Credit Officer - Loan and Leases - Vice President

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance.

The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE : SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients.

It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc.

SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

Role Description

This role within SMFL will provide appropriate credit risk analysis to portfolio related management in support of sound credit risk management such as Credit Underwriting, Credit Monitoring, Portfolio management, delinquency management, QDM and G grade model enhancement / monitoring development, establishing triggers for easing and tightening credit underwriting standards, CRVD and Audit compliance on sound Credit Risk Management practices and any other duties that management assigned in addition to what is assigned.

Strategy-Accountable for all first line credit risk management strategies including origination, modification, acquisition, account management (credit line underwriting, credit monitoring, credit approval authorization, and exception management), on top of collections segmentation in coordination with AMD, and manage portfolio efforts across all lending products (equipment finance and leases, Factoring and Floor Planning).

Establish and maintain a strong credit culture that balances growth and asset quality in support of the SMFL's strategic plan.

Identify portfolio trends and other economic factors and recommend appropriate proactive measures for effective first line strategies and an ongoing early warning system.

Leadership-Demonstrate leadership and credit skills by holding self and any direct reports responsible for developing talent and bench strength, while maintaining the SMFL credit culture.

Would be responsible to check accuracy of work of the underwriting analyst and compliance to UW guidelines and standards and RACS, meet all internal reporting requirements, and ensure appropriate full scope of information is available for decision-making at all levels.

Develop and maintain exceptional knowledge of financial industry, economy, market conditions, borrowers, and portfolios.

Collaboration-Partner with AMD and Finance to set appropriate Bad Debt reserve provision and allowance. Closely collaborate with Sales, SMBC Client Partnerships, Accounting and IT to ensure that credit writeup are approved in timely manner and internal ratings, JP classification and US Regulatory classifications are updated when credit event happens and at the Self-Assessment and systems are reconciled for accurate grading.

Also, to ensure that credit risk can support key initiatives across the business in line with our risk appetite at accretive returns.

Risk Management-Review existing and new client relationships for credit quality as well as overall credit quality of loans and portfolios.

Develop, direct, and implement systems, scores, models, risk controls, and policies and procedures in support of business objectives in line with risk appetite and return metrics.

The policies and procedures to ensure accretive returns and that results remain within the SMFL's risk appetite metrics.

Work closely with the SMBC Bank in participation and direct Japanese deals and comply with second line Credit Risk Management RMDAD oversight and examinations from 3rd Line of defense - IAD and CRVD and maintain strong relationships, support examinations and adhere to CUSO Credit Risk Management Framework and Governance Control and other AD policies.

Role Objectives

• Coordinate and manage with Sales to ensure the pipeline flow for credit deals are assigned to underwriters and track the progress until the approval obtained.
• Underwrite credit lease and loan transactions including complex lease, loan, factoring, Japan Direct and any other new product transactions as a preparer to support the pipeline flow and turnover time.

The underwriting to be comply with SMFL Credit Policy, CRVD standards and other SMBC credit and compliance regulatory expectations.

• Ensure that all Underwriting Policy and RAC exceptions are identified, tracked and monitored during the credit risk management process.
• Participate in Annual Review monitoring and Self-Assessment process per schedule and plan in advance with the team to compete the reviews in timely manner for all business segments and ensure accurate risk rating and classification ( JP and US) are determined.
• Efforts to work towards reducing the credit losses by having quality underwriting practices and credit monitoring practices.
• Assign internal Risk rating / JP and US Reg classification ratings, update applicable scorecards, monitor limits, oversee data accuracy to ensure compliance with business and institutional guidelines and ensure data integrity in the credit systems.
• Manage data base for model monitoring purpose specifically for G grade model and if required for QDM scorecard.
• Play an integral role in the credit approval process for deal post-closing amendment / modifications, consent, waiver requests and comply with the SMFL policy and procedure.
• Maintain organized credit files for credit, regulatory, and compliance purposes.
• Prepare and present updates on Portfolio Reviews to business management and Risk when requested and support the portfolio analysis trends and reporting and analytics.
• Participate in new credit products approval and underwriting the same at the beginning. E.g., Structured finance leases, Synthetic Leases etc.
• Work with Internal Control in managing and monitoring the Risk Appetite metrics for Credit and escalating the breachers to Senior Management.
• Enforces the policies and procedures of the leasing credit policy throughout the leasing department.
• Manages lease portfolios regarding credit maturities and manages all requests for extensions. Gathers documentation and / or perform due diligence required to approve leases.
• Monitor and manage delinquencies with collaboration with Collection team and Sales team.
• Perform monthly and quarterly reports as required by Senior Management.
• Presents credit underwriting approval packages at SMFL Credit Managers / Committee Meetings for all leasing requests.
• Develops close working partnerships with the Leasing sales team, operations and other internal company staff to ensure open communication channels are available to handle issues associated with all lease requests.

Responds to calls and requests for information from the team.

• Carry out any other duties that management assigned in addition to what is allocated above.
• Comply with SMFL internal control standards and compliance at all times

Qualifications and Skills

Education / Experience Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Five plus years commercial and leasing credit analyst and underwriting experience

Preferred Qualifications

Strong working knowledge and understanding of traditional financial analysis.

Strong organizational, time management and prioritization skills to meet deadlines.

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with strong presentation skills.

Team player able to work effectively in a team fostered, multi-tasking environment.

Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize.

Ability to read and understand financial statements and tax returns.

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and Power BI Tool

Have past experience working with Salesforce and Aspire systems

Additional Requirements

D&I Commitment

Responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, holding leaders accountable for creating an inclusive environment through awareness and practice of equity in recruiting, developing, and promoting diverse talent.

SMBC's employees participate in a hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office.

SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations for employees and applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at [email protected].