Credit Officer

About the company

Reporting Line Managing Director of Flexlend

Your tasks

To originate, appraise, process, recommend, disburse, monitor and recover loans in line with the organisation’s credit policy, risk appetite, lending procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. The Credit/Loan Officer is responsible for ensuring that credit facilities are granted to eligible borrowers based on sound credit assessment, adequate repayment capacity, appropriate documentation and acceptable risk levels, while maintaining a quality loan portfolio and supporting the organisation’s lending income and business growth objectives.

• Loan Origination and Business Development

Identify, source and develop prospective individual and corporate borrowers in line with the organisation’s target market. Market the organisation’s loan products and explain eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees, repayment terms and other conditions to prospective customers. Receive, review and process loan applications and supporting documents. Conduct preliminary screening of applicants to determine their eligibility and suitability for credit facilities. Maintain relationships with existing borrowers to encourage repeat business, timely repayments and customer retention. Meet assigned loan origination, portfolio growth and quality targets without compromising credit standards. B. Credit Appraisal and Risk Assessment Conduct detailed credit assessments of prospective borrowers, including their character, capacity, capital, collateral and prevailing business or economic conditions. Analyse bank statements, financial statements, income records, cash flows, business performance and existing indebtedness. Assess the borrower’s repayment capacity and determine the appropriate loan amount, tenor, pricing and repayment structure. Conduct customer visits, business inspections and other due diligence procedures where necessary. Verify borrowers’ identities, employment, business activities, income sources, addresses, guarantors and collateral information. Obtain and evaluate credit bureau reports and other relevant credit history information, subject to applicable law and approved procedures. Prepare comprehensive credit appraisal reports with recommendations for approval, restructuring, additional conditions or rejection. Ensure that all credit recommendations comply with approved lending limits, delegated approval authorities and the organisation’s risk appetite. C. Loan Documentation and Disbursement Prepare and coordinate the completion of loan offer letters, facility agreements, repayment schedules, guarantees, security documents and other relevant documentation. Confirm that all required approvals and pre-disbursement conditions have been satisfied before recommending or processing disbursement. Ensure that collateral, guarantees, insurance and other security arrangements are properly documented and perfected where applicable. Verify that loan proceeds are disbursed to the approved beneficiary and for the authorised purpose. Maintain complete, accurate and retrievable credit files, both electronically and in hard copy where required. Liaise with Legal, Internal Control, Operations, Finance, Compliance and other relevant departments to resolve documentation and disbursement issues. D. Loan Portfolio Monitoring Monitor assigned loan accounts to ensure timely repayment of principal, interest, fees and other obligations. Review repayment performance, account conduct, borrower cash flows and other early-warning indicators. Conduct periodic borrower visits and post-disbursement inspections, especially for business and purpose-specific loans. Identify and report emerging credit deterioration, covenant breaches, business setbacks and potential loan defaults. Maintain accurate records of outstanding balances, instalments due, overdue amounts, portfolio quality and borrower commitments. Recommend appropriate remedial actions, including enhanced monitoring, additional security, restructuring or recovery escalation. Monitor loan concentration by customer, sector, product and geography within assigned portfolio limits. E. Loan Recovery and Delinquency Management Follow up with borrowers before and after repayment due dates to promote timely repayment. Contact delinquent borrowers promptly and establish the reasons for missed payments. Agree and document appropriate repayment commitments within approved procedures. Conduct collection visits, issue reminders and escalate persistent defaults in accordance with the organisation’s recovery policy. Recommend suitable recovery strategies, including restructuring, negotiated settlement, guarantor engagement or legal recovery, where justified and duly authorised. Maintain accurate records of collection activities, promises to pay, broken commitments and recovery outcomes. Work with the Recovery, Legal and Credit Risk teams to manage non-performing loans and minimise credit losses. Avoid unauthorised concessions, harassment, misrepresentation or other improper collection practices. F. Compliance, Internal Controls and Reporting Comply with the organisation’s credit policy, Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) procedures, data protection requirements and applicable regulatory obligations. Escalate suspected fraud, forged documents, unusual transactions, conflicts of interest and other suspicious activities through approved channels. Ensure proper segregation of duties and adherence to approval limits and established internal controls. Prepare periodic reports on loan applications, approvals, disbursements, collections, overdue accounts, portfolio quality and recoveries. Maintain accurate and timely loan records to support management reporting, internal audit, regulatory reviews and credit risk assessments. Respond to audit findings and implement assigned corrective actions within approved timelines. Protect borrowers’ confidential information and ensure that customer data is accessed, used and disclosed only for authorised purposes. G. Customer Service and Stakeholder Management Provide professional, timely and accurate responses to customer enquiries and complaints. Explain loan terms, repayment obligations and consequences of default clearly to borrowers. Coordinate with internal departments to resolve customer and operational issues. Provide feedback on borrower needs, market developments and the performance of existing loan products. Maintain professional relationships with customers, guarantors, employers, business partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Reporting Ability to prepare accurate portfolio reports and escalate material exceptions.

Working Relationships To liaise with all subsidiaries and departments within the Cordros Group

Requirements

Language requirements English

Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, or another relevant discipline.
• A relevant professional qualification, such as a banking, credit management, accounting or risk management qualification, is an added advantage.
• Training or certification in credit analysis, financial statement analysis, loan recovery, customer relationship management or AML/CFT is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and relevant loan management or core banking systems.

• A minimum of 2–5 years of relevant experience in lending, credit analysis, loan administration, microfinance, commercial banking or credit recovery, depending on the seniority of the role.
• Demonstrable experience in loan origination, borrower assessment, credit documentation and portfolio monitoring.
• Experience analysing bank statements, financial records, repayment capacity and credit bureau reports.
• Practical knowledge of delinquency management and loan recovery processes.
• Experience using loan management software, credit monitoring tools and management reporting systems.
• Exposure to SME lending, consumer lending, corporate lending or asset-backed lending is an advantage.

Credit analysis Ability to assess creditworthiness, repayment capacity and default risk.

Financial analysis Ability to interpret financial statements, bank statements, cash flows and key financial ratios.

Loan structuring Understanding of loan amounts, interest rates, tenor, instalments, security and repayment schedules.

Credit risk management Knowledge of credit risk identification, assessment, monitoring and mitigation.

Loan recovery Ability to manage arrears, negotiate repayment and escalate delinquent accounts.

Documentation Accuracy in preparing and reviewing credit files and facility documents.

Regulatory compliance Understanding of KYC, AML/CFT, data protection and applicable lending requirements.

Analytical thinking Ability to identify inconsistencies, evaluate evidence and make sound recommendations.

Numerical ability Strong calculation skills for interest, instalments, exposure, arrears and repayment capacity.

Technology Proficiency in spreadsheets, loan management systems and digital customer records.

Communication Clear written and verbal communication, including credit report writing.

Negotiation Ability to negotiate loan terms and repayment commitments professionally.

Customer service Ability to manage customer relationships while maintaining credit discipline.

Behavioral Attributes Honest Attention to details Responsible Collaboration Teamwork

What we offer

• Monday – Friday (8am – 5pm) A flexible working schedule is also available, i.e. remote work. Weekend work where necessary.

Other

Role Description Job Title Credit Officer

Job Grade Associate

Business Location Lagos, Nigeria

Full/Part Time Full Time

Required No. Candidates for the Role 1

Work Cycle Hours/Days the incumbent is required to work.

Physical Requirements None Moderate Extensive

Lifting Required Yes

Computer use Yes