CHRISTOPHER JAMES
Chaguanas
Summary
Extensive background in financial services with nearly 20 years dedicated to loan and credit analysis, risk assessment, and quality control. Proven track record in evaluating multi-million dollar proposals and maintaining compliance with lending policies. Achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency within lending practices.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR CREDIT ANALYST
REPUBLIC BANK LTD
2025 - Current
- Analyzed proposals (over $30M - $45M) from corporate division and subsidiaries to identify weaknesses and trends in financial and business risk.
- Analyzed proposals (over $2M to $30M), exception reports, and data from branches, corporate division, and subsidiaries to identify weaknesses and trends in financial and business risk.
- To ensure that advances made are in conformity with the bank's lending policies/Central Bank's guidelines and all legal requirements.
- To ensure that advances are consistent with sound banking principles and to provide a superior level of services to the bank's various Lending Units and subsidiaries.
- Ensured proposed security for advances was adequate and watertight, safeguarding the bank's interests.
- To make sound recommendations and draft replies on Proposals/other correspondence for review/action by respective managers for submission to Branches within two - five working days and within one working day where the request is urgent.
CREDIT ANALYST
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2020 - 2025
- Analyzes, evaluates, and examines specific loan accounts to determine whether the approval and post loan administration processes conform to the Group's operating standards.
- Prepared annual On-site Monitor Schedule to assess Branch/Unit credit functions and provided monthly updates to Management on exercise status.
- Conducted site visits (On-site Monitor Exercise) to Network to monitor compliance and recommend remedial actions.
- Analyzes the monthly delinquency statistics to identify trends and reviews the internal Arrears Management Process to determine the effectiveness of the system.
- Reviews and analyzes an average of three thousand, six hundred (3,600) exceptions with a value of three hundred and sixty million dollars ($360M) in each financial year.
- Approves and evaluates supporting documentation/evidence submitted by the Branch/Unit for the correction of outstanding exceptions being reported.
- Evaluates a sample of branch/unit approved credit applications and provides technical advice/recommendations to the Manager on anomalies/issues identified.
- Reviews the Overdraft Management Reports at the Branch/Unit to ensure compliance with standard operating guidelines and best practices.
- Analyzes the monthly delinquency statistics to identify trends and reviews the internal Arrears Management Process to determine the effectiveness of the system.
- Performs an analysis of the Branch/Unit Expired Reviews to determine the status and number of accounts expired and what action plans are being implemented.
- Followed up monthly with Network on implementation of corrective measures and submitted report on status of outstanding exceptions to Line Manager for further submission to Cluster Office and Senior Management.
- Evaluates and reviews outstanding exceptions for the network to ascertain corrective action and feedback by the Branch/Unit on efforts to rectify these exceptions.
- Approves and evaluates supporting documentation/evidence submitted by the Branch/Unit for the correction of outstanding exceptions being reported.
ACCOUNT OFFICER
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2015 - 2019
- Review the relevant reports of all non-performing accounts and investigates the nature of delinquency.
- Liaise with the Unit Manager regarding accounts warranting legal action and security disposal.
- Assists in scrutinizing newly assigned accounts to ensure adherence to proper procedures and to detect any evidence of improper credit granting/collections practices.
- Recommend the best course of action to pursue on enforcement of registered Judgments.
- Prepare and submit for approval proposals for sale of repossessed properties and vehicles.
- Conduct site visits to identify and locate real estate/vehicles mortgaged to the bank.
- Prepare site visit reports and valuate estimates on items mortgaged to the bank.
- Liaise with valuators, attorneys, surveyors, real estate agents, bailiffs and other external agents where applicable.
- Conduct site visits to locate and report on Means and Assets of borrowers on delinquent accounts.
- Prepare site visit reports and valuation estimates on items mortgaged to the bank.
- Prepare and submit CCMRs, CCWRs, Collections Reports and other reports as required by the Unit Manager.
- Achieve monthly targets in key performance areas in keeping with Department Budget.
- Design, implement and follow up on collection strategies, CCMR Action Plans and other relevant target dates to achieve execution of strategies.
CSR ARREARS
FIRST CITIZENS
2014 - 2015
- Maintains a portfolio of arrears accounts (31-89 days) while ensuring monthly targets are met in keeping with departmental objectives.
- Prepares and submits CCMR's, Daily Transaction Sheets and other various statistical reports for review by supervisor.
- Engages in follow up on collection strategies, CCMR Action Plans and other relevant target dates in mitigating escalation of arrears.
- Liaises with bailiffs, insurers, customers' employers, and other parties in matters relating to the validation of information.
- Collects / verifies cash/cheque payments from customers under dual custody before issuing a related receipt and makes the relevant payment to the respective accounts.
- Accompanies staff on site visits to delinquent customers' locations (existing/new address, office, etc.) to validate/identify/locate etc., customer/information in an attempt to recover arrears within the assigned portfolio and prepares a related site visit report.
- Identifies accounts anticipated to go into non-performing and recommends and implements action plans to prevent further decline into delinquency.
DEPOSIT CLERK
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2008 - 2014
- Executed customer transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, money orders and checks.
- Prepared, sorted, and distributed cash reports to appropriate branches.
- Rapidly and efficiently prepared customer and ATM cash and change orders.
- Coordinated daily cash reconciliation at a high-volume location.
Education
Master of International Business -
UWI Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business
08-2021
Professional Certificate for Financial Advisors - Banking Specialization
Institute of Banking & Finance Trinidad & Tobago
07-2017
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration -
University of Herfordshire
07-2014
Associate of Science in Management -
UWI School of Business & Applied Studies (ROYTEC)
11-2013
Skills
- Time Management
- Loan/Credit analysis
- Quality control analysis
- Analytical
- Administration
- Judgment and decision making
- Risk assessment
- Financial statement review
- Cash flow analysis
Accomplishments
- Employee of the Quarter First Citizens Bank CCMU: 01/2015 and 10/2017.
- Participated in the closing ceremony of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup in Barbados as a member of a Steel Orchestra.
- Represented Trinidad and Tobago in the 2007 T/Twenty Cricket World Cup in South Africa where I showcased our national instrument.
Training
- Credit Assessment & Proposal Writing, 2024, Institute of Banking & Finance of Trinidad & Tobago
- Supervisory Skills, 2022, SBCS Global Learning Institute
Timeline
SENIOR CREDIT ANALYST
REPUBLIC BANK LTD
2025 - Current
CREDIT ANALYST
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2020 - 2025
ACCOUNT OFFICER
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2015 - 2019
CSR ARREARS
FIRST CITIZENS
2014 - 2015
DEPOSIT CLERK
FIRST CITIZENS BANK
2008 - 2014
Master of International Business -
UWI Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business
Professional Certificate for Financial Advisors - Banking Specialization
Institute of Banking & Finance Trinidad & Tobago
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration -
University of Herfordshire
Associate of Science in Management -
UWI School of Business & Applied Studies (ROYTEC)