Credit Risk Sanctioner, Hong Kong recruitment

Our ability to give world-class service and insight is a direct result of the quality of people who make up our Asia teams. A career at Coutts rewards and stimulates exceptional individuals to become the very best they can be.

We partner exceptional people; we need exceptional people.

At Coutts Asia, the management of risk is a fundamental management activity performed throughout all the firm’s operating units. As such it underpins our firm’s reputation, performance and success. It is therefore critically important that the adequacy and effectiveness of our risk management processes are of the highest standard and subject to continuous review and enhancement. Wealth Risk Asia is a unit that is charged with maintaining an adequate second line, being a trusted partner to the client-facing staff, and ensuring effectiveness of governance and oversight.

Wealth Risk Asia is looking for an outstanding applicant to become our Credit Risk Sanctioner, Hong Kong. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Credit Risk, Asia.

Purpose of the Role

• Support the strategic plans of Coutts Asia businesses; this position is responsible for sanctioning Lombard Credit lending proposals within delegated authority at Coutts, Hong Kong to ensure that our Credit offering is within policies and processes set, competitive and consistent with Management’s risk appetite.

• Provide specialist knowledge to client-facing teams on Credit Risk matters to ensure a culture of risk compliance and partnership.

• Ensure that all Lombard Credit business is conducted in a manner that is consistent with the RBS Group’s, Wealth Division’s, and / or Coutts’ policies and standards, and in compliance with all regulations and laws of the jurisdictions of the Asian operations, as well as regulations to which the parent institutions are subject.

• Support the Head of Credit Risk Asia, CRO Asia and Divisional Head of Credit Risk in ensuring that key stakeholders and senior management are keenly aware of key Credit Risk matters, and assist in undertaking adequate mitigating actions towards effective risk management.

Core Responsibilities

• Ensure that all borrowing applications are assessed in accordance with Credit Risk policies, or procedures, in order to achieve an appropriate balance between prudent business growth and risk management thereby maintaining a high level of quality for Lombard credit facilities booked at Coutts, Hong Kong.

• Endeavour that credit proposal applications meet reasonable expectations on turnaround times.

• Sanction lending proposals within delegated authority.

• To take a prominent role in the interface between Credit and the front line, pro-actively working with private banking teams in structuring credit proposals

• Review and action excess management of the credit portfolio in line with laid down procedures.

• Carry out pro-active review and surveillance of credit portfolio to ensure that any deterioration is quickly recognised and acted upon.

• Prepare and/or overview detailed credit recommendations for approval by Head of Credit or CRO, Asia or other higher level delegated authorities.

• Assist with the efficient day to day running of Credit Risk function

• Provide training, and guidance to Credit Solutions staff and Private Banking teams to ensure continuing development of a consistent and quality focused credit risk management culture.

• Assist with the management of the delivery of a professional and cost-effective Credit Risk service to the business.

• Build effective working partnerships with front-line, second-line and other support function staff to help in achieving business growth targets without compromising credit quality.

• Along with the Head of Credit assume direct responsibility for credit facilities to Wealth Management clients of Coutts, Asia and lending transactions.

• Assist in establishing and maintaining Asia specific credit policy, consistent with RBS Group/Wealth Division and Coutts Asia credit appetite.

Skills Experience

• 5+ years experience as a Credit Risk professional in a private bank or financial services environment

• Knowledge and understanding of private banking credit, policies, processes and procedures.

• Ability to prepare accurate and focused written reports

• Strong analytical and technical skills with an ability to apply these in a practical and balanced manner

• Working knowledge of relevant regulatory environment and banking laws within jurisdictions we operate

• Good knowledge of IT systems and high level of general IT skills

• Ability to act proactively to ensure Credit risk management is up-to-date and meets the needs of a dynamic market environment, and ability to act decisively in deteriorating market conditions

• Good verbal and written communications skills.

• Ability to identify and analyse problems and provide solutions

• Ability to work as part of a small, highly motivated credit risk team combined with strong interpersonal skills

• High ethical standards

We offer an excellent total compensation package, learning and development opportunities and a flexible benefit programme designed to help you manage and balance your own work-life priorities.