Credit Analyst Isando

SUMMARY:
Credit Analyst
Isando

Position Purpose
The Senior Credit Risk Analyst is responsible for conducting independent and comprehensive credit assessments commercial vehicle financing customers. The position is responsible for assessing the creditworthiness, repayment capacity and overall risk profile of financing applicants; recommending appropriate credit limits, financing terms and risk mitigation measures; monitoring the existing credit portfolio; and supporting the development of a robust credit risk management framework.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities 1. Credit Assessment and Underwriting Conduct independent credit assessments of corporate customers, fleet operators, dealers, distributors and other financing applicants. Review the applicant's legal status, ownership structure, ultimate beneficial ownership, business model, operating history, management capability and financing purpose. Assess the customer's ability and willingness to meet its financial obligations. Evaluate both quantitative and qualitative credit risk factors. Provide clear recommendations to approve, conditionally approve, decline or restructure credit applications. Ensure that all credit decisions are supported by sufficient evidence and properly documented. 2. Financial Analysis Analyse audited annual financial statements, management accounts, cash flow forecasts, budgets, bank statements and other financial information. Perform detailed financial ratio analysis, including: Liquidity; Leverage and gearing; Profitability; Working capital; Interest coverage; Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR); Cash conversion cycle; and Operating and free cash flow. Identify unusual accounting movements, deterioration in financial performance and potential financial reporting concerns. Conduct sensitivity and stress-testing analysis where appropriate. Assess the sustainability and reliability of the customer's primary and secondary sources of repayment. 3. Credit Structuring Recommend appropriate: Credit limits; Financing amounts; Loan tenors; Deposits; Repayment structures; Interest rates and risk pricing; Security and collateral requirements; Corporate or personal guarantees; Financial covenants; and Conditions precedent and subsequent. Ensure that proposed financing structures are appropriate for the customer's cash flow profile and underlying asset. Recommend additional risk mitigation measures for higher-risk transactions. 4. Credit Rating and Risk Classification Apply and maintain the Company's internal credit rating methodology. Assign appropriate risk ratings to customers based on financial and non-financial factors. Review and update customer ratings following material changes in financial condition, ownership, operations or repayment behaviour. Support the development and continuous improvement of internal credit scoring and rating models. 5. Credit Approval and Credit Committee Prepare professional Credit Assessment Reports and Credit Committee Memoranda. Present significant credit applications to the relevant Credit Committee or management approval authority. Clearly communicate key risks, mitigants, repayment sources and recommendations. Ensure that approved facilities remain within the Company's Delegation of Authority and Credit Policy. Maintain a complete audit trail for all credit decisions and approvals. 6. Customer Due Diligence Conduct financial and commercial due diligence on significant customers, dealers and fleet operators. Perform customer interviews and site visits where required. Verify business operations, key assets, fleet utilisation, customer concentration and operating capability. Review CIPC information, ownership structures, directors, beneficial ownership and relevant corporate information. Review external credit bureau reports, banking references, trade references and other available credit information. 7. Security and Collateral Assessment Assess the adequacy, enforceability and value of proposed security arrangements. Review vehicle and asset security, corporate guarantees, personal suretyships, cessions and other forms of credit enhancement. Coordinate with the Legal and Compliance functions to ensure appropriate security documentation is in place before drawdown. Monitor compliance with security requirements throughout the financing period. 8. Post-Lending Credit Monitoring Conduct annual, interim and event-driven credit reviews. Monitor customer payment behaviour, credit utilisation and financial performance. Review covenant compliance and identify deterioration in credit quality. Recommend continuation, reduction, suspension or withdrawal of credit facilities where appropriate. Ensure that material changes in customer risk are escalated promptly. 9. Early Warning and Watchlist Management Develop and monitor Early Warning Indicators (EWI), including: Payment delays and arrears; Declining turnover or profitability; Cash flow deterioration; Increased indebtedness; Excessive credit utilisation; Deteriorating bank account conduct; Dealer inventory pressure; Adverse credit bureau information; Legal proceedings; and Material ownership or management changes. Maintain and regularly review the Credit Watchlist. Recommend appropriate remedial actions for customers showing signs of financial stress. 