SVP/FVP Credit Approver

Introduction

Since 1973, East West Bank has served as a pathway to success. With over 110 locations across the U.S. and Asia, we are the premier financial bridge between the East and West. Our teams of experienced, multi-cultural professionals help guide businesses and community members on both sides of the Pacific looking to explore new markets and create new opportunities, and our sustained growth and expertise in industries like real estate, entertainment and media, private equity and venture capital, and high-tech help build sustainable businesses and expand our associates’ potential for career advancement. 

Headquartered in California, East West Bank (Nasdaq: EWBC) is a top-performing commercial bank with a strong foundation, an enterprising spirit and a commitment to absolute integrity. East West Bank gives people the confidence to reach further.

Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Credit Approver to join our Hong Kong Branch’s risk management team. The primary mandate of this role is Commercial Banking credit approval. You will act as an independent decision-maker, exercising delegated lending authority to underwrite facilities for corporates and commercial clients.

While the Bank operates without a retail network, we maintain a robust Private Banking (PB) franchise. Consequently, the role may also involve reviewing selected PB-connected structures. Extensive Corporate/Wholesale credit experience is the core requirement; deep PB expertise is highly desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Credit Approval: Serve as a Credit Approver within delegated authority. Review new facilities, renewals, enhancements, annual reviews, waivers, covenant breaches and rating for mid-to-large corporates, SMEs, and PB clients. Ensure adherence to the Bank’s risk appetite, credit policies, and HKMA regulations.

• Deal Structuring & Challenge: Critically assess RM proposals and engage in constructive discussions. Challenge assumptions and advise on improvements regarding pricing, tenor, financial covenants, and collateral requirements for bilateral/syndicated loans, working capital, trade finance, and portfolio financing.

• Post-Loan Monitoring & Periodical Review: Conduct ongoing portfolio monitoring and periodic reviews. Monitor compliance with financial and non-financial covenants. Review the adequacy of collateral valuations. Identify early warning signals as 2LOD and recommend appropriate watch-list actions or remedial measures for deteriorating accounts.

• Private Banking Interface (Plus): Review credit applications originating from the Private Banking, focusing on Lombard lending/Portfolio Financing (securities/portfolio-backed), single stock financing, insurance policy financing for HNW individual clients. Assess collateral liquidity, LTV haircuts, and margin-call mechanisms.

• Portfolio Management & Governance: Maintain portfolio quality within assigned limits. Ensure timely rating migration, provisioning exercise, and impairment assessments. Contribute to the development and refinement of credit policies and SOPs. Actively participate in the Branch Credit Committee meetings.

• Stakeholder Management: Partner closely with Relationship Managers (RMs), Compliance, Product and Operations. Provide upfront structuring advice to facilitate deal execution while maintaining independent risk oversight.

• Other Duties: Undertake any other ad-hoc responsibilities or assignments as directed by Management.

Qualifications

• Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. Professional certifications (CPA, CFA, FRM, or HKIB ECF) are highly advantageous.

• Core Experience:

• FVP Level: Min. 12–15 years of extensive experience, with a strong track record of independent credit approval within a delegated authority framework and managing complex corporate/commercial portfolios, handling NPL/remedial situations, and presenting to Credit Committees.
• SVP Level: Min. 20+ years of extensive experience with a strong track record of independent credit approval within a delegated authority framework and managing complex corporate/commercial portfolios, handling NPL/remedial situations, and presenting to Credit Committees.
• Demonstrable expertise in financial statement analysis, cash flow modeling, accounting red-flag detection, and collateral valuation (Real Estate, Receivables, Inventory).

• Experience (Plus): Prior exposure to Private Banking Credit, specifically Lombard/Margin Lending, HNW entrepreneur-shareholder facilities.

• Knowledge: Sound knowledge of HKMA SPM guidelines, connected lending rules, large exposure limits, and AML/KYC principles. Familiarity with IFRS 9 / Expected Credit Loss (ECL) concepts.

• Language & Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Proficiency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin is highly preferred for local market coverage.
• Ability to communicate complex risk issues clearly and diplomatically to stakeholders and senior management.