JOSEPH BARAKAT
Lebanon
Summary
Results-driven banking and finance professional with a strong track record of success in credit risk management, financial analysis, and banking system management. Seeking a challenging role in a dynamic organization where I can leverage my expertise to formulate strategic credit risk initiatives, optimize financial performance, and drive organizational growth and success.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial consultant
Freelancer
03.2024 - Current
- Assist clients in proficiency managing cash flow, implementing strategies to enhance liquidity and financial stability
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and SWOT analysis to strengthen company's internal controls
- Act as an intermediary between the company and external auditors if necessary facilitating a seamless auditing process in order to decrease the audit expenses
- Prepare the forecasted financial statements for startups and SMEs (margin by item, ratio, horizontal and vertical analysis, balance sheet vs budget) in order to raise funds either through equity or debt
- Prepare financial models and valuation for companies through different techniques such as DCF, EBiTDA, enterprise value and book value
- Prepare feasibility studies for companies which include the market assessment, financial analysis, industry analysis and behavioral assessment
Risk+ Solutions
McKinsey & Co
03.2023 - 07.2023
- Company Overview: External consultant
- Collaborate with a leading international bank in the GCC (KSA) to develop the comprehensive Credit Engine Manual
- Play a pivotal role in formulating the Digital SME Policy for the international bank in GCC (KSA)
- Lead the development of the Corporate Credit Card Policy, aligning it with the bank's strategic goals and risk tolerance
- Assist in building the Credit Engine Model for the bank's digital product while defining risk weights, risk drivers, and thresholds to enhance risk management capabilities
- Advise the bank on risk mitigation strategies with the aim to minimize credit-related issues and losses
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders through regular and effective communication
- External consultant
Product Consultant
HOLCOM
11.2021 - 03.2023
- Manage the limit/collateral module on the Temenos system, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of limits and collateral positions
- Handle the securities module on the Temenos system, overseeing the complete lifecycle of securities transactions
- Collaborate closely with clients to understand their daily operational requirements regarding the limit/collateral and securities modules
- Provide timely and comprehensive support to address client inquiries, resolve issues, and facilitate seamless system utilization
- Play a pivotal role in Temenos system implementations by assisting the implementation team throughout the project lifecycle
- Conduct thorough testing of migrated data from legacy systems to the Temenos platform, ensuring data integrity and system readiness
- Proactively identify opportunities for system enhancements and process improvements to drive innovation and efficiency
Team Leader - Credit Risk
SARADAR BANK
04.2018 - 03.2021
- Provide guidance and mentorship to team members to enhance their skills and overall performance in day-to-day credit risk activities
- Work closely with the commercial team to align credit risk strategies with the bank's yearly targets, ensuring seamless integration between risk management and business objectives
- Build financial models for startup and SME companies to highlight their financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow) in addition to the value calculation of the company through different methods such as the discounted cash flow, EBITDA and book/liquidation value
- Conduct financial analysis: cash flow direct/indirect, P&L statement and balance sheet vertical and horizontal analysis, financial ratios (profitability, liquidity, debt and valuation) for SME and Corporate companies
- Generate periodic financial reports such as the aging of receivables, payables and inventory period to study the company's liquidity
- Conduct monthly performance reviews for team members, providing constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement
- Review commercial studies prepared by junior and senior officers, ensuring accuracy and compliance with risk assessment protocols
- Attend Credit Committee meetings and offer valuable insights and recommendations on credit risk assessment and decision-making processes
- Assist all commercial and retail units and branches across the organization, addressing their inquiries and providing expert guidance
- Orchestrate team meetings with a primary focus on setting clear targets, reviewing achievements, and collaboratively formulating a comprehensive commercial strategy that aligned with the bank's objectives
- Cultivate a high-performance culture within the team by motivating and inspiring members to consistently meet and exceed key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality standards
- Efficiently coordinate the daily allocation of work among team members, ensuring optimal resource utilization and timely completion of tasks
Senior Credit Risk Analyst
SARADAR BANK
01.2014 - 04.2018
- Manage and oversee the prime branch, which housed the largest portfolio within the bank, ensuring efficient risk assessment and management
- Conduct thorough evaluations of financial and monetary documents, statements, and credit applications to assess creditworthiness
- Develop pro-forma statements and cash flow projections to support accurate risk assessment and decision-making
- Maintain high-quality analysis for commercial files, resulting in the effective mitigation of bad debts and improved portfolio performance
- Pioneer the development of an Impairment model, ensuring compliance with BDL and BCCL circulars and enhancing the bank's risk management capabilities