10. Arrears and Problem Account Management Analyse overdue and high-risk accounts. Work closely with Collections, Legal, Finance and Business teams to develop appropriate recovery strategies. Support restructuring, repayment arrangements, security enforcement and legal recovery where required. Provide credit risk recommendations for distressed customers. Participate in impairment and bad debt assessment processes. 11. Portfolio Credit Risk Management Monitor the overall captive finance portfolio by: Customer Dealer Industry Geography; Product; Risk rating; Credit exposure; and Delinquency status. Monitor concentration risk and recommend portfolio limits where appropriate. Prepare regular management reports covering: Credit exposure; Arrears; Defaults; Watchlist customers; Credit concentration; Portfolio quality; and Emerging risks. 12. IFRS 9 and Expected Credit Loss Support Support Finance in the assessment of credit impairment and Expected Credit Loss (ECL). Provide credit risk input for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 assessments where applicable. Support Probability of Default, Loss Given Default and Exposure at Default analysis where required. Provide qualitative credit risk assessments for significant individual exposures. 13. Credit Policy and Governance Support the development and maintenance of: Credit Policy; Credit Assessment Standards; Delegation of Authority; Credit Rating Methodology; Collateral and Security Standards; Watchlist Procedures; Arrears Management Procedures; and Credit Portfolio Limits. Identify weaknesses in existing credit processes and recommend improvements. Ensure consistent application of credit standards across the business. 14. Regulatory and Compliance Responsibilities Ensure credit assessment activities are performed in accordance with applicable South African legislation and regulatory requirements. Maintain appropriate awareness of: National Credit Act (NCA); National Credit Regulator (NCR) requirements, where applicable; Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA); Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing requirements; Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements; Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Companies Act; and Relevant internal compliance policies. Work closely with Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit on credit-related regulatory matters. 15. Cross-Border Credit Risk Where financing activities involve customers outside South Africa: Assess country and sovereign risk; Evaluate foreign exchange and currency mismatch risk; Assess transfer and convertibility risk; Consider local legal enforcement and security perfection risks; Assess cross-border payment and collection risks; and Recommend appropriate additional risk mitigation measures. Preferred Candidate Profile The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Corporate Credit Risk combined with Vehicle & Asset Finance experience. Preference should be given to candidates who have worked in: Corporate or Business Banking Credit; Vehicle & Asset Finance; Commercial Vehicle Finance; Fleet Finance; Dealer Finance; or OEM Captive Finance. The position is not intended to be an administrative credit checking role. The successful candidate must be capable of independently assessing complex corporate exposures, challenging commercial assumptions, structuring appropriate financing solutions and providing professional credit recommendations to senior management. The role must maintain appropriate independence from Sales and Business Development functions to ensure that commercial objectives do not compromise the Company's credit risk standards. Professional qualifications or progress towards the following will be considered an advantage: CA(SA); CFA; FRM; ACCA; CIMA; or Other recognised banking, credit or risk management qualifications. Minimum Requirements: Matric or higher Degree or Postgraduate Diploma equivalent qualification in Business, Economics\/Accounting\/Finance\/Credit Risk, Banking, Business Management, Financial Management. RE5 qualification is mandatory. Proven experience in analysing corporate financial statements and cash flows. Experience in preparing professional Credit Committee papers or Credit Memoranda. Experience in managing or assessing material corporate credit exposure. Minimum 3-5 years' experience in Credit Risk, Commercial Credit, Vehicle & Asset Finance or related financial service environment. Strong Software Skills (Advanced Excel) Experience with SAP, Power BI, credit management systems, loan origination systems or similar financial systems will be advantageous. Code 8 licence Personal Attributes: Confident and proactive approach-anticipate issues and requirements. Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, including the ability to form and maintain business relationships Risk Awareness - Ability to identify financial, commercial and structural risks before they result in losses Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Must be a team player Read and write in English