Head of SME Banking

Industry: Banking

Job Summary

Our client is an International Commercial Bank seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to lead its SME Banking business. The role will focus on building a scalable, disciplined, and profitable SME franchise that supports the Bank's broader Business Banking ecosystem across SME, Corporate & Commercial, and Transaction Banking.

The Head of SME Banking will be responsible for driving structured portfolio growth, improving portfolio quality, expanding client acquisition channels, and developing sustainable lending and transaction banking solutions. The role will also contribute to strengthening the Bank's CASA base and recurring fee income streams through integrated client engagement strategies.

Main Responsibilities:

Portfolio Development & Growth

• Build and expand the SME portfolio with focus on secured lending and selective cashflow-based lending.
• Define SME segment strategies, target sectors, ticket sizes, and risk segmentation.
• Drive sustainable portfolio growth with strong risk-adjusted returns.

Scalable Business Development

• Develop scalable acquisition channels and RM-lite/digital engagement models.
• Improve distribution productivity and reduce dependency on relationship-only origination.
• Strengthen customer acquisition efficiency and portfolio scalability.

Product & Program Management

• Develop SME solutions including supply chain finance, merchant financing, and working capital products.
• Build sector-focused and ecosystem-based lending programs.
• Enhance cross-selling opportunities with Transaction Banking products and services.

Credit & Risk Collaboration

• Partner with Risk teams to improve scorecard-based underwriting and credit assessment models.
• Utilize alternative data and cashflow analysis to improve lending decisions.
• Support faster turnaround times and stronger consistency in credit approvals.

Business Integration & Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate closely with Corporate Banking and Transaction Banking teams.
• Support client graduation strategies and supply chain ecosystem linkages.
• Drive holistic client engagement beyond traditional lending products.

Main Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Banking, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 15–20 years of experience in SME or Business Banking.
• Strong experience in portfolio building, SME business scaling, and secured lending.
• Exposure to program-based lending and ecosystem financing models.
• Proven leadership experience with strong team management capability.
• Strong understanding of SME credit, portfolio segmentation, and business banking operations.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in the Cambodian banking market is highly preferred.

Key Success Indicators

• Growth in SME portfolio with improved portfolio quality and risk profile.
• Increased secured lending mix and stronger customer acquisition efficiency.
• Improved CASA growth and fee income contribution from SME clients.
• Strong integration between SME, Corporate, and Transaction Banking businesses.