Credit/Risk Analyst - Fund Finance (Assistant Manager)

Sterling Williams are working alongside an International Bank in the heart of the city of London who are seeking an experienced candidate to join their Credit function - with a focus on Fund Finance.

Credit/Risk Analyst (Assistant Manager)

Permanent Vacancy - hybrid working

Salary circa £58 - £70,000 pa plus benefits

City of London based.

The wider team sits as a key part of the second line of defence (2LOD) within the credit risk governance framework. The team engages in a combination of credit review and approval for credit transactions. The candidate will be responsible for conducting credit reviews and ongoing credit monitoring activities for the fund finance business. The role supports effective credit risk management in the fund finance sector by providing oversight of products such as subscription lines of credit, NAV bridge facility, NAV based asset-acquisition financing, and FX facilities.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Perform independent review and analysis of credit risks associated with borrowers, asset managers, investors in investment funds. This includes evaluating deal structures, documentation, and applicable terms and conditions such as financial or non-financial covenants for fund finance transactions.
• Discuss and review covenants and overall credit assessments with relevant reviewers and establish appropriate rationale to accept them.
• Assess both qualitative and quantitative factors that determines potential credit risk, including exposure to borrowers, investment managers, LP investors, markets, and counterparties. Communicate key insights to senior managers through effective risk identification and monitoring.
• Prepare comprehensive credit opinion memos to support decision makers based on the clear credit analysis.
• Provide necessary reports to the management and the Head Office (as required), in coordination with line manager.
• Conduct ongoing credit monitoring including but not limited to annual or periodical credit rating review reports of the borrowers prepared by the first line of defence.
• Process and review credit documents such as internal rating and credit applications/reports prepared by the first line of defence, for submission to reviewers and approver.
• Make proactive suggestions and recommendations to improve administrative processes to enhance efficiency.
• Verify that the front office has conducted required compliance checks in accordance with internal policies and applicable regulations.
• Ensure adherence to the bank’s corporate compliance, risk management, and internal control guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties between the first line and the credit supervisory functions.
• Lead or contribute to initiatives aimed at improving credit-related processes and reducing operational errors and incidents.

The successful candidate will likely have:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, or ACA/ACCA (preferred but not essential)
• 6-8 years of relevant experience within the financial services industry.
• At least 2-4 years of hands-on experience in credit analysis or credit risk management.
• Experience in financial institutions in business lines that may include: corporate finance, structured finance, Fund Finance, FX, derivatives, deposit, and any other related financial services or products.
• Practical knowledge of financial documents, with the ability to evaluate the contents of legal documentation.
• Strong credit analysis skills, both qualitative and quantitative, including the ability to assess financial statements, credit ratios, and counterparty risk.
• Familiarity with credit risk rating models, covenant structures, and regulatory expectations for credit oversight.
• Previous experience reviewing credit documents and providing appropriate, constructive feedback to the first line (1LOD).
• Experience preparing credit opinion write-ups that are clear, concise, consistent, complete, logical and relevant for decision makers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain credit decisions and analysis clearly to stakeholders including first line, senior management, and Head Office.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to set priorities in a multitasking environment and meet deadlines.
• Ability to analyse complex transactions and identify key credit risks.
• High attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in credit reviews, documentation, and reporting.
• General knowledge of finance and credit assessment and experience in the fund finance industry whether in the front or middle office would be beneficial
• Knowledge of institutional investors, including insurance companies, pension funds, endowments/foundations or sovereign wealth funds, is a plus.