Richa Dhanuka

Credit Risk and Commercial Lending professional with 10 years 8 months of experience across US Commercial Banking, Equipment Finance, Credit Underwriting, Investment Research, Financial Modelling, and Real Estate Finance. Experienced in managing high-value commercial lending portfolios for leading US banking clients with strong exposure to underwriting, credit memo preparation, borrower risk assessment, covenant analysis, portfolio monitoring, and stakeholder management. Demonstrated track record of leading teams, managing client relationships, improving underwriting quality, and driving operational efficiency across global financial services engagements.

Skilled in evaluating complex corporate and municipal borrowers, analyzing large financial datasets, and supporting strategic lending decisions.

Delivery Manager – Commercial Lending & Credit Risk - Acuity Knowledge Partners - Bangalore

(2022-05 - 2025-08)

• Managed underwriting and credit risk support for a leading US Bank within the Equipment Finance and Commercial Lending portfolio.
• Led delivery management for complex commercial lending transactions involving corporate and municipal borrowers across diversified industries.
• Evaluated borrower creditworthiness through detailed assessment of financial statements, leverage metrics, liquidity analysis, repayment capacity, and cash flow performance.
• Reviewed and analysed high-value commercial credit proposals, supporting underwriting decisions and portfolio risk assessment.
• Conducted financial spreading, risk analysis, internal rating assessments, and credit review activities using Moody's Credit Lens and bank-specific risk tools.
• Managed portfolio workflow, prioritisation, quality review, and timely delivery of underwriting memos and credit documentation.
• Collaborated directly with US client stakeholders and underwriting teams to support lending decisions, portfolio monitoring, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Reviewed transaction structures, term sheets, collateral details, and historical credit relationships to assess overall transaction risk.
• Led, mentored, and trained analysts on commercial lending processes, underwriting standards, financial spreading, and credit analysis.
• Managed team productivity, quality governance, and process optimisation initiatives to improve operational efficiency and turnaround timelines.
• Supported strategic client initiatives and ad-hoc underwriting requirements for Specialty Finance Group engagements.
• Successfully managed delivery for 110+ commercial equipment finance credit proposals annually.
• Recognised with "Best Client Centricity Award" for exceptional client delivery and stakeholder management.
• Built strong client confidence through consistent quality control and underwriting support.

Manager – Investment Research & Equity Research - InvestSaathi Financial Services - Bangalore

(2020-07 - 2022-04)

• Led equity research and financial analysis initiatives for wealth management and investment advisory clients.
• Managed and mentored a research team responsible for financial modelling, sector analysis, and company research.
• Analysed quarterly earnings, investor presentations, management commentary, and conference calls to identify investment opportunities and business performance trends.
• Developed financial models and valuation frameworks to support investment recommendations and strategic decision-making.
• Worked closely with stakeholders to align research outputs with client investment objectives and portfolio strategies.
• Improved research quality and turnaround efficiency through process enhancements and structured review mechanisms.

Strategy Manager – Real Estate Finance & Investments - Kohinoor Group - Mumbai

(2018-10 - 2020-06)

• Managed strategic finance and investment analysis activities for large-scale real estate projects.
• Developed integrated financial and cash flow models to evaluate project viability, funding requirements, and investment returns.
• Coordinated with legal, finance, sales, technical, and regulatory teams for due diligence and transaction execution.
• Prepared investment presentations, information memorandums, and lender/investor pitch decks for PE funds, NBFCs, and banks.
• Conducted industry research, market analysis, fundraising transaction tracking, and quarterly sector reporting.
• Reviewed term sheets, lease structures, rent roll projections, and transaction documentation.
• Established standard operating procedures for financial modelling and reporting processes.

Research Analyst – Investment Research - Aranca - Mumbai

(2016-09 - 2018-10)

• Worked extensively with private equity and institutional clients on financial research and investment analysis assignments.
• Built end-to-end financial models, return analysis frameworks, scenario analysis models, and cash flow forecasts for real estate and investment projects.
• Prepared investor presentations, pitch books, whitepapers, company profiles, newsletters, and credit analysis reports.
• Conducted macroeconomic research, sector analysis, and company benchmarking using Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Factiva, and Thomson Reuters Eikon.
• Managed client communication and supported multiple concurrent client engagements.

Finance Executive - Vijay Khetan Group - Mumbai

(2015-01 - 2016-07)

• Managed budgeting, forecasting, project finance analysis, treasury operations, and funding support for multiple real estate projects.
• Prepared long-term business plans, feasibility models, project cash flows, and budget variance analysis.
• Coordinated with investment bankers and financial institutions for project funding and refinancing activities.
• Supported preparation of information memorandums, lender presentations, and credit monitoring arrangements.
• Managed loan repayment planning and fund allocation for ongoing and upcoming projects.

PGPM - Finance - IBS Business School, Mumbai (2011 - 2013)

Bachelors - Management Studies - K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce, Mumbai (2007 - 2010)