CHIKA OHAJUNWA
Benicia,CA
Summary
Strategic operations and business leader with extensive experience driving performance, governance, and financial oversight within complex, regulated environments. Demonstrated success managing multi-million-dollar portfolios, strengthening internal controls, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver operational efficiency and sustainable growth. Known for disciplined execution, data-driven decision-making, and building scalable processes that enhance organizational performance and accountability.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Head, Business Development
Heritage Bank PLC
Lagos, Nigeria
04.2023 - 06.2023
- Appointed Regional Head with oversight of a multi-branch commercial banking network, providing strategic direction across business development, credit performance, and deposit mobilization initiatives.
- Delivered immediate commercial impact within first 60 days, driving incremental growth in low-cost CASA balances and strengthening regional liquidity position.
- Initiated deposit mix optimization strategy to improve funding efficiency and reduce reliance on high-cost term deposits.
- Directed cross-functional collaboration between relationship management and risk teams to accelerate credit structuring and pipeline execution across SME and commercial segments.
- Strengthened sales governance and performance accountability across branch leadership and 50+ relationship managers.
- Activated sector-focused acquisition strategy targeting SME, trade, and public sector accounts to stimulate near-term revenue pipeline growth.
- Reinforced regulatory and compliance discipline in alignment with oversight from regulatory authorities, ensuring adherence to risk and documentation standards.
- Initiated portfolio quality review and early-stage recovery engagement to mitigate delinquency exposure and improve asset performance visibility.
- Accelerated digital channel promotion across branches, supporting client migration to electronic and mobile banking platforms.
Business Development Branch Manager
Heritage Bank PLC
Lagos, Nigeria
03.2021 - 03.2023
- Spearheaded regional business development initiatives on branch strategy, budgeting, and performance planning, and managed full branch P&L of over $3.5M portfolio, driving consistent revenue and balance sheet growth.
- Generated new business through active market outreach, community engagement, and relationship management, expanding the branch customer base.
- Strengthened loan recovery efforts, improving repayment performance and reducing non-performing loans.
- Drove growth in non-interest income through digital banking, and transactional products.
- Directed branch operations, financial controls, and regulatory compliance for a multi-million-dollar banking portfolio.
- Oversaw cash management, reconciliations, and transaction processing to ensure accuracy and audit readiness.
- Enforced KYC/AML standards and maintained full compliance with regulatory and internal audit requirements.
- Monitored branch expenses and profitability, ensuring sound financial stewardship.
- Supervised cross-functional team of 15 staff by setting performance expectations and monitored KPIs to ensure productivity and accountability, while providing ongoing training and mentoring to strengthen sales, product knowledge capabilities, service quality and operational efficiency.
Team Lead, Payment Systems
Heritage Bank PLC
Lagos Nigeria
10.2019 - 02.2021
- Led strategic partnerships with fintech companies to expand digital payment channels and transaction outlets for the bank.
- Identified and onboarded new transfer platforms to increase customer access to electronic payment services.
- Drove growth in transaction volume by integrating fintech solutions aligned with SME and retail customer needs.
- Negotiated service terms and partnership agreements to ensure profitability and operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with internal operations and IT teams to ensure seamless platform integration and transaction settlement.
- Supported compliance alignment for partner integrations in accordance with guidelines issued by regulatory authorities.
Compliance Officer
Heritage Bank PLC
Lagos, Nigeria
10.2019 - 02.2021
- Strengthened transaction monitoring processes to detect and prevent fraud and money laundering activities in relation to AML/CFT and conformity with regulatory laws.
- Conducted regular audits to identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions.
- Participated in organized training programs for personnel at all levels to provide regulatory updates to improve strategic and operational performance in identifying and reporting potential risks.
- Participated in the creation and implementation of compliance risk assessment technology product with software developers.
- Modified customer BVN information as Sole Bank Interface with NIBBS (Nigerian Interbank Settlement System).
- Reviewed customer accounts and transactions to enforce KYC and AML requirements.
