Senior Leveraged Finance Commercial Loan Analyst - First American Bank

First American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida.  As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $5+ billion.  We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy.  Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century.  First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations. 

The Senior Leveraged Finance Commercial Loan Analyst is responsible for servicing a specific group of the division’s existing business customers and to assume responsibility for aspects of credit and loan management for those customers within the leveraged lending group. In addition, this individual is responsible for evaluating and underwriting leveraged finance transactions, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and other corporate finance activities. This senior analyst may be responsible for customer retention and relationship management.  

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES

• Conduct thorough financial analysis of potential leveraged finance transactions, including assessing historical and projected financial performance, evaluating cash flow metrics, and analyzing collateral value.
• Perform comprehensive credit analysis to assess leveraged lending transactions, including leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and other corporate finance activities. 
• Independently analyze and measure First American Bank’s risk through regular financial assessment of existing business customers to evaluate transaction economics, debt capacity, and potential risk factors. Present individual analyses at internal bank meetings held to assess business customers’ financial conditions.
• Manage assigned authority, through the daily exercise of discretion and independent judgment, for loan approval for existing business customers, including assessment of credit approval, collateral decisions and loan structure, as well as authorizing and approving wire transfers and customer account overdrafts.
• Delegate and direct the training and oversight of, and allocation of workload to, Commercial Loan Analysts, fostering their professional development and enhancing team capabilities.  
• Analyze loan documents, with responsibility for ensuring accuracy, and meet with customers to finalize execution. 
• Monitor existing leveraged finance portfolio for performance and compliance with covenants, conducting periodic reviews and assessments as necessary.
• Recommend and provide expert advice and counsel to existing bank customers on a broad range of bank products and services, both within the Commercial Loan Department and also including Treasury Management, Wealth Management, Private Banking and Trade Finance, based on individualized assessment of the customer’s overall business needs and financial circumstance. 
• Stay abreast of market trends, regulatory developments, and industry best practices related to leveraged finance and commercial lending.
• Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor degree required with an emphasis in business, finance or accounting preferred. 
• Minimum four years of commercial credit analysis or equivalent experience required, preferably in the leverage finance sector.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, provide supervision to other employees, and prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Exercise an advanced understanding of the commercial loan transaction, including credit approval, collateral decisions and loan structure.
• Detail oriented individual with solid financial/accounting aptitude.
• Must be self-motivated, efficient, and possess cooperative work habits to quickly adjust to the fast pace of peak transaction periods and new business.  
• Must be professional, comfortable speaking with external and internal contacts with a demonstrated ability to tailor the message appropriately to the audience and situation effectively. 
• Demonstrated ability to convey thoughts and ideas effectively and succinctly via written formats, including emails, letters, and electronic platforms. Maintain professional standards relating to spelling and grammar. 
• Maintain credibility through professional demeanor, appearance, and presence by modeling standards appropriate to our environment and industry.  
• Maintain good working relationships with internal partners by exhibiting exemplary interpersonal skills, adopting a constructive, solutions-focused approach. 
• Use sound professional judgment to balance the interests of the organization and customer, understanding and using available resources to mitigate risks.  
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products and applications, including the ability to effectively prepare or review documents, procedures, and reports.  
• Demonstrated ability to learn new systems and applications, as well as the ability to understand, adapt and adjust responsibilities/workflows as a result of system upgrades.  
• Occasional travel to other First American Bank locations, Bank functions, and training facilities may be required.  
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may be required depending upon business need.  
• Hybrid office scheduling.
• Punctuality is required to maintain First American Bank’s customer service standards.