Independent Director — Bank Liquidity and Funding Resilience

Funding resilience as a board responsibility

This role requires banking balance-sheet expertise and an ability to challenge treasury analysis without becoming the operational treasury function. The director will participate in collective strategy and risk decisions and support relevant committee work where assigned.

What can actually become cash?

Review concentration by depositor type, channel, maturity and economic relationship. Examine the stability assumptions attached to different funding sources and the evidence behind them. Ask whether collateral is genuinely available, operationally mobilisable and subject to competing claims or restrictions.

Experience tested under pressure

Applicants should have held senior roles in bank treasury, finance, risk or balance-sheet management. Experience through a period of funding pressure is particularly relevant, provided candidates can explain the decisions and lessons rather than merely describe the environment. Financial literacy, model scepticism and clear board communication are essential.

Candidates must demonstrate the ability to distinguish a technical compliance position from a robust operating position. Prior non-executive experience is useful but not a substitute for independent judgement.

Combined stress, executable options and growth

Challenge stress scenarios for combinations of outflows, market disruption, rating pressure and reduced collateral value. Assess whether contingency actions can be executed at the speed assumed, including the governance needed to authorise them. Require clarity on communication dependencies and the information that would trigger escalation.

The director should also scrutinise growth plans for their funding consequences. Attractive assets can create an unstable balance sheet if the associated funding strategy depends on assumptions that management has not adequately tested. Pricing and profitability should reflect the cost of maintaining resilience.

The director will challenge the funding strategy, follow material weaknesses and help ensure the board can make timely decisions under stress. Management retains execution authority within delegation. Eligibility, independence and applicable approvals will be assessed for the appointment. Success is a credible liquidity narrative supported by evidence, practical contingency readiness and an honest account of residual dependencies, rather than reliance on a single reassuring metric.