Business Analyst

Embarking on a career with Absa in Polokwane offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Africa's future by ensuring sound financial decisions are made. As a prominent financial institution with a legacy spanning over a century, Absa is committed to growth and innovation, inviting individuals to join a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the continent's destiny.

The Essence of the Business Analyst Role

At its core, the Business Analyst's primary responsibility is to meticulously assess credit applications and dealer approvals. This involves ensuring that all submissions not only meet Absa's stringent lending policies but also represent an acceptable level of risk and uphold a high standard of quality. The role is crucial in supporting the front-end sales teams, both in achieving their immediate objectives and their long-term strategic goals. A Business Analyst is expected to handle a diverse range of credit requests, often stepping in to provide expert guidance even when the primary Asset Finance Consultant may be unavailable.

This position demands a thorough understanding of credit risk, requiring the ability to analyse financial and non-financial information to underpin proposals for commercial asset finance. You'll be delving into client industries, researching profitability, identifying market trends, and evaluating a client's competitive standing. A significant part of the role involves robust financial analysis, utilising historical data and financial statements to forecast a client's future growth and sustainability. This often includes conducting sensitivity and scenario analyses to gauge the potential impact of economic shifts, political changes, or fluctuations in consumer demand on a client's financial health.

Key Responsibilities and Strategic Input

The Business Analyst will be instrumental in structuring commercial asset finance lending solutions tailored to individual client needs. These solutions must carefully consider potential threats to the client's business while remaining within defined credit limits and aligning with the bank's overall credit appetite and policies. A critical output of this analysis is the compilation of comprehensive proposals. These documents will summarise the client's background, their commercial asset finance requirements, the findings from your research, and a clear recommendation for the most suitable credit lending solution. This proposal is then presented for interim approval by the Credit Manager, with subsequent escalation for further necessary endorsements.

Furthermore, the role involves recommending risk-mitigating, value-added insurance products to be integrated into finance agreements. These recommendations aim to bolster financial security for both the bank and the client. You will actively facilitate the commercial asset finance credit sanctioning process, responding to queries and potentially presenting and championing credit applications at relevant Credit Committee meetings. Maintaining relevant management information systems and monitoring exposures are also key duties. Proactive management of credit risks, particularly in commercial asset finance importation transactions, is paramount. This includes preparing reviews, amendments, and new applications for appropriate lending authorities, as well as coordinating valuations for movable and immovable assets that serve as security for finance facilities.

Effective stakeholder engagement is vital. This involves close liaison with Asset Finance Consultants, Relationship Executives, clients, and other relevant parties to understand application requirements and ensure smooth processing. Gathering financial information, such as financial statements and cash flows, from clients is often a necessary step. You will utilise applicable software to assess this financial data before submitting it for processing and updating internal systems. Collaboration with product specialists to incorporate their reports into the application process is also expected. Continuous monitoring of credit lines and ensuring timely completion of formal reviews or arranged extensions are ongoing responsibilities. Relationship management extends to accompanying Relationship Executives on client visits to gather financial intelligence and deepen understanding of the credit process, and liaising with Group Legal to prepare master agreements. In specific circumstances, the Business Analyst may be required to sign asset-based finance credit agreements and provide necessary FAIS advice. Compliance with all bank credit policies and relevant legislation is non-negotiable, with any policy breaches requiring prompt and suitable mitigation. Adherence to commercial asset finance target market criteria and addressing any deviations are also essential.

To be successful in this role, a BCom degree in Accounting and Finance, or an equivalent qualification (NQF level 7), is required. A solid understanding of credit risk models and their implications within the broader risk environment is essential, as is the ability to effectively assess and interpret annual financial statements.

Minimum requirements:

• BCom Degree in Accounting and Finance or Equivalent. (NQF7).
• Understanding of Credit Risk Models and their impact within Risk Environment. 
• Understanding, Assessment and Interpretation of Annual Financial Statements. 

Education

Bachelors Degree and Professional Qualifications: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised