The application is signed — but not by someone with legal authority. This is one of the most overlooked risks in credit approvals.

✓ Always check who signed. Confirm the signatory is a listed director, owner, or has a documented letter of authority before approving.

This is one of the fastest ways to get an audit finding. If you change the recommended limit, you must document why.

✓ If you change it, write why. Use the notes field in Trade Shield to record your reasoning every time you deviate from the system recommendation.

The numbers might technically allow it — but commercially, it does not feel right. Commercial judgement is part of the job.

⚠ If it feels off, escalate. Your commercial instinct is a valid risk signal. Pause, document your concern, and loop in a senior approver rather than proceeding under pressure.

Fraud teams see this constantly. A mismatch between banking details and the registered entity is a major red flag that must never be ignored.

⚠ Names must match. The name on the bank account must match the registered legal entity name. Any discrepancy — even minor spelling — must be investigated before approval.

This is the silent killer.

Assuming someone else has already verified the application is how most avoidable losses happen. The approver owns the decision — period.

⚠ The approver owns the decision. When you click approve, you are confirming that you have personally verified the key details. Do not approve based on the assumption that another party already checked.