THOMAS KARINGA WAITHIRA
Kandara,Kenya
Summary
A professional with over 8 years of progressive experience spanning banking operations, relationship management, trade finance, financial consulting, and customer service within the financial services sector. Demonstrated success in mobilizing large deposits, growing client portfolios, and delivering tailored financial and investment solutions across retail, SME, and corporate segments. Proven ability to manage cross functional teams, optimize service delivery, and advise on wealth management, credit structuring, and treasury instruments. Recognized for strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with IFRS, CBK prudential guidelines, AML/CFT, and trade finance protocols. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA part 2) and business graduate passionate about financial empowerment and value driven banking solution
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Trade finance consultant
Euro Exim Bank
09.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: Empanelment No : EEB/KE/24/211864 Empanelment verification :https://www.euroeximbank.com/sales-team
- Roles involves:
- 1. Steering Cross-border transactions by advising clients on Letters of credit, Bank guarantee and other trade finance instruments while ensuring compliance.
- 2. Collaborating with internal teams to assess risks, perfume due diligence and structure appropriate trade finance solutions for complex transactions
- 3. Generating new business leads through market research and relationship management contributing to revenues growth and client retention.
- 4. Developing and managing client portfolios by providing tailored financial solutions to SMEs and large corporations
- 5. Maintaining Up to date knowledge of global trade regulations and financial instruments and advising clients on optimizing trade flows and minimizing financial risks
- Achievements
- Reduced Turnaround Time by 25%. Streamlined internal processes in collaboration with trade operations, leading to faster issuance of trade instruments and improved client satisfaction.
- Generated 10+ High-Value Leads Monthly Proactively prospected and maintained a pipeline of 10+ qualified leads/month, consistently surpassing the bank’s minimum performance targets
- Expanded the bank’s presence through strategic targeting and product penetration in the Kenyan SME and corporate segments
Finance and strategy Advisor
Wakamiru Financial Consultancy
06.2024 - 09.2024
- As a Finance & Strategy Consultant at Wakamiru Financial Consultancy, I provided independent, expert advice on financial decisions and strategic planning to help clients minimize uncertainty and maximize financial returns.
- Roles involved:
- Providing stategic finacial advice to individuals ,aligningning investment strategies with long term financial objectives
- Designed end executed wealth managemant plans, integrating retirement palnning,tax efficiency,insurance and estate planning.
- Analysed client finacial status icluding income,debt,investmests and assest to develope customised finacial roadmaps.
- Managed and monitored diversitfied collective investment schmes by ensuring optimal perfomace and risk alignment with client goals.
- Delivered customized training workshops on financial reporting and business analysis
- Achievements
- Achieved 95% client satiatafaction rating by consistently delivering tailored solutions and maintaining transparent,trust based communications
- Advised on treasury bonds over 100M
- Acquire and retained over 50 high net worth clients
- Increased client portfolio value by 25% through portfolio diversification.
Acting Branch Manager
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Led dairy operations of the branch by ensuring smooth delivery of banking services, compliance with policies and achievement of performance target.
- Supervised and developed branch staff, including tellers, customer service officers and Relationship managers.
- Achieved branch sales and revenue targets by cross-selling of bank products
- Maintained high customer satisfaction levels by resolving escalated issues promptly and ensuring quality service delivery across all customer touchpoints
- Oversaw cash management as security procedures including vault operations, ATM procedures and internal audits and minimise risks and prevent losses.
- Ensured regulatory compliance with CBK requirements and KYC guidelines
- Analysed financial statements and branch performance metrics, providing actionable insights to improve operational efficiency and profitability
- Collaborated with regional and head office leadership on strategic planning, reporting and branch wide initiatives
Business Development Manager
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
04.2019 - 08.2023
- Led strategic business developments initiatives and perusing new markets opportunities to drive revenue growth and expand client base
- Build and maintained key client relationship, resulting in long term partnership and increased wallet share across commercial and retail bank portfolios
- Monitored markets trends and competitor activity delivering data driven insights to inform business growth strategies and product positioning.
- Achieved consistent revenues targets in revenue targets in new acquisition and repeat business from clients
- Led a high performing sales team, setting KPIs, conducting performance reviews and mentoring staff to exceed business goals.
