Haitham Kabbarah

Recently joined the company considered as one of the major players in the Finance business in the kingdom, appointed as Head of Internal Audit. Currently HIA reporting directly to Audit & Compliance Committee.

As result of the merger between National Commercial Bank and SAMBA Financial Group, I been nominated as part of the internal Audit management, I will be handling all the retail operation audit functions (i.e. Personal & Home finances, Auto-Leasing, Credit Cards, Cash Center and ATM Operations), in-addition, retails support functions (i.e. Retails Collection & Recoveries, Customer Care, Risk Management, Retail Compliance).

Reference to my experience in the banking sectors in the consumer credit management, internal control, internal audit. i been selected to be a member of SAMAB internal Audit & Risk review team.
- in charge of all audit activates for consumer finance group (locally and international branches), customer care department, call center, consumer products (credit cards, personal loans, mortgage, etc.), and SME audit.
- Any special assignment appointed by the Internal Audit CIA.

A decision of career change was required at that time, which retched my experience by adding additional knowledge in new field by dealing with external clients that improves my real estate market understanding.

Nominated by the Chief Internal Auditor of Saudi Hollandi Bank as the new Head of Internal Audit of Saudi Hollandi Capital (SHC), a newly established and independent department within the SHC organization. Responsible for the planning, directing, coordinating, and overseeing the audit process: annual audit planning, risk assessment, engagement planning, execution, reporting, resolution and follow up and MIS. Audit activities cover audit engagements, follow-up and advisory reviews and any other ad-hoc reviews for Saudi Hollandi Capital. Directly reports to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Currently reviewing for the CMA examination.

* Responsible for directing, guiding and coaching the audit team to ensure on scope and on-time delivery of audit reports as well as monitoring and evaluating the performances of the audit team members for the assignments led (post-engagement evaluation).
* Prepare/ review/ submit all key deliverable of the Audit on time and with required quality; documents are: (a) Engagement Planning Memo; (b) Audit Work/ Test Program; (c) Work-papers with references; (d) Evidences; (e) Draft Audit Report; (f) Complete Audit File.
* Supports the Chief Internal Auditor in performing the yearly universe risk assessment in line with defined standards.
* Lead the audit team of 2, who performed the following major audits:
* Branches (54) within the Kingdom which mainly covered Account opening and closing process; ATM Administration; ATM cards stock/issuance/delivery process; Cheque-books stock/issuance/delivery process; Cheque stop payment; Cheque clearing outward; Credit cards stock/issuance/delivery process; Demand draft stock/issuing; Outgoing transfer process; Safe Deposit Lockers; Inactive Accounts; Key and combination management; Cash Control; Safety and Security; KYC process; and User Access.
* Hajj mission activities, covering Clarity of the current structure, roles and responsibilities of all stake-holders; Hajj Mission Policy and Procedures and regulatory requirements; Effectiveness and control mechanisms over all Hajj activities; Documentation of Hajj Mission accounts; Existence of a clear Hajj strategy for the missions; Account opening/ reactivation process; Asses the control and process of all funds deposited / withdrawn; Availability of reliable, efficient and relevant reporting and information to management and other involved parties (SAMA / Compliance); Use and movements of Hajj Mission accounts.
* SPAN (business side only) to assess the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of the controls applied over the ATM and POS business, and to examine the adequacy and effectiveness of compliance with the SAMA requirements for SPAN relating to POS and ATM transactions. The SPAN element of this audit is a mandatory requirement by SAMA.
* Payment Department activities, to assess the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of the controls applied over the fund transfers, standing order, direct debit, corporate payrolls, SADDAD, and Collection, to examine the adequacy and effectiveness of compliance with the SAMA requirements for these transactions.
* Consumer Credit & SME Risk Management where we assessed the effectiveness of control mechanisms in place to manage the consumer credit products and SME risks, examined and reviewed the control over enrollment of new entities / freezing/ cancellation and reactivation on sample basis and assessed the effectiveness of processing, reviewed the accuracy of MIS / risk analysis and monitoring of the portfolio setting are performed effectively, adherence to regulatory rules within internal policies and procedures, reviewed the process for branches overdrawn and incidental accounts and other general controls, reviewed exception process in regards to system / manual control in place for SME, Personal Loans, and Credit Cards and examined and reviewed the SME loan processing and approval process.
* Conducted special review on consumer protection.
* Member of compliance risk assessment project, representing internal audit department.

Responsible for consumer credit operations process, portfolio risk and recommendation of new credit policy changes. Managed three direct managers handling personal loans, credit card issuance and mortgage loans. Assigned as primary contact representing Saudi Hollandi Bank in (SIMAH- Saudi Credit Bureau), and a member in Bureau User Group Committee.
Member of different system implementation and migrations such as Multipack Credit Card system, Vision-Plus Credit Card system, Delta Credit Card Systems, T24 - Globus Core Banking Systems, Project Business Manager of Business Process Management for Personal Loans system.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
* Actively support, monitor and implement approved operational credit risk and business development strategies and plans to achieve assigned business goals and targets with the aim of maximizing earnings and minimizing risk factors standards.
* Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to key staff of consumer credit operations to enhance their technical expertise and ensure their effective performance to continuously provision highest level of client satisfaction.
* Ensure a high quality portfolio is built and maintained in conformity with the bank policies and procedures.
* Evaluate and make timely recommendations to Head Office Credit Committee in regards to fine tuning, enhancement, system improvement and product enhancement to ensure optimal risk/reward potential.
* Ensure high level of Audit rating for consumer credit operations with minimum operational and credit issues.
* Finalize annual budget preparation and constantly monitor achievements against all aspects of approved budget and initiate corrective actions in co-ordination with my direct reporting staff to ensure their effective implementation.
* Ensure staff acts in accordance with SAMA and SIMAH (Saudi Credit Bureau) rules and regulations related to consumer credit operations functions.
* Manage and/or participate in new operations related projects when required to ensure timely and effective implementation of
the projects.

Managing day to day loan applications processing. Controlling government, semi-government & private companies risk portfolio, reviewing company’s staff loan performance and approval enrolling / suspense company staff loan facility. Amendments in credit policies according to business and market requirements or changes. Business enhancement from time to time (when necessary) by having monthly Sales / Credit meetings. Acted as Consumer Credit Risk Management Group Head, managing around 160 staff, while simultaneously managing Operations Area for Consumer Loans / Credit Card, Credit Policy, Collection & Recovery, MIS Team, & Entities Enrollment. Steering committee member for the bank’s new strategies.

Promoted as Credit Cards Manager in Credit Consumer Risk Management Department. Responsible for credit card approval applications and customer relation support requests. Successfully launched Credit Cards in the Saudi market in 1998 and in June 2003, I was one of the key members who successfully launched the first Smart Credit Card (chip-card) in the Kingdom.

* Cards Services & Support Unit Officer Assistant, February 1997 - September 1997
* Accounting Supervisor, December 1996 - February 1997
* Cards Services & Support Unit Supervisor - August 1996 - November 1996
* Credit Card Authorization Agent, June 1995 - July 1996
* Credit Card Support Coordinator, February 1995 to June 1995
* Phone Banking Agent, May 1994 - January 1995