Head Of Credit At Loma Bank

Position Overview:

• Loma Bank is seeking a seasoned, strategic, and results-driven Head of Credit and Risk Management to lead the end-to-end credit function. The role holder will oversee all aspects of credit risk management, loan origination, underwriting, disbursement, portfolio management, mobilization, and recovery across all loan products.
• This position is critical to maintaining a high-quality, performing loan portfolio while ensuring full compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)regulations, internal policies, and best practices. The ideal candidate will balance prudent risk management with business growth objectives, minimizing Non-Performing Loans (NPLs)and maximizing portfolio profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Policy Development

• Develop, implement, and continuously review the Bank's Credit Risk Management Framework, policies, procedures, and risk appetite in line with CBN Prudential Guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Define credit risk acceptance criteria, scoring models, approval limits, and delegation of authority matrix.
• Establish and monitor key risk metrics including Portfolio at Risk (PAR), NPL ratio, provisioning levels, concentration risk, and recovery rates.
• Provide strategic input to the Executive Management and Board on credit portfolio performance, risk trends, and growth opportunities.

Credit Underwriting & Approval

• Oversee the entire credit process: loan mobilization, application assessment, due diligence, financial analysis, collateral valuation, and credit approval.
• Lead high-value credit committees and ensure all credit decisions are based on robust risk assessment and sound judgment.
• Ensure effective Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and Credit Bureau checks are performed.

Loan Portfolio Management

• Manage the overall loan portfolio across all products (personal, SME, corporate, mortgage, etc.), ensuring diversification and quality.
• Monitor portfolio performance, identify early warning signals, and implement proactive remedial actions.
• Conduct regular stress testing, scenario analysis, and portfolio reviews.
• Maintain accurate loan accounting records, reconciliation, and reporting.

Disbursement, Monitoring & Recovery

• Oversee timely and accurate loan disbursement processes with strong internal controls.
• Design and implement effective collections and recovery strategies for delinquent accounts, including restructuring, legal recovery, and collateral realization.
• Minimize credit losses through efficient recovery processes and target high recovery rates on impaired assets.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, measure, monitor, and mitigate all forms of credit risk (default, concentration, counterparty, etc.).
• Ensure full compliance with CBN regulations, including Credit Risk Management System (CRMS)reporting and Global Standing Instruction (GSI)requirements.
• Liaise with internal audit, compliance, and external regulators on credit-related matters.
• Implement robust internal controls to prevent fraud and operational lapses in the credit process.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing credit and risk team.
• Drive capacity building through training on underwriting standards, risk analytics, and regulatory updates.
• Foster a strong risk culture across the Bank.

Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Prepare timely, accurate, and comprehensive credit risk reports for Executive Management, Board Risk Committee, and regulators.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Operations, Finance, and Technology teams to support loan product innovation and digital lending initiatives.
• Represent the credit function in internal and external stakeholder engagements.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Banking, Business Administration, or related field (Master's degree or professional certifications such as ACIB, CRMP, CFA, ACCA, ICAN preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in credit risk management, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role (Head of Credit or equivalent) within a commercial bank, microfinance bank, or fintech lending institution in Nigeria.
• Deep knowledge of CBN regulatory framework, Prudential Guidelines, and credit risk best practices.
• Proven track record of managing a sizable loan portfolio with low NPL ratios and strong recovery performance.
• Experience in digital lending,

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, financial modeling, and credit appraisal skills.
• Excellent leadership, decision-making, and people management abilities.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and ability to work under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, core banking systems, and loan management software.
• Strong understanding of macroeconomic trends and their impact on credit risk in Nigeria.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Results-oriented with a balance of risk control and commercial acumen.