Governance & Compliance

Credit Policy and Lending Governance

Sound credit policy and governance protect lenders from excessive losses. This course covers lending governance: credit risk strategy and appetite, credit policies, delegated authorities and committees, credit assessment standards, concentration limits, monitoring and early warning, problem loans and credit risk reporting.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many financial institution failures began with weak credit governance. You will learn how to set and oversee prudent lending.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Policy review exercises, credit committee simulations, case studies of lending failures and reporting workshops.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Link credit strategy to risk appetite
Develop clear credit policies
Design delegated authorities and committees
Set credit assessment standards
Manage concentrations and monitor portfolios
Oversee problem loans and credit reporting

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Credit risk managers
Credit committee members
Senior bankers
Risk and compliance professionals
Board risk committee members

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Policy design
Credit governance
Portfolio monitoring
Problem loan management
Risk reporting

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Credit Governance

09:00–10:08Credit risk and strategy
10:08–11:00Governance structures
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Governance structures (continued)
11:45–12:53Case study
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Credit Policy

09:00–10:08Policy content
10:08–11:00Underwriting standards
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Underwriting standards (continued)
11:45–12:53Exceptions
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Authorities and Committees

09:00–10:08Delegated authorities
10:08–11:00Committee practice
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Committee practice (continued)
11:45–12:53Simulation
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Portfolio Management

09:00–10:08Concentrations
10:08–11:00Early warning
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Early warning (continued)
11:45–12:53Stress testing
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 5Problem Loans and Reporting

09:00–10:08Workouts and recovery
10:08–11:00Provisioning links
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Provisioning links (continued)
11:45–12:53Board reporting
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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