SME Relationship Officer- Nationwide

Job Description: SME Relationship Officer

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Industry: Microfinance Banking

Employment Type: Full‑time

About the Client
Our client is an innovative and fully licensed microfinance bank located in Ajah, Lagos, committed to empowering small and medium‑sized enterprises through accessible credit, financial advisory, and digital banking solutions. The bank is expanding its SME lending portfolio and seeks a performance‑driven SME Relationship Officer to deepen market penetration, strengthen portfolio quality, and support sustainable business growth.

Role Overview
The SME Relationship Officer is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, disbursing, and managing SME loans while maintaining excellent portfolio quality. The role requires strong credit analysis skills, deep understanding of SME business models, and the ability to build long‑term relationships with business owners. The ideal candidate is target‑driven, analytical, and experienced in SME lending within a microfinance or commercial banking environment.

Key Responsibilities
1. Business Development & Client Acquisition: Identify, prospect, and onboard viable SME clients within assigned markets. Conduct field visits, business assessments, and market mapping to generate quality leads. Build strong relationships with SME owners, traders, and business clusters.

2. Credit Evaluation & Loan Processing: Conduct detailed credit appraisals, cash‑flow analysis, and risk assessments. Prepare loan proposals and ensure complete documentation for approval. Ensure fast and accurate turnaround time from application to disbursement.

3. Portfolio Management: Monitor loan performance and ensure timely repayment of SME loans. Conduct periodic business visits to assess financial health and repayment capacity. Maintain a high‑quality loan portfolio with minimal delinquency.

4. Loan Recovery & Delinquency Control: Follow up on overdue accounts and implement structured recovery strategies. Engage clients through calls, visits, and repayment reminders. Maintain low PAR and NPL ratios through proactive monitoring.

5. Reporting & Compliance: Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports on loan performance and portfolio status. Ensure compliance with internal credit policies and regulatory guidelines. Maintain accurate and updated client records in the bank's systems.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured based on:

• Loan Disbursement Volume: Achievement of monthly and quarterly SME loan targets.
• Portfolio Quality: Low PAR (Portfolio at Risk) and NPL (Non‑Performing Loan) ratios.
• Loan Repayment Rate: Percentage of SME loans repaid on schedule.
• Number of Active Borrowers: Growth and retention of SME clients.
• Recovery Rate: Effectiveness in recovering overdue or defaulted SME loans.
• Turnaround Time: Speed and accuracy of loan processing and disbursement.

• Qualifications & Requirements
• OND/HND/BSc in Finance, Business, Economics, or related field.
• 2–4 years' experience in SME lending within a microfinance bank or commercial bank.
• Strong knowledge of SME business models, cash‑flow cycles, and credit risk.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and customer‑relationship skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet aggressive targets.
• Must reside in Ajah or be willing to work within the Ajah axis.

• Skilled at building trust with SME owners and understanding their business realities.
• Strong in credit analysis, risk evaluation, and financial assessment.
• Target‑driven, persistent, and comfortable working in the field.
• Excellent at managing relationships and maintaining portfolio discipline.
• Organized, analytical, and able to manage multiple clients simultaneously.
• Passionate about supporting SME growth and financial inclusion.