions conform to the Finance Company Limited’s risk appetite, compliance standards, and business objectives.
• Credit Officers will serve as the operational front line of the Company’s loan generation and client engagement efforts, directly driving revenue through quality onboarding, disciplined credit evaluation, and sustained client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Client Acquisition

• Identify and engage viable clients within assigned sectors (Retail, SME, Corporate, or Value Chain).
• Generate loan opportunities and structured financing requests that align with departmental and company objectives.
• Maintain direct contact with prospective and existing clients to deepen relationships and expand business volumes.
• Participate in field marketing campaigns, trade visits, and product activations coordinated by the Credit and Marketing Department.
• Provide business referrals for investment placements and deposit mobilization to the Treasury and Financial Services Department.

Credit Structuring and Appraisal

• Conduct detailed credit appraisals of prospective clients, including cash flow analysis, collateral evaluation, and repayment capacity assessment.
• Prepare qualitative and well-documented Credit Appraisal Memoranda (CAM) and other supporting documentation for internal review and approval.
• Ensure all submissions adhere to internal credit policy, regulatory guidelines, and compliance requirements.
• Recommend appropriate credit structures, tenors, and risk mitigants that align with client needs and company objectives.
• Liaise with the Risk Management and Legal departments for collateral validation, insurance documentation, and loan perfection.

Portfolio Management and Recovery Oversight

• Monitor approved facilities for performance, ensuring adherence to repayment schedules and covenant terms.
• Provide early-warning signals for delinquent accounts and initiate prompt follow-up actions.
• Participate in recovery drives and client engagement sessions to minimize portfolio at risk (PAR) and ensure healthy asset quality.
• Maintain accurate client records, collateral registers, and repayment tracking reports.

Reporting, Compliance, and Documentation

• Maintain comprehensive loan files for all clients under supervision.
• Submit periodic reports on pipeline deals, approved loans, and portfolio performance to the Team Lead.
• Ensure strict compliance with internal processes, regulatory KYC standards, and documentation protocols.
• Support internal and external audit reviews by ensuring timely retrieval and submission of requested files or reports.

Collaboration and Professional Conduct

• Work closely with other departments (Treasury, Risk Management, Operations, and Finance) to ensure seamless transaction flow.
• Uphold professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality in all dealings with clients and colleagues.
• Maintain a high standard of ethics and accountability consistent with the company\'s corporate values.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, trainings, and performance review sessions coordinated by the Team Lead or Head of Department.
• Key Performance Indicators (Qualitative) and Performance Area Qualitative Expectation
• Business Generation: Consistent loan origination and onboarding of viable clients within the assigned market segment.
• Credit Quality: High-quality submissions with low rejection rates and minimal documentation errors.
• Portfolio Performance: Maintenance of good performing loan accounts and minimal delinquency.
• Client Retention: Sustained engagement with clients resulting in repeat business and referrals.
• Compliance and Process Adherence: Full adherence to internal credit policies, documentation standards, and KYC requirements.
• Reporting Accuracy: Timely submission of credit reports, pipeline updates, and performance summaries.
• Team Collaboration: Active coordination with Team Lead and other functional units to achieve departmental goals.
• Professional Conduct Demonstrated integrity, discipline, and decorum in client interactions and internal communications.

Professional Expectations

• Exhibit initiative, proactiveness, and commercial acumen in identifying busines opportunities.
• Display sound credit judgment and the ability to structure transactions that balance risk and reward.
• Be dependable, goal-oriented, and responsive to internal communication and supervision.
• Represent the company professionally in all business engagements and market activities.