Credit Analyst Job Description: Role, Duties and Qualifications

The Credit Analyst assesses borrower creditworthiness, prepares credit assessments and supports lending decisions. Professionals with finance or banking experience, strong analytical skills and attention to detail should apply.

Credit Analyst Job Profile

The Credit Analyst evaluates the credit risk of prospective and existing borrowers by analysing financial information, credit histories and market conditions. The role provides evidence-based recommendations to support lending decisions, credit approvals and portfolio management.

This position requires a methodical approach to financial analysis, clear written recommendations and collaborative engagement with relationship managers, risk teams and senior credit committees. The Credit Analyst contributes to the integrity of the credit process by ensuring assessments comply with policy and regulatory requirements.

Credit Analyst Job Description

The Credit Analyst prepares comprehensive credit assessments including financial statement analysis, cash flow forecasting and sensitivity testing to determine repayment capacity and default risk. Reports are presented in a clear format with an overall risk rating, recommended actions and suggested covenants where appropriate.

In this role the analyst will conduct due diligence on borrowers and guarantors, review collateral documentation and monitor portfolio performance to identify emerging risks. The role requires timely escalation of concerns, contribution to credit policy refinement and participation in credit committee discussions where recommendations are defended and justified.

Expectations include maintaining accurate credit files, producing management reports, supporting credit reviews and working within established governance and compliance frameworks. The analyst must balance thorough analysis with pragmatic decision support to enable efficient credit processing.

Credit Analyst: Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyse financial statements, cash flows and key ratios to assess borrower repayment capacity and financial stability
• Prepare clear, structured credit memoranda with risk ratings, lending recommendations and proposed covenants
• Conduct borrower due diligence including verification of financial information and background checks
• Evaluate collateral quality, valuation and legal enforceability where applicable
• Develop and apply credit scoring and risk assessment methodologies to support decision making
• Monitor loan performance and early warning indicators to identify deteriorating credits
• Support the credit approval process by presenting findings to credit committees and senior management
• Liaise with relationship managers to obtain required documentation and clarify commercial context
• Maintain complete and auditable credit files in line with internal policy and regulatory expectations
• Contribute to periodic portfolio reviews and stress testing exercises
• Recommend and draft appropriate covenant structures and risk mitigations for new and renewed facilities
• Prepare management and regulatory reports on credit exposures and concentrations
• Assist with remediation actions for non-performing or distressed accounts
• Identify process improvements and contribute to credit policy updates
• Ensure compliance with credit policy, regulatory requirements and internal governance standards

Credit Analyst: Requirements and Qualifications

• Degree in finance, accounting, economics or a related discipline
• Relevant work experience in credit analysis, corporate banking or risk management, typically 2 to 5 years
• Strong understanding of financial statements and ratio analysis
• Proven ability to build financial models and perform cash flow forecasting
• Good judgement in assessing credit risk and recommending lending decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly
• High level of attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Knowledge of credit policy frameworks, regulatory requirements and compliance principles
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines while maintaining quality
• Strong numeracy and analytical problem solving skills
• Teamwork orientation and experience collaborating with relationship managers and risk functions
• Professional qualification in finance or accounting or progress towards such a qualification is desirable