SAMANTHA WERAGODA
Taradale,Napeir
Summary
Finance professional with over 20 years of leadership experience in Sri Lanka’s NBFI sector, eager to contribute to New Zealand’s financial and business landscape. Expertise includes SME, commercial, professional, and asset-based lending, as well as liability mobilization through fixed deposits and savings. Proven track record in driving portfolio growth, reducing non-performing loans (NPLs), and leading business transformation through technology adoption and credit reform initiatives. Renowned for delivering sustainable growth, operational excellence, and customer-centric innovation across diverse financial environments while maintaining a strong focus on teamwork and optimal results.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Checkout Operator
New World Onekawa
07.2025 - Current
- Delivering fast, accurate checkout services in a customer-facing retail environment.
- Demonstrating reliability and adaptability in a high-volume supermarket setting.
- Cash Handling & Banking prepare floats for daily operations, organize banking deposits and ensure cash readiness.
- Team Member of the Month of October.
- Operated checkout systems efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions and customer satisfaction.
- Assisted customers with inquiries, providing excellent service and product information.
- Operated checkout systems efficiently to process customer transactions.
- Ensured accurate handling of cash and electronic payments, maintaining register balance.
Process Worker
McCain Foods NZ
11.2024 - 06.2025
- Operated within a team to meet daily production targets in a food processing facility.
- Maintained hygiene and safety compliance while working rotating shifts.
- Via Adecco
- Recognised for a 'Good Catch' in improving productivity in corn production and in eliminating process waste and enhancing efficiency.
- Operated production machinery to ensure efficient food processing workflows.
- Conducted quality checks on finished products to maintain high standards.
- Operated machinery to ensure efficient production of frozen food products.
- Monitored quality control measures to uphold product standards and safety regulations.
Assistant General Manager – Head of Business Development & Portfolio Strategy (Special Projects)
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Spearheaded the development and launch of five strategic lending products—Snap Pay (Smartphone Loan), Fintrex Study Pulse (Education Loan), Fintrex Solar Loan (Green Loan), Fintrex AgriNEX (Agri Loan), and Fintrex Over Drive (Business Loan) ensuring full regulatory compliance by aligning product features and risk-rating models with CBSL guidelines.
- Engineered a fully automated credit decisioning and control framework for small-ticket tech loans by embedding policy-driven risk parameters into the approval engine—enabling instant system decisions and enforcing repayment through IMEI-based remote locking via Samsung Knox and Data Cultr.
- Designed and rolled out performance-based incentive models and real-time performance dashboards, enhancing productivity and transparency across business units.
- Led the integration of the Credit Management System (CMS) with external data sources including CRIB, DPR Sri Lanka, and Samsung Sri Lanka’s IMEI database via API, in collaboration with IT, to enhance credit decision-making, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency.
- Led operational strategies to enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Streamlined financial processes, improving efficiency and reducing turnaround time.
- Led operational strategy to enhance customer service delivery and satisfaction.
- Streamlined financial processes, resulting in improved efficiency across departments.
Assistant General Manager – Head of Branches / Business Development
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Developed and executed business development strategies to drive revenue growth, market share, and profitability.
- Identified new markets, strategic alliances, and partnership opportunities.
- Innovated and led the development of new financial products tailored to customer and market needs.
- Led sales teams and dealer/branch networks, designed incentive structures, and tracked performance KPIs.
- Oversaw B2B and B2C client onboarding strategies to ensure high-value customer retention.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activity to guide tactical decisions.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to align growth initiatives with organizational capacity and compliance.
- Mentored and developed high-performing business development teams.
Assistant General Manager – Head of Portfolio Management & Business Development
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Screened, assessed, and approved credit applications with delegated authority up to LKR 7.5 million.
- Led full-cycle credit assessment and disbursement processes in compliance with internal and regulatory frameworks.
- Expanded portfolio through strategic partnerships with UNIMO, DIMO, TOYOTA Lanka, and broker networks.
- Structured new acquisition channels and incentive models to drive volume growth and dealer performance.
