Advanced Diploma in Lending Skills

The Advanced Diploma 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 Advanced Diploma level is to help learners enhance their credit skills by applying credit knowledge to challenge customer assumptions, assess the performance of businesses and demonstrate judgment to make informed decisions. Specific focus is placed on the skills required to allow learners to fully assess the creditworthiness of a customer and their business, taking into consideration current and future market and sector expectations. On completion of this Lending Skills programme, learners are able to: • assess the performance and creditworthiness of a business, taking current and expected economic, market and sector factors into consideration • critically evaluate the robustness of cash flow as the principal source of repayment with reference to audited accounts, management information and suitable forecasts • use a cash flow model, challenge key business assumptions and undertake sensitivity analysis to quantify sustainable debt repayment capacity in the context of business strategy and market conditions • present a critical analysis of financial and non-financial information to identify the key risks inherent in the customer’s lending proposition • propose a suitable funding structure (including appropriate conditions, security and covenants) that mitigates risk and meets the needs of both the customer and the bank • critically reflect on your ability to assess the performance and creditworthiness of a business.