- Represented the bank at industry forums and networking events
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards, internal risk controls and corporate governance in all client acquisition activities.
Customer Service Officer
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Opened, maintained, and closed customer accounts, ensuring KYC and AML compliance. Credit risk monitoring and control of the branch credit portfolio
- Responded to customer inquiries via phone, email, and in-person, providing product and service information. Conduct site visits and client interviews to gather insights for loan appraisal.
- Resolved customer complaints and escalate complex issues to supervisors or specialized units.
- Cross-sell banking products (loans, cards, investments) based on customer needs and bank targets
- Verified and update customer information in the banking system to maintain data integrity
- issue and manage debit/credit cards, cheque books, and PIN resets for customers
- Educated customers on digital banking channels (online banking, mobile app) to enhance self-service adoption.
- Proceed teller transactions (deposits, withdrawals, transfers) accurately and efficiently.
- Achievements in Guaranty Trust bank
- Mobilised deposit from 1.8B to 2.2B in Q1 of 2023
- Recived staff of the year award of 2023
- Delivered the best branch FX income in Kenya for 2019/2020 (454% margin on KSh 1.5 million).
- Achieved 100% internal audit compliance in two consecutive audit cycles
- Recognised as a branch Fx champion by exceeding treasury sales targets and contributing significantly in branch fx income
- Identified and implemented cost-saving measures that cut overhead expenses by 12% year-on-year, through renegotiation of vendor contracts and tighter budget controls.
- Reduced the month-end close cycle by 30%, from 5 days down to 3 days, through streamlined journal entry processes and automation of reconciliations.
Intern
Amica Savings and Credit ltd
04.2017 - 12.2017
- Role involved:
- Assisted in recording financial transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and expenses into core banking system.
- Organized and file financial documents including vouchers, receipts, and bank statements for easy retrieval and audit readiness.
- Helped in reconciling bank statements with internal financial records to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
- Supported the preparation of basic financial reports such as trial balances, cash flow statements, and daily summaries.
- Assisted with customer queries, form processing, and queue management, gaining exposure to both accounting and front-office operations.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management-Accounting option
Karatina University
04.2017
KCSE -
Kibage sec school
Muranga11.2012
CPA-Advanced Level -
Strathmore University; Prime College of Accountancy
KenyaSkills
- 1 Financial Analysis & Reporting in line with IFRS
- 2 Wealth management
- 3 Customer Focus& business acumen Being great at identifying clients’ needs and making it a primary focus
- 4 Intepretation and enforcement of the Central Bank of Kenya Prudential Guidelines
- 5 Intepretation and enforcement of the Banking Act and Central Bank of Kenya clearing procedures and general laws relating to banking
- 6 Intepretation and enforcement of the AML/CFT bank policy
- 7 Leadership and Management Coaching, Change Management and Employee Engagement
- Microsoft Office Suite- Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Access, Ms PowerPoint, Internet, Email, SPSS and STATA
References
- Nobert, K Khaduli, Branch Manager-Lavinton Branch, khadulinobert@gmail.com, 0721 578 789, NCBA Bank Kenya ltd, Nairobi, 00200, P. O. Box 72833 - 00200
- Samuel, Wairugi Mwangi, Head, Strategy and Innovation, wairugy@yahoo.com, 0721 382 148, Family Bank Kenya ltd, Nairobi, 00100, P. O. Box 20613-00100
- Eliud, Kienjeku, Senior Officer,Human Resources, kienjekueliud@gmail.com, 0721 768 586, Guaranty Trust Bank kenya ltd, Nairobi, 00100, P. O. Box 20613-00100
Timeline
Trade finance consultant
Euro Exim Bank
09.2024 - Current
Finance and strategy Advisor
Wakamiru Financial Consultancy
06.2024 - 09.2024
Acting Branch Manager
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
08.2023 - 05.2024
Business Development Manager
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
04.2019 - 08.2023
Customer Service Officer
Guaranty Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
02.2018 - 04.2019
Intern
Amica Savings and Credit ltd
04.2017 - 12.2017
Bachelor's Degree - Business Management-Accounting option
Karatina University
KCSE -
Kibage sec school
CPA-Advanced Level -
Strathmore University; Prime College of Accountancy