Mahir Palejwala

Relationship Manager within Corporate, Commercial Banking & Supervising the Business Banking segment within Islamic unit (Attijari Al Islami)

Studying and analyzing the financial performance, financial strength, and operating history of new & existing borrowers (through audited financials) and detailed financial package to arrive at a conclusion regarding the client’s creditworthiness.

Assessing the proposed & under review limits/ facilities requested (and enhancements) by evaluating the capacity of prospect/ borrower to pay their obligations due.

Developing a marketing plan & implementing it as per agreed objectives in order to maximize the profitability and achieve business growth.

Appraising various risks such as market risk, industry risk, credit risk, and operational risks, and proposing methods & procedures to mitigate the above.

Examining and applying the Bank's standards and policies to help perform proper credit evaluation, whilst keeping abreast of current market conditions and the bank’s competitors.

Employed the organization’s credit risk models and rating methodologies to measure corporate clients’ credit risk.

Assisted the primary analyst in rating portfolios of Corporate Bonds, Islamic Sukuks, and Commercial Loans.

Led a team of analysts to consolidate a broader base of unsolicited rating assignments of local / regional companies to build a wider spectrum of analytic ranges for the agency’s national scale rating methodologies.

Undertook active participation in streamlining and development of several rating methodologies across the broader market - covering all sectors and debt instruments.

Facilitated and reviewed the development of fund specific rating methodologies such as equity / bond / mutual / real estate funds.

Conducted timely research on market and industry trends related to credit risk / credit rating practices.

Increased the organization’s cross-sector coverage over regional companies within the GCC, in order to transcend from being a local credit rating agency into a regionally recognized institution.

Ascertained potential weak points in various sectors and generated periodic sectoral credit standing reports and sector research reports.

Reviewed credit opinion and industry research reports written by junior / credit analyst (s), conducted new candidate interviews, and reviewed the interview assignments of potential candidates.

Represented the firm, in local seminars hosted by ministries, universities, business councils, and embassies and interacted with speakers, and business delegates on the active support role of credit rating agencies.

Functioned in adherence to the rules, regulations, standards, and codes laid down by the organization.

Led the local, foreign settlement and corporate action teams through several projects such as:-

a. Segregation of client assets - country/ custodian-wise segregation of portfolio client cash and securities
€b. Development of new client portfolio statements - development and design of new analytical tools, pie-charts on client statements
c.‚ƒ Client portfolio restructuring - 3-day exercise of movement of all client cash and securities to new devised portfolio structure
d. Safekeeping system - aided in design and implementation of in-house custody system for physical share certificates and cheques

Proprietary debt restructuring: -

a. Presented a cost-analysis based on market commissions for transfer of USD$ 1.44 bn worth proprietary listed/ unlisted assets
to a close-ended, unit-based fund pledged to lenders (Jan. 2010)
b. Conducted successful transfer of assets from proprietary to funds’ custody prior to credit committee deadline (May 2010)

Played an integral role in implementation of a centralized brokerage platform which involved the following:-

a. Built partnerships with a leading International Bank - participated in meetings between management and transaction bank,
drafted SLA agreements and attended negotiations on FX rate structure. Linked multi-currency bank accounts opened for the
omnibus account and brokerage subsidiaries on the bank’s web-based platform access facility

Assisted management in drafting and finalizing several key departmental procedures:-

a. Policy and Procedures - worked with team and IA for drafting local, foreign settlement and corporate action teams Policy and Procedures
b. SLA’s - formalized SLA’s between operations and internal departments after consultation with key inter-department personnel

Monitored trade and financial settlements for various markets; mainly Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, US and UK Markets.

Liaised with brokers and central counterparties for account reconciliation, trade settlement and corporate actions processing.

Monitored all cash and security reconciliation pertaining to client portfolio vs bank, broker and/ or custodians.

Assisted Treasury in conducting foreign exchange deals for broker claims, as well as timely settlement between global currencies to reflect daily updated client cash positions.

Developed several management reports for tracking investment performance, client trading volumes and associated costs.

Provided backbone support to Front office, IT, Treasury and Accounts in smooth running of business processes.

Oversaw adherement of operating procedures by settlement team operators and dealt with auditors during periodic review.

Maintained appropriate documentation for financial reversals, settlement issues, and business development activities.

Evaluated and provided feedback on periodic development of online securities trading platform (GBS).

Member of team of telemarketing assistants for DSF 2003 event “Bullfight”.

Involved contacting several organizations/companies for sponsorship of event, and sale of tickets.