Director, Wholesale & Retail Banking
United Amara Bank Limited
Total years of experience :40 years, 8 Months
Role is to oversee the development of Corporate and Retail Banking at the Bank. This includes:
• Development of Corporate and Retail segments of the Bank
• Relationship Management with key customers
• Achievement of sales targets for deposits, loans, trade finance and fund transfer products
• Branding and Advertisements
• Development of retail branches, ATMs and internet banking
• Product development of both corporate and retail products
Achievements include the setting up of one (1) Corporate Banking team and three (3) Retail Banking teams. A number of new Asset and Liability products have also been introduced. Deposits have as result grown by 52% and Loans by 66%.
The ICB Banking Group up to February 2013 comprised of banks in 14 countries and its holding company was listed in the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange (www.icbankingroup.com)
I oversaw a portfolio of 14 banks and my responsibilities include :
- the supervision of financial performance and targets
- strategy
- risk management
- policy and procedure
- Corporate Governance
All major loans and credit strategy are centraly supervised /approved and I am also responsible for overseeing the Credit Portfolio of these banks.
These banks under the banner of International Commercial Bank operated in the following countries :
• Ghana
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Republic of Guinea
• Tanzania
• Mozambique
• Sierra Leone
• Gambia
• Bangladesh
• Senegal
• Albania
• Malawi
• Zambia
• Djibouti
Achievements include
Improved Profitability and asset size which has led to the successful listing of the holding company in the London Stock Exchange
Opening of new banks in Sierra Leone (2004), Gambia (2005), Senegal (2006) and Djibouti (2006). Also developed Manual for Policies and Procedures for these banks.
Implemented strategic plans and product development both in asset and liability products which has resulted in improved market share. Both Corporate and Consumer banking segments of banks have expanded in terms of volume and range of products.
Negotiated the acquisition and installation of a new Core system for banks within the Group which has been installed in 9 banks over last 3 years. Now embarking in 2nd phase of introducing electronic products.
Improved Brand Image and International recognition with several awards for banks within the Group including “Bank of the Year” awards for Years 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Responsible for:
• Leadership of day-to-day operations
• Strategy and Business Direction
• Financial Performance of all units
• Internal Control and Risk Management
• Credit Committee and Asset & Liability Management Committee leadership
Achievements include:
Restructure of business direction and strategy of the Bank and changes resulted in profitability increase.
Increased branch network from 1 branch in 1999 to 4 in 2001. New branches broke-even within 6 months of opening.
Increase in deposit and loan portfolios due to customer-focused initiatives. Both Corporate and Consumer business were substantially expanded.
Improved Loan quality and Risk Management focus.
Achieved overall rating of “Good” for years 2000, 2001 and 2002 from Central Bank of Ghana Inspectors.
Responsible for:
• Start-up of a new bank in Dar-es-Salaam
• Development of systems and procedures the company
• Day-to-day leadership of the Bank and Risk Management
• Financial Performance
• Credit Committee and Asset & Liability Commitee leadership
Achievements include:
Bank successfully opened for business in February 1998 ie. within 6 months of incorporation.
Broke-even within 1st quarter of operations mainly through Treasury and Forex activity.
Acquired major middle market and Corporate acccounts
Success in Tanzania led to the transfer to the bank in Ghana which had much larger operations. I continue to supervise the Bank from my present station and it has grown to a network of 5 branches.
Southern Bank (now merged with CIMB Bank) was a public listed company in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange with over 100 branches. It had a full range of Corporate and Consumer banking products and known for its electronic banking capacity. Also offered both Conventional and Islamic banking products.
A summary of responsibilities is as follows;
• Manager, Main Branch (1995-1997)
• Manager, Subang Jaya Branch (1992-1995)
• Manager, Section 14 Branch (1991-1992)
• Manager, Tasek Branch, Ipoh (1989-1991)
• Account Officer, Local Corporate Dept, Head Office (1988)
• Head, Credit Department, Kuala Terengganu (1985-1987)
• Credit Officer, Head Office (1983-1985)
In my last position at the Bank as Main Branch Manager, I managed a portfolio of:
• Loans : MYR1, 400 million (USD 300million)
• Deposit : MYR 400 million (USd100million)
• Trade Bills : MYR 500 million (USD130million)
The Main Branch contributed to 10% of Group profits.
Acquired 14 years of experience in Credit (both Corporate and Consumer), Trade Finance and Branch banking.
Experience covers specialised Credit Officer functions at Head Office (5 years) and Branch Manager in 4 branches (9 years).
Also had opportunity to concurrently set up and manage 2 (two) centralised Trade Finance Centres.
Awarded "Distinction"