Loans Administration - Assistant Vice President

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Business Area

London Loan Administration Section supports the administration of the EMEA loan portfolio for SMBC BI London & Paris (to-be SMBC EU AG Paris w.e.f. 01/26), SMBC London, Brussels, Dubai & Dusseldorf and SMBC EU, AG Frankfurt & Milan. Work is managed by a serviced supplier team and SMBC London team. The loan book has been categorised into levels between 1-4 with 1 being standard and 4 being the most complex. The serviced supplier team supports level 1-3 with the SMBC London team supporting level 4. This loan book covers Committed & Uncommitted Bilateral, Committed Agency and Committed Participation transactions.

Purpose of Job

• Responsible for managing (eg co-ordination, actioning, authorising, etc. ) all aspects of loan administration for the level 4 loan portfolio as well as providing support to the supplier team as required.  Additionally, the AVP is expected to provide direct support to front office colleagues across EMEA as well as external lenders / borrowers as required;
• Responsibility for supporting operational elements for strategic firm wide and regulatory change initiatives as well as standard technology upgrades where system testing would be required (in conjunction with ITSD / JRIE ) The role is also responsible for driving and implementing change initiatives under OAD, KAIZEN (continuous improvement) philosophy;
• Provide SME knowledge, where required, to contribute towards the assessment of new products or processes;

• Co-ordination of the daily loan processing requirements under the CBDE1 Uncommitted portfolio, including processing of HR affiliated lending (eg staff loans);
• Support Front Office, external lenders and borrowers with queries and issue resolution;
• Contribute and support strategic and local OAD change initiatives by supplying SME bank and market knowledge;
• Daily / bi-weekly interaction / deliberations with OAD Execution Control Section to arrive at strategic decisions regarding new deal signings, structures, etc;
• Support the Team Leader(s) and Section Head in the delivery of key services and decision making / strategic planning to ensure the Team(s) / Section perform to fullest ability and requirements, defined by processes and procedures;
• Document review, booking and payment settlement of Secondary Trading, either as an Agent or as a Participant;
• Control and administer the receipt of Credit Risk Insurance premium invoices and take necessary processing actions accordingly;
• Co-ordination and actioning of Agency fee billing and settlement under the Committed Bilateral / Agency portfolio;
• Proactively support internal and external audits by supplying SME knowledge to provide walkthroughs and answer queries;
• Undertake daily clearance / investigation of system validations and rejections (eg zone checks);
• Undertake daily / monthly Team reporting, eg Past Due Report, Risk-Fee Report, etc. and take necessary actions and referrals accordingly.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• To ensure all transactions booked in the system(s) are are processed correctly and in a timely manner, under 4-eye control, in accordance with Head Office rules, regulatory obligations and local procedures. It is expected that all AVP’s have an approval financial limit of a minimum of GBP30mio;
• Daily liaison with colleagues across the Service Provider team, OAD, Marketing areas, Treasury, Finance & Control, etc. to manage the roles and responsibilities duly assigned and to ensure timely setup and settlement of obligations;
• Daily liaison with external stakeholders namely financial institutions, bilateral customers and own inter-group companies.
• Ensure all key-controls are met during the day by closely monitoring queues, intra-day reports, etc. and ensure all Aide Memoires are actioned in a timely manner;
• Manage/Monitor Payment Queues in LoanIQ / LoRD when allocated such responsibility;
• Utilise transferable skills by providing cover for colleagues across the Section when required;
• Seek ways to improve processes and increase STP without increasing risk including revision of Section Procedures and suggest improvements where appropriate;
• Train and mentor staff on Processes and Procedures including European Office  / Service Provider colleagues where appropriate.

Knowledge and Experience

• Excellent understanding of Loans Administration roles and responsibilities, including relevant current market knowledge;
• Conscientious nature to ensure that all work transacted is to the highest quality with zero errors or omissions, whilst still meeting all required deadlines;
• Confident in oral and written communication with both internal and external stakeholders;
• Solid understanding of LoanIQ and funding implications & SWIFT payments and the wider implications of payment formatting;
• Understanding underlying legal loan documentation with a view to navigating easily in times of referral;
• Advanced understanding of loan funding mechanisms via Treasury and implications of lack of communication;
• Able to adapt to continually changing requirements of the daily processing;
• Able to prioritise day to day responsibilities versus providing support for tactical process improvements;
• Being determined to continually challenge the status quo of existing processing methods whilst recognising the need to ensure control is maintained and customer experienced enhanced.

Competencies

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

• Hybrid and flexible working 
• Competitive paid leave days
• Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
• Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
• Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
• Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!