Question

Internal Controls for Bank Lending

Answer 1

Answer:

1. False

The higher the figure, the higher the risk. Kindly note that loans are usually insured against default. The higher the amount insured, the higher the premium payable as insurance on such amounts.

2. False

It does not make for good internal control to have one person regardless of their position to have the final say on loans of great magnitude such as $5 Million. This can quickly degenerate into a situation where the officer involved is tempted to abuse that power. It makes for good corporate governance and risk management to ensure that the board is responsible for loans of such magnitude.

3. True

If a bank lost $100 in a thousand places, from loan default, that translates to a loss of $100,000. This relatively is large however it is small and will have less impact that a loss of a million dollars in 3 places. That's $ 3,000,000.

As already indicated, it makes for good loan disbursement governance, to ensure that there is at least two persons involved in the risk acceptance criteria (RAC) evaluation and loan disbursement process.

4. False

Separation of duties is the foundation of good internal control. It allows for greater objectivity. It is also key to carefully select signatories to loan disbursements. They have to be people of impeccable character and the company must exercise proper risk management to ensure that every protocol such as opportunity that may create the impulse or inclination to breach policy is removed completely.

Cheers!