- Generate monthly reports and create custom reports as requested by the risk management team, contributing to improved internal controls and informed decision-making
- Conduct comprehensive financial analysis for correspondent banks, facilitating strategic partnerships and risk assessment processes
- Address both internal and external audit requirements, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and internal policies
- Maintain compliance with BDL and BCCL requirements along with internal and external audits
- Create an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) calculation, providing crucial data to the marketing department, as required by central bank regulations
Internal Auditor
NEAR EAST COMMERCIAL BANKING
07.2011 - 01.2014
- Conduct comprehensive assessments and testing of the internal control systems, reviewing policies, procedures, and practices
- Thoroughly review and assess the adequacy of risk management procedures and methodologies
- Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities within the organization's operations and provide recommendations for risk mitigation strategies
- Evaluate the efficiency of daily operations within the organization, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and process optimization
- Scrutinize financial records and reports to ensure accuracy, reliability, and compliance with accounting standards and regulations
- Prepare comprehensive audit reports, summarizing findings, conclusions, and recommendations
Personal Banker
BYBLOS BANK
01.2010 - 07.2011
- Proficiently assess and execute consumer loan applications, ensuring meticulous analysis and adherence to regulatory guidelines
- Exceed predetermined sales objectives by effectively promoting and cross-selling an array of banking products and services to clients
- Seamlessly perform a wide spectrum of banking transactions, including but not limited to fund transfers, check deposits, and the issuance of banker's checks, consistently delivering outstanding customer service
- Conduct daily audits of the bank's vault and assess the performance of tellers, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, security, and compliance with internal protocols
Teller
BYBLOS BANK
11.2008 - 01.2010
- Facilitate the regular replenishment of ATMs to ensure uninterrupted access for customers
- Diligently monitor and maintain daily business administration records, including managing customer service telephone inquiries
- Demonstrate unwavering commitment to accuracy in executing all banking transactions
- Proficiently manage cash-flow operations, meticulously confirming daily and monthly cash balances to uphold financial integrity
Intern
06.2006 - 08.2006
- Assist senior bankers in conducting financial analysis, market research, and credit risk assessments to support investment decisions
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of client portfolios by monitoring market trends and analyzing performance
- Participate in client meetings and in addressing client inquiries and concerns, demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Play a key role in administrative tasks, such as document management, file organization, and data entry, ensuring smooth operation
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY - NDU
Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon01.2012
Bachelor's Degree - Banking & Finance
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY - NDU
Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon01.2008
Lebanese Baccalaureate II - Sociology & Economics
CENTRAL COLLEGE JOUNIEH - CCJ
Jounieh, Lebanon01.2004
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Outlook Express
- Temenos T24
- MIS Reporting Tool
- Research & Navigation
- Credit Risk Management
- Financial Analysis
- Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Relationship Management
- Credit Policy Development
- Banking System Management
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
- Process Improvement
- Report Generation
- Internal Control Assessment
- Audit Preparation
- Administrative Support
- Customer Services
- Sales and Cross-Selling
- Market Research
- Communication & Interpersonal
Certification
- LAU- New York Institute Finance, Certificate of completion - Capital Markets Fundamentals, 01/01/24
- CMA INSTITUTE, CMA Candidate, 01/01/25
- ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN LEBANON - MEIRC TRAINING & CONSULTING, Certificate of Attendance - Emotional Intelligence Seminar, 10/01/19
- PWC ACADEMY, Certificate of Attendance - PwC's IFRS Update Seminar, 09/01/17
- ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL, Lebanese Financial Regulations (Arabic), 02/01/16
- ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN LEBANON, Intensive Training Course Certification - Debt Risk Classification, 09/01/14
- CFA INSTITUTE, CFA Level 1, 12/01/13
- ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IN LEBANON, Training Course Certification - Economic Feasibility Study, 05/01/12
Languages
Arabic
English
French
References
Available Upon Request
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 09/22/86
basktball
i won the school and university championship in addition to many other tournaments
Timeline
Financial consultant
Freelancer
03.2024 - Current
Risk+ Solutions
McKinsey & Co
03.2023 - 07.2023
Product Consultant
HOLCOM
11.2021 - 03.2023
Team Leader - Credit Risk
SARADAR BANK
04.2018 - 03.2021
Senior Credit Risk Analyst
SARADAR BANK
01.2014 - 04.2018
Internal Auditor
NEAR EAST COMMERCIAL BANKING
07.2011 - 01.2014
Personal Banker
BYBLOS BANK
01.2010 - 07.2011
Teller
BYBLOS BANK
11.2008 - 01.2010
Intern
06.2006 - 08.2006
Bachelor's Degree - Banking & Finance
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY - NDU
Lebanese Baccalaureate II - Sociology & Economics
CENTRAL COLLEGE JOUNIEH - CCJ
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance
NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY - NDU