Zaher Muala

• Development and implementation of new Board Committees’ charters, multiyear bank wide strategy and governance initiatives in close cooperation with the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Monthly analysis of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement against approved budget targets and introducing effective solutions to improve the bottom line through reduction in the cost of funds, cost to income ratio and enhancement of returns on the facilities portfolio through continuous monitoring of the nonperforming delinquent credit facilities and implementing remedial management solutions which resulted in a 100% growth of the banks net income over 2 years.
• Direct Line management of the Institutional and Commercial functions (Government/Semi Government and Private Sector) with 6 direct senior manager reports managing 50+ staff..
• Chair the facilities committees for Consumer and Corporate Banking functions up to Deputy CEO Authority and member of the higher-level facilities committees (CEO Committee, Board Chairman Committee, Board Credit Committee)
• Transformation of existing business operating model and driving strategic change and enhanced profitability through the development and implementation of a bank wide transformation strategy, mitigating risk and optimization of service quality/customer experience aimed at increasing the bank’s share of wallet.
• Development and implementation of a new Credit Policy Manual, Lending Policies and Approval Authority matrices covering all operational aspects of the bank.
• Presentation to the Board of Directors Committees financial data and root cause analysis to ensure transparent communication of company performance and recommendation of changes to optimize the balance sheet and income statement.
• Developed and implemented dynamic pricing strategies for both lending and deposit portfolios as part of the Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO)
• Steering Committee member for Core Banking system implementation.

• Chair the facilities committees for Consumer and Corporate Banking functions up to Regional Manager Authority and member of the higher-level facilities committees (CEO Jordan Head Office Committee and Board Credit Committee)
• Monthly analysis of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement components in conjunction with the CEO in Amman, Jordan against approved targets and introducing effective solutions to improve the bottom line through reduction in the cost of funds, cost to income ratio and enhanced returns on the facilities portfolio through continuous monitoring of the nonperforming delinquent credit facilities and implementing solutions.
• Implemented the approved expansion strategy for the branches in Palestine and increased branch presence in two geographies.
• Develop in close collaboration with the CEO the strategy for the bank and obtain approval from the BOD.
• Transformation of existing business operating model and driving strategic change and enhanced profitability through the development and implementation of a bank wide transformation strategy to enhance profitability, mitigate risk, optimize service quality/customer experience and introduce new products and services.

• Optimizing sales strategy and enhancing business performance across various Segment programs through development and implementation of new lending and deposit products for Consumer Banking coupled with implementation of remedial management/collection strategies resulting in a 400% growth in the lending portfolio over a 4-year period.
• Setting and approval the Consumer Banking Lending Products Limits/RACs and policies with Senior Management across the MENA region while monitoring portfolio and product level delinquency through continuous assessment of product delinquency (using Flow Rates, Was Is Reports, Concentration reports, Limits Management, Industry trends, Early Warning sign indicators, Salary Default, etc.) and reporting to Senior Management the portfolio performance through the preparation of monthly Portfolio Packs.
• Managing the functional units within Consumer Credit including Credit Review, Credit Admin and Collections and decisioning of Head Office Authority level loan transactions.
• Setting and approving the Job Descriptions and KPIs for the various positions within Consumer Credit in conjunction with HR.
• Conducting onsite country credit portfolio reviews in conjunction with Group Risk on Business Risk reviews.
• Sponsoring strategic transformation projects covering the lending portfolio including Loan Origination, Loan Management, Collections Agency/Legal Management, Scoring.
• Implementation of a new Credit Bureau in Jordan
• Implementation of IFRS9 and Basel 3 requirements in the bank through membership in the executive task force.

• Introduced and directly managed a new department within the Credit Group to manage the Consumer Credit Portfolio (USD MM 2, 000 portfolio size) across the footprint.
• Worked closely with the CCO to create KPIs for the department and early warning sign indicators.
• Re-engineered/transformed the Credit Product Review, Monitoring and Approval mechanism.
• Presented to Senior Management along with Consumer Banking the product policy renewals. Ensured policies are compliant with Central Bank Regulations, Credit Policy Manual and Basel 2.
• Worked with Consumer Banking and Operations on new policy and procedures manuals

• Development of a strategy for assessing and implementing business development and monitoring initiatives while effecting profitable change at the Country and plc level.
• Managed all strategic CIB projects across the CIB footprint, including implementation of a new core banking system covering 9 countries and transformation projects covering Credit and Business Development strategy, workflow and streamlining of processes and approvals and communication strategy for the Small Business, Corporate and Institutional segments.
• Developed job descriptions and KPIs including competencies for all CIB job functions to create a career path-oriented approach as well as a job function needs-based strategy to revamping the job descriptions, qualifications, and training for all positions.
• Worked closely with the Chief Credit Officer to create templates for Retail Credit Product Approval across the Arab Bank network.
• Member of the Jordan Country Management Committee, which oversees all Business Lines and Head Office Functional Units for the country of Jordan.

• Implementation of the Business Line Segmentation for CIB across 11 countries.
• Development of Management Information System data sets and analysis of the data based on strategic direction for business development and portfolio controls.
• Managed all strategic CIB projects across the plc, including implementation of a new core banking system covering 9 countries and transformation projects covering Credit and Business Development strategy, workflow and streamlining of processes and approvals and communication strategy for the Small Business, Corporate and Institutional segments.
• Analysis of job descriptions and KPIs including competencies for all CIB job functions to create a career path-oriented approach as well as proposing enhancements.

Leading national Banking Corporation with more than 80, 000 employees.
Managed all aspects of multiple consumer and business client relationships in Retail including loan origination and processing. Major consumer loan originator and processor as well as Business loan originator (Small Business Banking under Retail Umbrella). Originated Mortgage loans for consumer and business clients in market. Analysis of Business Financial Statements to ensure guidelines with Profit/Loss and income guidelines for lending approval.

Managed client relationships for 300 clients in Retail. Determined client needs and presented appropriate banking and financial services solutions, including investments, loans, and savings/checking accounts. Originated Business Relationship Management portfolio with emphasis on Business Loans and Lines of Credit including Small Business Administration products. Demonstrated and compared rates of return to obtain client deposits. Analyzed Business Financial Statements to determine eligibility for Business Lending products. Provided financial services and sales to new and prospective clients. Developed financial plans and portfolios to meet client investment objectives. Obtained funds and managed client investments for optimum returns and client satisfaction. Organized seminars on investment topics. Completed sales, managed accounts, and followed through to ensure service and satisfaction. Coordinated meeting and appointment schedule.
Key Contributions:
• Increased district ranking in all categories from Rank 80 of 200 to top 10% within nine months.
• Ranked as being in the top 5% of Personal Bankers in the United States (#377/8000)
• Trained and coached six relationship bankers in company system, documentation, and selling skills.
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Group Credit
Responsible for overseeing the SME Initiative, in close conjunction with the CCO and Assistant C.E.O. which includes development of all aspects of a specialized SME Business from within the Corporate segment and launching it across the Arab Bank network.
Key Contributions:
•Oversaw the development of a Credit Policy and Procedure tailored to the SME segment with RACs and TM Criteria for credit as well as Liability products and packaged solutions for SMEs, with integration of the SME business within the Retail branch network to maximize cross sell opportunity and ensure service excellence.
•Worked closely with the Chief Credit Officer to create templates for Retail Credit Product Approval across the Arab Bank network.
•Managed the project to introduce a workflow system for processing SME Loans.