- Investigated suspicious transactions and escalated findings in line with established reporting protocols.
- Coordinated responses to internal and external audit findings, ensuring timely resolution of compliance issues.
- Maintained accurate regulatory documentation and compliance records for audit readiness.
- Provided compliance advisory support to branch management and operational teams.
- Collaborated with operations and risk teams to improve governance and compliance culture to ensure accuracy.
Regional Operations Manager
Heritage Bank PLC
Lagos, Nigeria
06.2014 - 12.2016
- Directed end-to-end operational oversight for 20 branches across the region, ensuring standardized processes, service efficiency, regulatory compliance and overseeing a customer deposit portfolio of $30.7m annual volume.
- Supervised branch operations managers and support teams to maintain strong internal controls, transaction accuracy, and cash management integrity.
- Ensured full compliance with regulatory requirements issued by the regulatory authorities and internal governance policies.
- Monitored regional operational risk exposure, implementing corrective action plans to address audit findings, control deficiencies reconciliation processes.
- Partnered with Risk, Compliance, IT, and Finance teams to support system upgrades, policy changes, and regulatory initiatives.
- Managed regional operating expenses, budgets and cost-control initiatives to improve overall profitability.
- Provided leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to branch operations teams across the region to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Head of Branch Operations
Spring Bank PLC/Enterprise Bank Limited
Lagos, Nigeria
02.2006 - 05.2014
- Managed comprehensive branch operations and internal controls, ensuring efficient transaction processing, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance and reducing operational risks.
- Oversaw cash management, vault operations, teller services, and daily balancing to safeguard assets and maintain financial accuracy overseeing a customer deposit portfolio exceeding $6.5M annual volume.
- Ensured strict adherence to regulatory requirements issued by the regulatory authorities and internal governance policies.
- Supervised reconciliation of general ledger accounts, suspense accounts, and settlement postings to ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Coordinated internal and external audit engagements, ensuring prompt closure of findings and maintaining audit readiness.
- Monitored operational performance metrics, service turnaround times, and compliance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
- Led and trained operations staff, enhancing productivity, accountability, and process discipline.
- Managed branch operating expenses, budget and resource allocation to maintain cost efficiency.
- Streamlined operational workflows to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Operations Officer
Citizens Int'l Bank Limited
Lagos, Nigeria
10.1998 - 01.2006
- Processed and monitored daily branch customers transactions, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely system posting.
- Performed reconciliation of general ledger, suspense, and settlement accounts to identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Managed cash operations including vault balancing, teller oversight, and end-of-day cash proofing.
- Reviewed and verified customer account documentation to ensure compliance with KYC and AML requirements.
- Supported implementation of regulatory guidelines issued by the regulatory authorities.
- Investigated and resolved transaction exceptions, failed transfers, and posting errors within defined turnaround times.
- Maintained accurate operational records to ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
- Monitored adherence to internal policies and escalated control breaches to management.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates by addressing concerns promptly and efficiently resolving issues.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Jos
NigeriaSkills
- Multi-Branch Operational Management
- Operational Risk Management
- Cost Optimization Strategies
- Cross Functional Collaboration
- Regulatory Compliance and Governance
- KYC / AML
- Strategic Thinking / Planning
- Performance Management
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Executive Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Continuous Improvement
Certification
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Intuit Academy Bookkeeping
- Project Management Professional (PMP) - In Progress
Project Management Institute
Expected Completion: October 2026
Timeline
Regional Head, Business Development
Heritage Bank PLC
04.2023 - 06.2023
Business Development Branch Manager
Heritage Bank PLC
03.2021 - 03.2023
Team Lead, Payment Systems
Heritage Bank PLC
10.2019 - 02.2021
Compliance Officer
Heritage Bank PLC
10.2019 - 02.2021
Regional Operations Manager
Heritage Bank PLC
06.2014 - 12.2016
Head of Branch Operations
Spring Bank PLC/Enterprise Bank Limited
02.2006 - 05.2014
Operations Officer
Citizens Int'l Bank Limited
10.1998 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Jos