About the position
A leading specialist agricultural financial institution is seeking an experienced Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking to drive loan book growth, manage strategic client relationships, and support sustainable agricultural development in the Ermelo region.
This role is ideal for a commercially astute banking professional with strong agricultural sector exposure, credit assessment expertise, and a proven ability to structure and manage complex lending transactions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Client Relationship & Portfolio Management
- Take full ownership of the client lifecycle from origination to ongoing portfolio management.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with commercial and development farmers.
- Conduct regular client visits and proactively identify growth opportunities.
- Resolve client queries and escalations effectively.
- Loan Origination & Deal Structuring
- Assess client viability, past performance, and transaction potential.
- Structure and motivate credit applications in collaboration with Credit, Risk, Legal, and Agricultural Specialists.
- Analyse financial statements, governance structures, competitive positioning, and business models.
- Ensure all documentation is obtained and transactions are properly structured.
- Portfolio Growth & Financial Performance
- Drive growth of the lending loan book.
- Manage non-performing loans (NPLs) and monitor portfolio health.
- Ensure appropriate pricing to maintain positive net interest margins.
- Onboard new-to-bank clients and generate cross-sell opportunities, including insurance.
- Agricultural Sector Development
- Promote financial solutions to support transformation and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
- Present products and services to farmer groups and industry stakeholders.
- Identify emerging farming enterprises and support commercially viable development initiatives.
- Stakeholder & Risk Management
- Collaborate closely with Credit, Risk, Legal and Agricultural Advisory teams.
- Ensure compliance with governance, policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Escalate risks appropriately and maintain oversight of application progress.
- People & Process Management
- Support and guide Client Analysts.
- Contribute to continuous process improvement and efficiency initiatives.
Minimum Requirements:
- Relevant 3-year qualification in Commerce, Business, Banking or related field.
- 3–5 years’ experience in client relationship management within banking or financial services.
- Experience assessing agricultural business cases and interpreting financial statements.
- Sound knowledge of credit principles, risk assessment, and commercial transaction structuring.
- Strong financial and business acumen.
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively.
This opportunity suits a driven Relationship Manager – Agricultural & Commercial Banking who combines strong credit skills with deep relationship management capability and a passion for supporting growth within the agricultural sector.
Desired Skills:
- Agriculture
- Banking
- Credit Management
- Relationship Management
About The Employer:
Banking
