Credit is the largest source of income and also of loss in most financial institutions. Rising interest rates, currency swings, slow payment by governments and weather shocks to borrowers have all increased default risk in recent years, while regulators and auditors expect lenders to evidence sound underwriting, accurate provisioning and prompt recognition of problem loans. Institutions with strong policies on paper but weak execution regularly see impairments climb.

The Planning and Implementation of Credit Risk and Lending Training Course covers the entire lifecycle in two connected phases. The planning phase builds the framework: strategy, risk appetite, policy, delegated authority, target sectors, product design and the data required. The implementation phase puts that framework to work through borrower assessment, cash flow and collateral analysis, risk grading, structuring and approval, then disbursement controls, monitoring, remedial action and recovery. Ten days allow depth that shorter courses cannot, including portfolio analytics, provisioning methodology and independent credit review.

Sessions pair concise input with realistic loan files, spreadsheet templates and committee role-plays. Participants work on a case portfolio throughout, so that each new technique is applied immediately. In the last two days they assemble an implementation plan covering policy changes, process steps, tools, controls and reporting for their own institution.

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Design a credit risk strategy, risk appetite and credit policy aligned with business goals.
• Analyse borrower financial statements, cash flows and repayment capacity.
• Evaluate collateral, guarantees and security perfection, and plan recovery and restructuring.
• Assign internal risk ratings and use scorecards for retail and SME lending.
• Price loans to reflect expected loss, capital and funding costs.
• Structure facilities with suitable terms, covenants and conditions.
• Apply IFRS 9 staging and expected credit loss concepts to a loan portfolio.
• Monitor accounts, detect early warning signs and manage problem loans.

The programme is intended for professionals in lending institutions who design, run or review credit processes, including:

• Credit analysts and credit underwriters
• Relationship managers in corporate, commercial and SME banking
• Credit risk and portfolio managers
• Loan officers in microfinance institutions and SACCOs
• Collections, recovery and remedial management officers
• Credit administration and loan operations staff
• Internal auditors and credit review officers
• Development finance officers and agricultural lenders

Participants leave with:

• An outline credit policy and risk appetite statement for their institution.
• A financial spreading and cash flow analysis template.
• A rating and scorecard framework adaptable to their products.
• A completed credit memorandum for a case borrower.
• An expected credit loss worksheet for a sample portfolio.
• An early warning checklist and a problem loan action plan.
• A costed implementation roadmap for strengthening their lending function.

The programme is organised around one continuing case portfolio so that techniques build on each other:

• Full loan files for borrowers in manufacturing, trade, agriculture and services
• Spreadsheet labs for spreading, cash flow, rating and provisioning
• Credit committee role-plays with approval and dissent
• Short expert inputs on policy, regulation and standards
• A closing project presenting a costed implementation plan

Participants who attend the ten days and complete the case work and implementation project receive a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.