Credit Analyst - London International Bank

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Credit Analyst to join the Credit function of a leading international bank within its London office.

The successful candidate will be responsible for undertaking comprehensive credit analysis across a diverse lending portfolio, including:

• Corporate and commercial borrowers
• Commercial real estate transactions
• Private banking and retail facilities secured against property
• Banks and other financial institutions

Working closely with Relationship Directors, business development teams and senior credit stakeholders, the Credit Analyst will assess new lending proposals, annual reviews, facility renewals and amendments, providing clear, well-supported recommendations to the relevant credit approval authorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Credit Analysis and Underwriting
• Review credit applications originated by the Bank’s Corporate, Commercial Real Estate, Private Banking, Retail Banking and Financial Institutions business areas.
• Undertake detailed credit risk assessments for new lending proposals, facility renewals, amendments and annual reviews.
• Prepare high-quality written credit reports and recommendations for individuals, corporate borrowers, public-sector organisations, banks and other financial institutions.
• Analyse the financial position, performance, funding requirements and repayment capacity of corporate and non-corporate borrowers.
• Spread and interpret financial statements, management accounts, cash flow information and financial projections.
• Prepare or assess cash flow forecasts, sensitivity analyses and stress-testing scenarios where required.
• Evaluate transaction structures, sources of repayment, security packages, guarantees, collateral coverage and key credit risks.
• Review commercial real estate lending proposals, including transactions supported by property assets or mortgage security.
• Assess private banking and retail lending applications where facilities are secured against property or other assets.
• Review external credit reports, covenant compliance certificates, valuations, legal documentation and other supporting information.
• Assign and maintain appropriate internal credit ratings in accordance with the Bank’s credit methodology.
• Ensure credit recommendations are clearly evidenced, commercially considered and aligned with the Bank’s credit risk appetite, policies and procedures.
• Portfolio Monitoring and Annual Reviews
• Complete annual and interim credit reviews for corporate borrowers, non-corporate customers, banks and other financial institutions within agreed timescales.
• Monitor borrower performance, covenant compliance, facility utilisation, repayment behaviour and emerging credit risks.
• Prepare monthly portfolio reports, watchlist updates, exception reports and other management information.
• Identify deteriorating credit quality, emerging risks or potential early-warning indicators and escalate concerns promptly.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date borrower files, financial information, credit records and supporting documentation.
• Review management information produced for the Credit function to ensure that exceptions, overdue reviews and control issues are appropriately identified and managed.
• Stakeholder Management
• Work closely with Relationship Directors and Account Officers to understand customers, transaction structures and lending requirements.
• Support business development teams in structuring credit proposals and addressing credit-related queries.
• Provide credit analysis and supporting information to Credit Committees and other approval authorities.
• Attend customer meetings and site visits alongside Relationship Directors or Account Officers where appropriate.
• Liaise with Treasury, Trade Finance, Finance, Legal, Operations, Compliance and other internal stakeholders.
• Communicate credit decisions, conditions and information requirements clearly and constructively.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of credit processes, reporting standards, service levels and departmental controls.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in credit analysis, credit underwriting or credit risk within a bank or regulated financial institution.
• Strong financial statement analysis and financial modelling capabilities.
• Experience assessing corporate lending applications and completing annual credit reviews.

• Exposure to one or more of the following would be advantageous

• Corporate and commercial lending
• Commercial real estate finance
• Private banking or asset-backed lending
• Banks and financial institutions
• Ability to assess complex financial information and present clear, concise and commercially balanced credit recommendations.
• Good understanding of credit structures, security, covenants, internal credit ratings and portfolio monitoring.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and time management.
• Ability to manage multiple credit submissions and annual reviews within agreed deadlines.
• A relevant degree, banking qualification, accountancy qualification or credit-related professional qualification would be advantageous.