Country Retail and SME Risk Portfolio and Fraud Manager

Country Retail and SME Risk Portfolio and Fraud Manager Addiko Bank AG (former Hypo-Alpe-Adria International) 11/2011 - Present | Klagenfurt, Austria Strategic Overview: Serve as the senior risk management leader responsible for transforming retail and SME banking operations across a multi-country network. Lead the end-to-end risk lifecycle management for a EUR 2B portfolio, encompassing credit origination, portfolio monitoring, fraud prevention, collections, and non-performing loan resolution. Drive strategic initiatives that balance aggressive portfolio growth with disciplined risk management, while spearheading digital transformation efforts that have fundamentally reshaped the bank's operational capabilities.

Core Responsibilities: Portfolio Management & Strategy

Direct the strategic management of a EUR 2B multi-country retail and SME risk portfolio, spanning multiple jurisdictions and market segments across the Addiko Bank network Design and execute sophisticated market segmentation strategies that optimize risk-return profiles across diverse customer segments, product lines, and geographic markets Develop and maintain comprehensive risk reporting frameworks that provide executive leadership with real-time visibility into portfolio performance, emerging risks, and strategic opportunities Establish risk appetite parameters and portfolio concentration limits aligned with the bank's strategic objectives and regulatory requirements

Digital Transformation Leadership

Champion the complete digitalization of lending infrastructure, transforming legacy manual processes into automated, data-driven decision-making systems Oversee the development and implementation of advanced credit scoring models, automated underwriting systems, and real-time decision engines Lead cross-functional teams in implementing straight-through processing capabilities that eliminate manual touchpoints and accelerate customer service delivery Drive the adoption of cloud-based technologies, API integrations, and modern data architectures to support scalable growth

Risk Management & Governance

Build and continuously enhance enterprise-wide risk management frameworks incorporating credit risk, operational risk, and fraud risk components Implement real-time analytics platforms that provide predictive insights into portfolio behavior, early warning signals, and emerging risk trends Develop and maintain comprehensive policies, procedures, and governance structures that ensure consistent risk management practices across all markets Design and deploy sophisticated fraud detection systems utilizing behavioral analytics, transaction monitoring, and machine learning algorithms Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, internal audit standards, and best practice risk management principles

Collections & NPL Management

Oversee comprehensive debt recovery operations, including early collections, late-stage recovery, legal actions, and portfolio sales Structure and negotiate forward flow contracts with external collection agencies and debt purchasers to optimize recovery rates Lead NPL reduction initiatives through innovative debt sale programs, workout strategies, and portfolio restructuring efforts Manage relationships with external stakeholders including collection agencies, legal firms, debt purchasers, and regulatory authorities

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Lead cross-functional teams spanning credit risk, operations, IT, compliance, and business development across multiple countries Partner with country management teams to align risk strategies with local market conditions and business objectives Present portfolio performance, risk trends, and strategic recommendations to executive committees and board-level governance forums Mentor and develop risk management talent, building organizational capabilities in analytics, digital tools, and risk methodologies

Key Achievements & Business Impact:

• Transformational Digital Lending Platform

Architected and deployed a revolutionary digital lending infrastructure that transformed the customer experience and operational efficiency across the entire bank network Reduced credit approval times from days to just 20 minutes, creating a competitive advantage in fast-moving retail and SME markets Achieved 80%+ straight-through processing rates, eliminating manual intervention for the vast majority of applications and dramatically reducing operational costs Integrated automated credit scoring, income verification, fraud checks, and decision engines into a seamless digital workflow Enabled 24/7 lending capabilities, mobile application processing, and instant customer notifications, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction scores Created a scalable platform capable of supporting future growth without proportional increases in headcount or infrastructure costs

