Olaide Oyeyemi: A force in finance driven by academic excellence and practical success

In the fantastically complicated world of finance, where information is constantly evolving, Olaide Oyeyemi is a dedicated professional whose professional life is functionally affected by both ongoing pursuit by way of academic attainment and a record of practical achievement. Having already obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Ajayi Crowther University in October 2020, Olaide’s underlying pursuit of knowledge is unabated as she steadfastly works towards her Bachelor of Science in Geophysics from Olabisi Onabanjo University. 

This complementary mixture of on-the-ground experience and ongoing academic intensity provides her with a singular insight, one which enables her to look at difficult financial problems with a depth of analytical acumen sparingly found. “Every new thing that I learn, whether it’s from a book or from a boardroom, adds another dimension to how I perceive solutions,” says Olaide, citing her love for lifelong learning.

Olaide’s experience cutting through the banking sector is a recurring thread of using adversity to turn challenges into success stories, with her time at Sterling Bank Plc serving as a shining case in point. In her role as Credit Review and Monitoring Analyst between April 2016 and June 2021, she was not just another coworker; she was an architect of change. The bank was faced with its time-honored issue of loan loss risk management, a critical weakness in any finance institution. 

Olaide’s response was innovative and successful: she spearheaded the design and implementation of a revolutionary Early Warning System (EWS). This was not only an automated system but a well-designed mechanism to actively identify and bar probable loan defaults before they happened. “We had to break away from just reacting to problems,” affirms Olaide, her passion evident. “The EWS was about forecasting and preventing, enabling us to act with foresight and precision.”

The impact of this program was nothing short of revolutionary. With Olaide’s meticulous guidance, Sterling Bank saw an astonishing 67% reduction in both its Past Due Obligations (PDOs) and Non-Performing Loans (NPLs). In addition to enhancing the financial health of the institution, this unparalleled achievement helped to identify Olaide’s remarkable ability for turning intangible data analytics into tangible, real-world solutions that benefit the organization as well as its clients. 

Her hands-on approach was also evident in having an effective trigger reporting system, where management would receive timely information as well as recommendations for action. Olaide also helped significantly with loan relationship management, submitting annual reviews and assisting Relationship Managers to monitor financial covenant and borrowing base compliance. “It is about building a very solid safety net,” she notes, “and ensuring every decision has solid data and a clear idea of what could go wrong.”

Having made a lasting impact at Sterling Bank, Olaide transferred her impressive talent to Providus Bank Plc. As a Credit Exposure Monitoring Analyst from the period July 2021 – October 2021, she was on her toes daily when the issue of credit risks was concerned, making use of advanced Early Warning Systems and Credit Limit Review platforms. Here is where she actually showcased her resilience when dealing with high-risk situations. 

Faced with the herculean task of retrieving non-performing loans, Olaide negotiated payment terms from defaulters and collected a staggering $50 million of NPLs in just a month. “Every recovery is a story of strategic negotiation and seeking common ground,” says Olaide. “It’s about converting a difficult situation into a positive outcome to everyone involved.”

Olaide Oyeyemi’s working career, defined by constant learning, strategic creativity, and impressive financial outcomes, is the image of a devoted professional. Her blend of academic pursuit, practical experience in complex risk management, and a genuine enthusiasm for problem-solving makes her irreplaceable. 

“My inspiration comes from the belief that good financial management can actually build stability and growth,” Olaide explains. “It’s a learning curve on a day-by-day basis, and I’m excited about each new challenge.”

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