Strategic Credit Risk Management for Financial Institutions in the Arab Region

Accounting and Finance

Strategic Credit Risk Management for Financial Institutions in the Arab Region

In an increasingly volatile global economy, financial institutions operating in the Arab Region face unique challenges and complexities regarding credit risk management. Effective risk management is no longer optional but essential for sustainability, profitability, and regulatory compliance. The rapid changes in economic conditions, regulatory frameworks, and market dynamics across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region necessitate a strategic approach to credit risk management, tailored specifically for regional contexts.

This comprehensive five-day course, “Strategic Credit Risk Management for Financial Institutions in the Arab Region,” hosted in London by the Oxford Institute of Education & Training, has been designed explicitly to equip banking and financial professionals with the advanced strategic tools, methodologies, and insights necessary for managing credit risk effectively within the complex business environments across the MENA region.

Participants will delve deeply into modern approaches and strategic methodologies that address both traditional and contemporary credit risk scenarios. The course will highlight region-specific challenges, utilizing real-world examples and case studies from the MENA financial landscape, and provide actionable strategies for immediate application within participants’ own institutions.

Target Audience

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

Clearly understand the contemporary landscape and key drivers of credit risk within the Arab Region.
Implement strategic credit risk management frameworks tailored specifically to the regional economic, regulatory, and cultural context.
Analyse financial data critically to assess and mitigate credit risks effectively.
Develop, implement, and continually improve internal credit risk governance structures.
Understand and apply international best practices adapted to local market realities within the MENA region.
Design and execute effective credit risk strategies aligned with broader organizational goals.

This course is specifically tailored for professionals involved in managing and overseeing credit risk at financial institutions operating within, or targeting expansion into, the Arab Region, including:

Senior Credit Analysts
Credit Risk Managers and Officers
Chief Risk Officers (CROs)
Relationship Managers in corporate banking sectors
Internal Auditors specializing in credit reviews
Compliance Officers responsible for risk management oversight
Executives and managers responsible for strategic planning within financial institutions
Consultants and financial advisors focusing on the MENA region

Course Outline

Day 1: Credit Risk Landscape in the Arab Region

Overview of credit risk fundamentals
Specific risk factors affecting the MENA region (political, economic, regulatory, socio-cultural)
Economic trends shaping credit dynamics in the region
Comparative analysis of credit risk management practices globally versus the Arab Region
Case Study: Recent credit crises and institutional responses in MENA countries

Day 2: Strategic Framework for Credit Risk Management

Establishing robust credit risk management frameworks
Risk appetite and risk tolerance: setting and alignment with corporate strategy
Governance and oversight structures in regional banks
Policy and procedural frameworks tailored to the Arab context
Workshop: Designing a tailored credit risk management policy for a MENA-focused financial institution

Day 3: Advanced Credit Analysis and Risk Assessment Techniques

Advanced methods of financial statement analysis for credit assessment
Industry-specific credit risk assessment frameworks
Evaluating counterparty credit risk
Quantitative and qualitative analysis tools
Workshop: Conducting a comprehensive credit risk analysis for a MENA-based corporate entity

Day 4: Credit Risk Mitigation and Portfolio Management

Techniques and instruments for credit risk mitigation
Credit derivatives and structured finance solutions relevant to the Arab financial markets
Loan portfolio management: diversification strategies and monitoring methods
Stress testing and scenario analysis within regional contexts
Case Study: Implementing effective portfolio management strategies in MENA banks

Day 5: Regulatory Compliance, Reporting, and Strategic Implementation

Regulatory landscape for credit risk management in key MENA markets (GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and others)
Basel standards implementation and adaptation in the Arab region
Effective regulatory reporting practices
Strategic integration: aligning credit risk management with corporate strategy

Workshop and Group Discussion: Strategic implementation and adaptation of learned methodologies into participants’ institutions

Available Dates

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Course Date

#	Date
	July 21, 2025
	September 1, 2025

Accounting and Finance