• Explosive Portfolio Growth with Risk Discipline

Delivered exceptional 800% growth in lending volume (from EUR 5M to EUR 60M) within just 2 years, one of the highest growth rates in the bank's history Achieved this remarkable expansion while maintaining strict adherence to risk parameters, demonstrating that growth and risk discipline are not mutually exclusive Preserved portfolio quality metrics throughout the growth period, with delinquency rates, default rates, and loss ratios remaining within target ranges Expanded market share across key customer segments including retail consumers, micro-enterprises, and SME businesses Developed targeted acquisition strategies for underserved market segments while avoiding high-risk customer profiles Successfully balanced volume targets with profitability objectives, ensuring that growth contributed positively to the bank's bottom line

• Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization

Reduced the cost-income ratio by 30% through systematic operational efficiency improvements and comprehensive process reengineering Eliminated redundant processes, consolidated fragmented systems, and streamlined workflows across multiple countries Automated manual tasks including data entry, document verification, credit assessments, and approval routing Centralized previously siloed operations, creating economies of scale and reducing duplication across country units Renegotiated vendor contracts and optimized third-party spending on collections, legal services, and technology providers Implemented lean management principles and continuous improvement methodologies throughout risk operations The cost savings achieved contributed directly to improved profitability and enhanced the bank's ability to invest in growth initiatives

• Industry-Leading Innovation in NPL Management

Executed Croatia's first-ever electronic debt sale (EUR 35M), establishing a groundbreaking precedent in the regional banking industry Designed an end-to-end automated debt sale program that standardized NPL packaging, buyer communications, due diligence processes, and transaction execution Created a replicable framework that transformed ad-hoc, labor-intensive debt sales into a systematic, efficient program The electronic auction process attracted broader buyer participation, increased competitive tension, and achieved superior recovery rates compared to traditional methods This innovation positioned Addiko Bank as a thought leader in NPL management and attracted attention from industry peers and regulators The success of this program influenced industry practices and demonstrated the potential for technology to transform traditionally manual banking processes

• Advanced Analytics & Data Integration

Developed a sophisticated early collection reporting system that improved tracking accuracy by an extraordinary 99% Integrated disparate data sources across 3 countries, creating a unified view of customer behavior, payment patterns, and collection performance Implemented real-time data pipelines that eliminated delays in information availability and enabled proactive intervention strategies Built predictive analytics models that identify high-risk accounts before they become delinquent, allowing for preventive contact strategies Created customized dashboards and reporting tools that provide collection teams with actionable insights and performance metrics The enhanced data accuracy enabled more effective resource allocation, improved collection success rates, and reduced write-offs

• Comprehensive NPL Reduction Program

Executed debt sales totaling over EUR 50M, systematically reducing the bank's non-performing loan burden Developed automated processes for NPL identification, valuation, packaging, and sale execution that decreased the NPL ratio by 30% Implemented a disciplined approach to portfolio segmentation, separating accounts suitable for internal workout from those better suited for external sale Created detailed financial models to optimize the timing and structure of debt sales, maximizing net present value of recoveries Established relationships with a diverse panel of debt purchasers, ensuring competitive bidding and optimal pricing The NPL reduction program improved the bank's capital position, enhanced financial ratios, and supported improved credit ratings

• Strategic Forward Flow Management

Managed forward flow contracts worth EUR 10M annually, creating predictable, consistent debt recovery across two multi-country banks Structured contracts with performance-based pricing, service level agreements, and quality standards that aligned vendor incentives with bank objectives Implemented rigorous vendor management processes including regular performance reviews, compliance audits, and contract optimization Ensured timely debt recovery through proactive monitoring, escalation protocols, and collaborative problem-solving with collection partners The forward flow strategy provided operational flexibility, reduced fixed costs, and maintained recovery rates comparable to internal collections

• Enterprise Risk Management Framework

Built a comprehensive, enterprise-wide risk management framework that serves as the foundation for all retail and SME risk activities Integrated credit risk, operational risk, fraud risk, and compliance risk into a unified governance structure Implemented real-time analytics platforms leveraging advanced data visualization, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques Deployed sophisticated fraud detection systems that identify suspicious patterns, prevent losses, and protect customer accounts Created portfolio monitoring tools that provide early warning signals for emerging risks, concentration issues, and market trends Strengthened policies, procedures, and controls across the entire credit lifecycle, from origination through collections The framework has enhanced risk-adjusted returns, reduced unexpected losses, and improved the bank's risk culture

