#ABITinterview: Meet Dragica Stamenkovic, Head of the branch office of NLB Bank AD Skopje in Kumanovo and part of our portfolio of #SuccessStories from the 5th generation of the Academy for “Credit Analysis and Risk Management”
- Can we learn something more about you and your career path?
I am Dragica Stamenkovic, I have been working at NLB Bank AD Skopje for more than 16 years. The employment at NLB Bank was my first serious employment, I was 23 years old and I was in my last semester at the Faculty of Economics in Skopje, in the Marketing department. My career path from this perspective is what you would say “by the book”, that is, it extends from an internship that I started back in 2005 at NLB Bank after completing the 3rd year of studies, and it extends to a management position. That would mean that within the framework of my professional development, I progressed step by step, I worked in various positions within the sales network, starting with internship work, cashiering, lending to individuals – up to a management position, which I have held since 2017.
On a personal level, I would like to emphasize that I am the mother of two beautiful daughters.
- How did you come up with the idea to enroll in the “Credit Analyst and Risk Manager” Academy?
The idea of enrolling in the Academy existed since its opening. However, given that my formal and informal education in many areas continues to this day, enrollment at the Academy depended on several factors: time, finances, and ongoing education. At the moment when I was promoted to the position of Manager, I felt the need to expand my knowledge in areas in which I have no practical experience, and the Academy through the “Credit Analyst and Risk Manager” module was the best choice for me.
- Has it, and if so, how much did the Academy help you in what you do today?
This education has helped me in several aspects: my awareness of risk assessment and perception is higher, I have knowledge of analyzing the overall performance of potential clients, especially in the area of legal entities, greater knowledge and awareness also improves my communication with clients and it positively affects my negotiating power, I simply make decisions more confidently, more consciously, I make a better risk assessment, which ultimately contributes to an increase in quality placements, which is my goal, interest and obligation, as a professional.
- Finally, what would you recommend to future students of the “CERTIFIED RISK MANAGER & CREDIT ANALYST® (CRM & CA)” program?
I recommend the program to everyone who works in the segment of credit analysis, risks, making decisions on credit exposure approval, to everyone who wants to expand their knowledge of financial analysis and risk assessment. The lecturers are dedicated, the colleagues are from different institutions, experiences are exchanged and friendships are made.
