A leading international financial institution is seeking a Bilingual Credit Risk Associate to join its Japanese Corporate Banking team in New York.
This role is responsible for the underwriting and portfolio management of a portfolio of Japanese corporate clients, including complex lending relationships involving large credit exposures, non-investment grade borrowers, structured finance transactions, and companies with sophisticated corporate structures.
The successful candidate will work closely with Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, and other internal stakeholders to support high-quality credit decisions and prudent portfolio management.
Key Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Underwriting
- Perform due diligence and periodic credit reviews for assigned corporate clients.
- Analyze credit risk and recommend appropriate internal risk ratings.
- Prepare detailed credit memoranda and credit approval packages for new and existing credit facilities.
- Evaluate borrowers’ financial condition, industry trends, business performance, and legal risks.
- Manage assigned credit portfolio and ensure timely completion of annual reviews and other required credit actions.
- Develop a thorough understanding of commercial banking products, including loans, standby letters of credit, trade finance, foreign exchange, derivatives, securitization, and leasing.
- Interview senior management of borrowers, when appropriate, to better understand their business strategies, financial performance, and risk profile.
- Maintain communication with Relationship Managers and, when appropriate, directly with assigned clients.
- Coordinate critical credit information with internal departments to ensure timely credit administration.
- Monitor covenant compliance, reporting requirements, facility maturities, and other ongoing portfolio obligations.
- Perform other credit risk management duties as assigned.
Deal Support
- Support new lending opportunities from the credit underwriting perspective.
- Analyze proposed transaction structures and identify key credit risks and mitigating factors.
- Recommend appropriate loan structures, terms, and financial covenants consistent with the Bank’s credit policies.
- Advise Relationship Managers on credit-related issues to help structure sound and profitable transactions.
- Coordinate with Credit Administration and other internal stakeholders throughout the credit approval process.
Risk Management & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable banking regulations and the Bank’s internal credit policies and procedures.
- Support portfolio monitoring, regulatory reporting, and other credit risk management initiatives.
- Assist with process improvements and ongoing enhancements to credit risk management practices.
- Provide guidance and on-the-job support to junior team members, when appropriate.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of experience in commercial banking, corporate banking, credit analysis, risk management, corporate finance, investment banking, accounting, consulting, or another related financial analysis role.
- Strong knowledge of financial statement analysis and corporate credit.
- Excellent analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Business-level proficiency in both Japanese and English.
Preferred
- Experience working with Japanese corporate clients.
- Experience underwriting middle-market or large corporate lending transactions.
- MBA, CFA, or other relevant professional certification.
- Knowledge of commercial lending products and banking operations.
