Dilash Fernando

LOCL Holding company has decided to set up a finance company (green field operation) in Kinshasa, DRC and I have been appointed as the Managing Director and responsible for the entire operation including company incorporation, Central Bank approvals and setting up the business for LOLC Group.

• Completed company incorporation and market surveys to develop business strategies and products.
• Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline the scope of positions for the new organization.
• Completed all policies required for the Central Bank approval process and developed comprehensive business plans, outlining long-term goals and actionable steps toward success.
• Documented processes and drafted SOPs to comply with regulations and company policies. Monitored office workflow and administrative processes to keep operations running smoothly.
• Optimized resource allocation for improved efficiency and profitability across all departments.
• Implemented workplace safety protocols proactively addressing potential hazards before they become critical incidents.
• Implemented a strong organizational culture built on integrity accountability teamwork which resulted in higher retention rates among staff.
• Initiated risk-mitigating steps effectively by instituting comprehensive mitigation strategies across the organization's operations.
• Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages while maximizing profitability.
• Implemented innovative programs to increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover.

The company was acquired by LOLC Holdings in 2021 July with their global expansion strategy and I was assigned to take over overall operation.

• I was assigned to take over the overall responsibility for the entire operation of the company and presently responsible to achieve the budgets set by the Director Board while engaged in branch expansion, portfolio growth, improving portfolio quality and driving the company towards a stable profitable institute while fine tuning all processes and policies.
• Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and shareholders.
• Spearheaded major organizational restructuring efforts, resulting in a more agile and responsive team structure.
• Guided teams through periods of significant change by providing clear communication and decisive leadership during transitions.
• Promoted a positive corporate culture by implementing employee engagement programs that recognized achievement and fostered collaboration among teams.
• Oversaw day-to-day operations across multiple departments, ensuring timely delivery of projects and streamlined workflows.
• Formulated strategic plans aligning with overall company vision; setting achievable short and long-term goals to drive growth and profitability.
• Established key performance indicators for each department to track progress towards organizational goals effectively.
• Developed comprehensive financial plans to support long-term business objectives, reducing operational expenses while maximizing profitability.
• Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new product development.

• LOLC Holdings acquired this company in July 2019 with their global expansion strategy.
• Responsible for developing new products for Fina Trust Microfinance Bank and developed a new Vehicle Loan portfolio and the loan product was launched in August 2020, collaborating with many internal & external stakeholders.
• Shared my knowledge & experience with others to grow the bank in different aspects (Loan Portfolio Growth, Business Growth, Team building, Process Development, Portfolio quality)
• Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches, resulting in increased market share and customer satisfaction.
• Conducted market research to identify new growth opportunities, leading to the introduction of successful new products.
• Mentored junior team members in best practices for product management, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaborated with sales and marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies that maximized revenue potential.
• Created and managed social media campaigns to increase brand engagement.

Established in 2013, LMMF has consolidated its position in the highly competitive Myanmar market and is currently considered to be among the top 10 MFI’s in Myanmar. The Company is committed to promote inclusive finance with the highest ethical standards and best practices. LOLC focuses on lending to the Micro Sector with social responsibility and promoting specially designed lending product to cater agriculture sector

• Develop the business through area expansion and product development. Introduced the highly successful agriculture loan, Salary Loan and Individual business loan.
• Identified new market opportunities, expanding the company''s reach and customer base.
• Led cross-functional teams to execute successful initiatives, driving significant revenue increases.
• Drove process improvements that led to cost savings and increased profitability for the company.
• Spearheaded market research efforts to inform product development and marketing strategies.
• Increased company growth by developing and implementing innovative strategies.
• Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, training, and development programs.
• Developed and managed a healthy loan portfolio with less than 0.5% PAR with 63 branches across 6 provinces.

Sri Lanka’s largest non-banking financial institution and leading conglomerate. Directly reported to the CEO, on special projects related to business development and assisting branches with weak performances.

• Visiting branches and assisting in achieving their KPIs and coordinating and negotiating with internal Business units, Service units and external parties.
• Involved in reviewing process weaknesses in day-to-day operations.
• Competitor analysis, identifying market trends, and area developments and providing recommendations to increase the market share..
• Provided and coordinated on-field and classroom training for Branch Managers, Marketing & Non-Marketing staff to improve their performances.
• Assigned to handle the Northern region business development after the war, through motivation, training, knowledge sharing and implementing best practices while reviewing their processes.
• Assigned to handle the Eastern region Islamic financing business development through knowledge sharing, motivation, training and implementing best practices while reviewing their processes.
• Developed a new team to recover the Written-off portfolio of the company (USD 18.6 Mn) which contributed significantly to increasing the bottom line of the company.
• Engaged in overall branch network performance monitoring and submitting reports to the CEO.
• Improved communication across departments, fostering collaboration and enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
• Implemented effective training programs to enhance employee skills and improve overall job satisfaction.
• Implemented and developed operational standards, policies and procedures.
• Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.

• Examined customer loan applications for leases, term loans and revolving loan approvals and denials for main branch and 6 sub branches.
• Managed a loan portfolio of LKR 1.87 Bn and LKR 1.2 Bn in deposits consisting of a wide range of industries and trades in the district and surroundings.
• Non performing advances was maintained under 3%.
• Restructuring facilities, repossession of assets and associated activities.
• Portfolio includes Refinance loans, Micro Finance, Conventional Credit facilities including SME loans and credit facilities under Islamic Financing.
• Handled 6 branches plus the main Ratnapura branch, with over 100 sales and back office staff.
• Consistently exceeded branch and cluster targets, KPI”s, which resulted in upgrading of 2 service centers to branches.
• Initiated cross-selling efforts, resulting in increased product penetration among existing customers.
• Maximized employee engagement through regular communication, recognition programs, and team-building activities.
• Implemented innovative marketing campaigns to expand the branch''s market presence and attract new clients.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction with responsive service and timely resolution of issues.

• Managing and growing a client portfolio.
• Canvass new clients for loans and deposits while servicing the existing client.
• Preparing loan applications, cash flows, financial analysis, and field visits for credit evaluations.
• Non-performing loan management and monitoring.
• Assured client satisfaction through service delivery.
• Achieved monthly and annual set KPIs.

• Assisted Sri Lankan expatriate community with their requirements.
• Assisted foreign nations to obtain visas.
• Engaged in promoting Sri Lanka products and Tourism in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

I was responsible to handle all loan applications related to Overdrafts, SME Loans, Housing Loans, Vehicle Leasing, Agriculture Loans and managed day to day credit related activities in the branch with the assistance of 3 other staff.

Started my careers as banker and handled responsibilities related to Cash teller, Customer assistant, savings officer, Loan officer.