HSBC Group

Role Purpose

The Global Head of Banks, is responsible for overseeing credit risk for banks within the global portfolio. The role holder acts as the senior credit approval authority, ensuring that decisions align with HSBC’s risk appetite, regulatory requirements and credit policies.
The individual will oversee credit approvals for the portfolio with $443 bn risk limits and $94bn in exposure as at YE24, ensuring that counterparties meet the bank’s risk and return criteria. The role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders, including Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) and senior risk leadership (both CRCOs and regional Chief Credit Officers/heads of WCRM), to ensure a consistent and disciplined approach to credit risk management. The role holder will be expected to engage with key regulators and audit with regards to HSBC’s bank portfolio. They will also act as senior sponsor for HSBC’s banks models.

Principal Accountabilities 

• Acts as the senior global approval authority for all credit decisions relating to Banks
• Ensure approvals align with HSBC’s credit policies, risk appetite and regulatory expectations.
• Provide independent input and challenge to define the Global Business Risk Strategy and Risk Appetite (ensuring alignment with Group guidance)
• Act as the key regulatory and audit contact on behalf of WCRM as it relates to HSBC’s banks portfolio
• Provide specialist input and critical review and challenge in the model development for Banks
• Work closely with CIB teams to support business growth while maintaining risk discipline.
• Build a positive risk and compliance culture through communication and education on risk management and effective role modelling of risk capabilities and corporate values.
• Support HSBC strategy through a leadership accountability and provide input into strategic plans for the function, in line with designated responsibilities
• Create a high performance culture
• Engage with and enable the global WCRM team such that they can fully contribute to the wholesale business’ strategy.
• This role is an industry specialist role and will require close collaboration with Regional Chief Credit Officers and their teams.
• Engage with and enable the stakeholders such that they can contribute, influence and support where necessary.

Experience

Functional Knowledge Experience: 

• Extensive knowledge of credit risk assessment methodologies for banks and financial institutions. Demonstrate sound credit skills and judgment, with a proactive and flexible approach to coordinating the credit process and identifying risks, mitigants and solutions. Balancing a commercial and solution-driven mindset with a sound risks & controls attitude to the Bank’s balance sheet. Strong understanding of counterparty credit risk, including financial statement analysis, risk metrics and stress testing.
• 15+ years international experience in lending and providing other financial services to banks within a major bank.

External Environment & Regulatory Landscape:

• In-depth understanding of banking and sector risks, including capital adequacy, liquidity and funding risks.
• Knowledge of global regulatory capital requirements e.g. Basel III/ IFRS9, PRA and ECB guidelines

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills:

• To have held a leadership position, ideally within a global financial services organization.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills. Be able to establish credibility and trust with internal business and risk stakeholders in a short timeframe.
• Experience of building, developing and leading a sizeable team.
• Experience of managing within a complex matrix environment.
• Experience working across different countries and cultures.

Essential Capabilities 

Business Insight & Decision Quality: Applying knowledge of business and the market to make good and timely decisions that keeps the organization moving forward.
Optimises Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. 
Action Orientated: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
Persuasion & Conviction: Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others; stepping up to address difficult issues and saying what needs to be said.
Manages Ambiguity & Ensures Accountability: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear; holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.