Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed to meet the needs of:
- All staff working in retail branch banking who wish to move into lending, either personal or small business. Previous lending experience is not essential.
- SME relationship managers and their lending portfolio support staffs who want to build on their existing skill base and move on to the next level.
- Credit underwriters working in the frontline or in a credit department setting.
- Loan administration and credit policy officers.
- Credit review staff who are responsible for ensuring that lending and credit delivery standards are complied with.
- Internal audit staff who assess whether the credit management standards are fit for purpose and are being complied with.
- Marketing staff who design and promote credit products.
- Financial Control staff with responsibility for budget setting, capital allocation, financial performance evaluation and financial/regulatory reporting.
How you will benefit
At the end of the programme, you will be able to:
- Understand the main features and characteristics of SMEs in Northern Ireland.
- Understand financial accounts and how to use them to support lending decisions.
- Evaluate the commercial viability and sustainability of SME’s and management’s ability to deliver.
- Present a lending proposal in a manner which meets the needs of the personal or SME borrower and complies with credit policies.
- Describe the key funding sources available to SMEs.
- Manage and negotiate with borrowers.
- Describe the personal credit products available.
- Understand the different types of security.
- Understand the different types of credit monitoring controls.
- Identify the early signs of credit deterioration for personal and SME customers, evaluate their potential impact and consider courses of action.
- Effectively manage the client-bank relationship through the life of the credit facility to support the customer and protect the bank.
Curriculum
You study three modules:
- Principles of Credit Assessment (5 ECTS)
- Credit Application Negotiation, Documentation and Financing Alternatives (5 ECTS)
- Monitoring and Identifying Early Warning Signs of Financial Distress (5 ECTS)
Award
When you successfully complete this programme you will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Personal and Business Credit from UCD.
Delivery
Online and workshops
Assessment
- End of semester examination
- Written, essay-style questions
- Exam duration: 120 minutes
The pass mark is 40% in all modules in line with UCD academic policy.
Entry Requirements
The second level educational requirements for entry to the Professional Certificate in Personal and Business Credit are as follows:
- Five passes in the Leaving Certificate, including English and Mathematics, or
- Five O Level/GCSE passes, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Institute will also consider applications on a mature candidate basis from applicants who are 23 years of age before the date of their application for admission to the programme.
Fees
€475 per module
Professional Body Membership
You must be a current member of the Institute or become a member, to undertake this programme.
Membership is currently €40 per calendar year.