- Re-engineered credit workflows, significantly reducing processing time and improving ease of business.
- Implemented a CMS incorporating risk rating, performance review, CRM-based lead management, and a cloud-based vehicle verification system.
- Drove automation initiatives to support data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency.
- Monitored portfolio health and introduced credit risk mitigation strategies.
- Led performance reviews and segmentation for targeted portfolio management.
- Led operational strategy to optimize branch performance and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Developed training programs for staff to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
Assistant General Manager – Head of Recoveries & Portfolio Management
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2019 - 07.2021
- COVID-19 Crisis Leadership & Department Transformation
- Led a comprehensive transformation of the Recoveries Department amid COVID-19, navigating severe cash flow disruptions and widespread business bankruptcies.
- Developed and executed a strategic, win-win recovery approach that balanced sustaining business relationships with maximizing recoveries and maintaining portfolio quality.
- Restructured the team and redeployed idle resources from other departments, optimizing workforce efficiency during reduced business activity.
- Strengthened credit policies, leveraging analytics to guide decisions on provisioning, write-offs, and risk management.
- Introduced a new recovery system and enhanced MIS reporting, enabling data-driven decision-making and improved portfolio performance.
- Managed end-to-end recovery operations, including soft collections, legal actions, settlements, and asset repossession.
- Led tele-collections teams, regional and cluster recovery units, and coordinated third-party agencies to meet recovery targets and portfolio quality goals.
- Ensured full compliance with Central Bank regulations (CBSL) and internal policies throughout recovery activities.
- Implemented a digital auction platform and robust yard management system, increasing realization rates and accelerating turnaround times.
Senior Manager – Credit & Branch Operations
Central Finance Company PLC
05.2004 - 07.2019
- Progressed from Management Trainee to Senior Manager, holding roles in branch management, credit evaluation, and operational leadership.
- As Senior Manager – Credit, evaluated customer creditworthiness, monitored repayment, approved loans, and reviewed credit policies.
- Developed and implemented a credit scoring model to enhance risk assessment.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
Postgraduate Institute of Management
Sri Lanka06.2023
Bachelor of Science - General
Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka12.2003
Skills
- Portfolio and Credit Risk Management
- Sales and Business Development
- Debt Recovery Strategy
- Financial Analysis and MIS Reporting
- Regulatory Compliance
- Process Improvement (Lean Six Sigma)
- Team Leadership and Staff Coaching
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Strategic Planning
- Team work
- Operating cash registers
- Dealing with customer complaints
- Working under pressure
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, APEX Institute of Management, 2021-2022
- CBSL Training: Credit Risk, Financial Analysis, Banking Law, Lease & Asset Financing
Languages
English
Professional Working
Interests
- Music
- Drawing and Painting
- Hiking
- Gym Workouts
- Cooking
Timeline
Checkout Operator
New World Onekawa
07.2025 - Current
Process Worker
McCain Foods NZ
11.2024 - 06.2025
Assistant General Manager – Head of Business Development & Portfolio Strategy (Special Projects)
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2023 - 07.2024
Assistant General Manager – Head of Branches / Business Development
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2022 - 07.2023
Assistant General Manager – Head of Portfolio Management & Business Development
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2021 - 07.2022
Assistant General Manager – Head of Recoveries & Portfolio Management
Fintrex Finance Ltd
07.2019 - 07.2021
Senior Manager – Credit & Branch Operations
Central Finance Company PLC
05.2004 - 07.2019
MBA - Business Administration
Postgraduate Institute of Management
Bachelor of Science - General
Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
TECHNICAL & PERSONAL SKILLS
- MS Office, CRM Tools, MIS Dashboards
- Time Management & Self-Motivated
- Client-Facing Communication
- Ethical,Detail-Oriented, Adaptable to dynamic environments
Interests
Passionate about sales, business development, and customer engagement. Keen on process improvement, operational efficiency, and financial services, including SME lending and credit evaluation. Motivated by continuous learning, personal development, and contributing to positive team culture.