Lending is the core activity of most financial institutions and the one in which strategic errors are most costly. When growth targets, sector appetite, pricing and monitoring are not coordinated, loan books drift into concentrated, under-priced risk that only shows up when conditions turn. Boards, regulators and investors expect credit leaders to demonstrate that their portfolio is deliberately built and actively managed.

Strategic Credit Risk & Lending Training Course lifts the discussion from single-loan analysis to the design of the whole credit function. Participants define a credit strategy and risk appetite, set limits by sector, product, geography and borrower group, and explore internal rating models and their use in approval and pricing. They examine the economics of lending, including cost of funds, expected loss, capital charge and operating costs, then link these to IFRS 9 staging and provisioning. Further sessions address early warning indicators, remedial management, restructuring and recoveries.

The approach is quantitative but practical, using sample loan tapes, simple spreadsheet models and board-style discussions. Participants draft a risk appetite statement, a portfolio dashboard and a pricing grid, and return with specific recommendations to strengthen their institution's credit framework.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Develop a credit strategy and risk appetite statement consistent with the institution's business model.
• Set and monitor concentration limits by sector, product, geography and large exposures.
• Interpret internal ratings, probability of default and loss given default in credit decisions.
• Build a risk-based pricing grid that covers expected loss, funding, capital and costs.
• Apply IFRS 9 staging and expected credit loss concepts to a loan portfolio.
• Use stress testing and scenario analysis to gauge portfolio resilience.
• Design early warning systems and covenant packages that prompt timely action.
• Manage restructuring, workout and recovery of non-performing loans.

The programme is intended for senior and experienced credit professionals, including:

• Heads of credit and chief credit officers
• Chief risk officers and risk managers
• Credit committee members and approvers
• Corporate, commercial and SME relationship managers
• Portfolio and credit analytics managers
• Executives in microfinance institutions and SACCOs
• Internal auditors and bank examiners reviewing lending
• Treasury, finance and strategy staff linking funding to loan growth

Participants depart with:

• A draft risk appetite statement and credit strategy outline for their institution.
• A concentration limit framework with escalation triggers.
• A risk-based pricing grid they can test against current loan terms.
• A portfolio quality dashboard with key early warning indicators.
• A summary of how IFRS 9 staging and provisions affect profitability.
• A workout and recovery decision tree for problem accounts.

The programme is designed for senior practitioners who want to challenge their own practice. Teaching includes:

• Facilitated board-style discussions on strategy and appetite
• Spreadsheet-based pricing and provisioning labs
• Sample loan tape analysis for concentration and quality review
• Case files covering corporate, SME and microfinance books
• Peer assessment of draft strategy documents and dashboards

Participants who attend the sessions and complete the exercises receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy and CPD-accredited.