Head of Non-Bank Financial Institutions & Financial Institutions at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Purpose

The Head of Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) & Financial Institutions (FIs) is responsible for providing overarching strategic, commercial and relationship leadership for the Bank's Non-Bank Financial Institutions portfolio. This includes insurance companies, pension funds, SACCOs, microfinance institutions, development finance institutions, capital market participants, fintechs, fund managers, payment service providers and other regulated and unregulated financial entities.

The role holder is accountable for driving balance sheet growth, optimizing risk-adjusted returns, scaling transaction volumes, advancing sustainable finance initiatives and expanding the broader financial ecosystem while enforcing rigorous governance and compliance standards, deepening strategic partnerships and maximizing cross-sell and value creation across the Bank.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership


Develop and execute the NBFI & FI sector strategy, aligned to the bank's corporate and institutional banking objectives.
Segment the market and design tailored value propositions for insurance firms, SACCOs, pension schemes, MFIs, fintech's, payment providers, and DFIs.
Deliver financial targets including loan growth, deposit mobilization, FX income, trade finance, and fee revenue.
Lead the cross-functional coordination with risk, treasury, trade finance, digital banking, ESG, credit, and operations.


Business Development & Relationship Management


Build and deepen strategic relationships with CEOs, CFOs, Boards, and senior leadership of NBFIs and FIs.
Drive the origination and structuring of lending transactions, including term loans, structured finance, guarantees, trade facilities, and syndications.
Grow deposit and liquidity management solutions, including escrow accounts, custodial services, cash management, and trust accounts.
Cross-sell the bank's full suite: payments, collections, treasury, cards, digital channels, insurance, and sustainable finance solutions.


Portfolio & Risk Management


Manage the overall credit portfolio quality for NBFIs & FIs, including oversight of pipeline, reviews, early warning indicators, and watchlist management.
Lead structuring risk-mitigated solutions such as secured lending, cash-flow backed facilities, insurance-guaranteed products, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
Ensure compliance with CBK regulations, AML/KYC guidelines, Basel standards, and internal governance frameworks.
Maintain updated sectoral insights and risk maps to guide decision-making.


Product Development & Innovation


Develop and refine specialized products for financial institutions, including:

Insurance premium finance
Custodial & trust services
SACCO agency banking and digital collections
Fintech/payments integration
Treasury & liquidity solutions
ESG/sustainable finance products


Work with digital and product teams to co-create solutions that deepen customer penetration and ecosystem connectivity.


Sustainable Finance, ESG & Partnerships


Identify opportunities for green finance, ESG-linked lending, climate resilience projects, blended finance, and guarantee-backed facilities.
Leverage partnerships with DFIs, multilaterals, development partners, payment networks, and fintech ecosystems.
Position the bank as a leader in sustainable and inclusive finance within the financial sector ecosystem.


Team Leadership & Capacity Building


Lead, coach, motivate and develop a high-performing team of sector relationship managers and analysts.
Build capabilities in relationship management, structured credit, sustainable finance, digital payments, and sector insights.
Promote a performance-driven, customer-centric culture.


Qualifications

Key Technical Skills & Leadership Competencies


Strong relationship and stakeholder management
Expertise in credit analysis and structuring
Deep understanding of the financial services ecosystem
Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (CBK, IRA, SASRA, RBA, CMA, AML/KYC)
Commercial acumen and financial modelling skills
Negotiation and deal-closing capability
Leadership, coaching and people management skills
Digital and innovative mindset
Understanding of ESG and sustainable finance frameworks


Experience Requirements:-


Minimum 10 - 12 years in banking or financial services.
At least 5 years in senior relationship management, corporate banking or institutional banking.
Proven experience managing financial institutions (insurance, SACCOs, MFIs, pension funds, DFIs, fintechs).
Strong experience in credit structuring, trade finance, treasury, and sustainable finance.


Academic Qualifications & Certifications


Bachelor's degree in finance, Economics, Business, or related field.
Master's degree is an added advantage.
CFA, ACCA, CPA, FRM, ACIB, or equivalent.
ESG/Sustainable Finance certification is an added advantage.