The Head of SME Credit is a senior role within MMBL's Credit function, responsible for underwriting standards, portfolio quality and credit decisioning across the Bank's SME and microenterprise lending book. The role owns SME-specific credit assessment methodology, the Bank's AI-based lending approach for SME/microenterprise underwriting, including alternate-data credit scoring solutions for thin-file borrowers delegated approval authority and portfolio monitoring. The incumbent works closely with Business/SME Sales, Product and Technology teams to grow the SME book responsibly within the Bank's risk appetite, SBP's regulatory framework for SME and microenterprise financing, and SBP's Digital Banking Framework 2022.
• Own end-to-end credit assessment and decisioning for the Bank's SME and microenterprise lending portfolio, ensuring underwriting is consistent with Bank policy, SBP's SME/microenterprise prudential framework, and approved risk appetite.
• Define and maintain SME-specific credit assessment methodology - covering business cash flow analysis, collateral/security assessment where applicable, and borrower due diligence — appropriate to the informal and semi-formal nature of much of the SME segment.
• Define and lead the Bank's AI-based lending approach for SME/microenterprise credit — evaluating and deploying AI/ML solutions and alternate-data scoring (transaction history, utility/telco data, digital footprint) for thin-file borrowers where traditional financials are unavailable, with appropriate model governance and human oversight.
• Hold and exercise delegated credit approval authority for SME lending within the Bank's approved authority matrix, chairing or participating in SME credit committee reviews for larger exposures.
• Monitor SME portfolio quality on an ongoing basis - NPL ratio, vintage curves, sector/geographic concentration, collateral coverage and AI/ML scoring model performance — and translate findings into underwriting, model or policy adjustments in coordination with the Head of Policy.
• Partner with Business/SME Sales teams on portfolio growth strategy, target segments and risk-adjusted pricing for SME products, ensuring credit risk considerations are embedded in commercial planning rather than applied only at approval stage.
• Work with Product and Technology teams on the digitisation of SME lending journeys and AI-based decisioning solutions, in support of the Bank's DRB transition and consistent with SBP's Digital Banking Framework 2022.
• Own collateral/security documentation standards for secured SME facilities and coordinate with Legal and Credit Administration on perfection and monitoring of security.
• Work with Collections/SAM on early-warning triggers and recovery strategy for delinquent SME accounts, including restructuring and rescheduling decisions within policy.
• Ensure SME credit processes, AI/ML model documentation and decisioning logic are audit- and SBP-inspection-ready, and act as the SME credit point of contact for Internal Audit, Compliance and regulatory reviews.
• Provide credit training and guidance to SME sales and relationship teams to ensure consistent, Bank-wide application of SME credit policy.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• 8–12 years of progressive experience in SME/business credit risk or underwriting roles within a bank, including at least 3–4 years in a portfolio ownership or leadership capacity.
• Strong working knowledge of SBP's regulatory framework for SME and microenterprise financing and SBP's Digital Banking Framework 2022, including prudential exposure limits and applicable due diligence standards.
• Demonstrated experience assessing informal/semi-formal business cash flows and structuring appropriately secured or unsecured SME facilities.
• Demonstrated experience with AI/ML-based or alternate-data credit scoring solutions for thin-file SME borrowers, including model governance and monitoring.
• Professional certifications such as FRM, CRC or equivalent credit/risk qualifications are an advantage.
Essential Skills
• Strong SME credit underwriting judgement, comfortable assessing informal and semi-formal business financials.
• Ability to translate portfolio performance data into concrete underwriting, sector-limit and policy changes.
• Working understanding of collateral/security structuring and SME-appropriate digital credit assessment.
• Effective stakeholder management across Business/Sales, Product, Technology, Legal, Compliance and Audit.
• Clear written communication for credit papers, committee memos and regulatory submissions.
• Commercial awareness balanced with credit discipline, able to support responsible portfolio growth.
Job Locations:
Head Office
About MMBL:
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd. is providing banking services to over 48 million registered users including 20+ million monthly active customers across Pakistan. With a hybrid model that combines traditional microfinance with mobile/digital banking technologies, the bank now operates with over 114 branches and 270,000 branchless banking agents and provides a USSD (GSM) based digital channel offering savings, micro enterprise (MSME) loans, small housing loans, remittances, collection (utility bills and loan installments), mobile wallets, insurance, G2P, B2B & B2P payments; thus, playing a leading role in the promotion of financial inclusion.
MMBL is committed to fostering a positive and productive workplace, and our core values reflect this focus. These values include promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging teamwork and collaboration, and prioritizing a customer-centric approach in all aspects of our business.
Why Join MMBL ?
This is an opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference and playing a key role in driving transformative change. Our team is committed to empowering millions with the tools necessary to succeed in the digital age, and we're looking for a talented individual to join us in this endeavor.