Certificate in Lending Skills

The Certificate in Lending Skills is a bespoke qualification developed in collaboration with NatWest Commercial Banking and awarded by the Chartered Banker Institute. The overall aim of this Lending Skills programme at Certificate level is to develop the skills required to interpret financial and non-financial information, and apply these techniques to credit assessment. It helps learners develop the core skills required to effectively support customers and to understand how it feels to stand in their shoes. Specific focus is placed on the skills required to allow learners to fully understand a customer’s business and future plans by gathering information through effective dialogue and questioning. On completion of this Lending Skills programme, learners are able to: Use financial and non-financial information to identify risk factors and mitigants, and evaluate the effectiveness of the business from the perspective of both the customer and the bank. Assess the quality of the customer’s management team and identify knowledge and skills gaps. Critically evaluate financial information and key financial indicators to identify business trends and assess risk factors. Analyse repayment capacity by calculating and interpreting cash flow statements and critically evaluating budgets and forecasts. Assess information from internal and external sources to monitor business performance, identify potential problems and propose action to address these. Differentiate between financing options and offer funding structures most appropriate to the needs of the customer’s business. Determine and clearly articulate a balanced credit decision, including appropriate conditions.