(Associate) Relationship Manager, SME Lending & Ecosystem(A04133)

ZA; Hong Kong Island; On-site; HKD 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

ZA is seeking an experienced Relationship Manager for its Commercial Banking team in Hong Kong. You will manage a mid-sized SME portfolio with facilities from HKD 10–50 million, providing tailored financing and banking solutions to help clients grow.

You will also conduct annual credit reviews and pursue new business through strategic networking and referrals. The role requires strong credit analysis skills, familiarity with SME lending products, and fluency in English plus Cantonese/Mandarin.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Banking, Economics, or related fields.
• At least 2 years of frontline Relationship Management experience in SME Banking; exposure to trade finance facilities and revolving loans.
• Strong SME financing, credit analysis, and risk assessment experience.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage and expand a portfolio of mid-sized SME clients in Commercial Banking.
• Perform annual credit reviews and recommend facility renewals or restructuring.
• Acquire new SME clients through networking, referrals, and outreach.
• Handle end-to-end credit processes including analyses and credit applications.
• Foster long-term client relationships and identify cross-sell opportunities across deposits, trade finance, FX, payments, and cash management.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure seamless onboarding and loan processing.
• Maintain compliance with bank policies and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Relationship Management

SME Banking

Credit Analysis

Lending Knowledge

Business Development

Cross-sell

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance

Tools

Excel/Spreadsheets

Job description

• Proactively manage and expand a portfolio of mid-sized SME clients in Commercial Banking, focusing on facilities ranging from HKD 10-50 million, by delivering customized financing and banking solutions that drive their growth.
• Perform thorough annual credit reviews, assessing repayment ability, compliance, and business performance to recommend facility renewals, enhancements, or restructuring as needed.
• Actively acquire new SME clients through strategic networking, business development initiatives, referrals, and targeted outreach.
• Handle end-to-end credit processes, including in-depth credit assessments, financial spreading and analysis, and preparation of high-quality credit applications in line with bank guidelines.
• Foster long-term client relationships by deeply understanding their business models, growth plans, cash flow needs, and identifying cross-sell opportunities across deposits, trade finance, FX, payments, and cash management products.
• Partner closely with internal teams (e.g., credit, operations, product specialists) to ensure seamless client onboarding, efficient loan processing, and superior ongoing service.
• Maintain strict compliance with bank policies, regulatory requirements, and risk management frameworks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Banking, Economics, or related fields.
• At least 2 years of frontline Relationship Management experience in SME Banking segment, with solid exposure to lending products—particularly trade finance facilities and revolving loans. (More experience will be considered for a manager role)
• Demonstrated expertise in SME financing structures, credit analysis, and risk assessment, ideally with direct experience managing portfolios involving HKD 10-50 million facilities.
• Proven ability to originate new business and grow existing relationships, supported by a track record of achieving acquisition and portfolio growth targets.
• Strong commercial acumen, customer-focused mindset, and excellent problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities; fluent in English and Cantonese/Mandarin.

Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme

Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme (MRC Scheme) may be applicable for certain relevant positions. It is a standardised reference-checking arrangement that is designed to support the integrity of "authorized institutions" regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Pursuant to the MRC scheme, our Bank will conduct a mandatory reference check by requesting information from each relevant former and current employer of applicants. For more details about the MRC Scheme, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Association of Banks: https://www.hkab.org.hk/en/page/5/mandatory-reference-checking-scheme-phase-2

Applicants who are not invited for an interview within the 8 weeks after submission of application may assume their applications unsuccessful. We may review applications received for suitability for other posts within the Company. All personal data provided will be treated in strict confidence and used strictly for recruitment related purposes only. We shall retain the personal data of unsuccessful applicants for a period of 24 months upon receipt of such application.