Quantifiable Impact Summary: Financial Impact:

Portfolio volume growth: EUR 5M → EUR 60M (800% increase) Portfolio under management: EUR 2B across multiple countries Debt sales executed: EUR 50M+, reducing NPL ratio by 30% Forward flow contracts: EUR 10M annually in managed recoveries Cost-income ratio improvement: 30% reduction Major transactions: EUR 35M electronic debt sale (Croatia's first)

Operational Impact:

Approval time reduction: Days → 20 minutes Straight-through processing: 80%+ automation rate Data accuracy improvement: 99% increase in collection tracking Geographic coverage: Centralized operations across 3+ countries Process efficiency: 30% cost reduction through optimization

Strategic Impact:

Transformed traditional, manual banking operations into a digital-first organization Established industry precedents in electronic debt sales and automated NPL management Built scalable infrastructure capable of supporting continued growth without proportional cost increases Enhanced the bank's competitive position through superior customer experience and operational efficiency Strengthened risk management capabilities, governance frameworks, and organizational resilience

Leadership & Innovation: Throughout this 13+ year tenure, demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing complex, multi-country operations while driving transformational change. Successfully balanced competing priorities of growth, profitability, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Pioneered innovative approaches to traditional banking challenges, leveraging technology, data analytics, and process excellence to deliver superior results. Built high-performing teams capable of executing sophisticated strategies across diverse markets and regulatory environments. The combination of strategic vision, operational excellence, and disciplined execution has positioned Addiko Bank as a leader in retail and SME banking, with best-in-class digital capabilities, robust risk management practices, and sustainable, profitable growth.

• Loan portfolio audit
• Transition matrix
• Forecast of portfolio development
• Data mining
• Assess the quality of the portfolio and forecast of losses for the next two years

• Developing credit scoring models for partner institutions
• Developing and assisting PI in developing Application Processing Systems for 3 MFIs

• Risk analysis training to sales officers
• Assist in development of collection module in the core system
• Assist in implementation of a new scoring module

• Develop score cards for assessing SME loan applications
• Develop Request Tracking System for the Credit Centre in Bank to track all contacts made by clients

• Introduce and develop Loan Application Processing System
• Develop score card for assessing SME loan applications

• Assessment of the rating model used for lending
• Recommending further step in developing score models for SME lending
• Assessment of the core banking system
• Recommending further steps in improving the efficiency of the system

• Banking and credit adviser with SG Expressbank, Bulgaria under an EU/EBRD SME Finance Facility for EUR 10 million
• Managing Technical Assistance under the SME facility
• Development of Credit Scoring System and centralizing the Loan Processing Application
• Changes in Credit Policy and consultancy on the Risk policy
• SME Product development
• Training loan officers in project analysis, loan preparation and business analysis
• Quarterly reports on the performance of the credit line facility and utilisation of the technical assistance
• Monitoring loans disbursed under the Facility

• Developing and introducing score cards for analysis of companies and assets based on gap analysis.

• Serves as the leasing and application processing system adviser to Hebros Leasing, Bulgaria under a EUR 5 million EU/EBRD Facility
• Advising on and developing the application processing system and helping the company adapt its policies and procedures to meet the standards of Basel II and the EU
• Development of IT system in conjunction with the management of the SME Facility
• Credit scoring
• Design of staff training programme
• Risk process assessment and improvement recommendations
• Basel II compliance assessment of IT system and recommendations for improvements
• Advising the company on the process of merge between HVB and Hebros leasing
• Project manage: Data clearance, Generation of reports, Risk policy for light and heavy vehicles, Introduction of a score card in the risk assessment process, Advise on improving the IT system