What does a Credit Analyst do?
Credit analysts assess the credit data and financial statements of individuals or firms to determine any and all potential risk involved in extending credit or lending money to them. They prepare reports with credit information for use of informed decision-making by the financial institutions where they work.
Credit analysts compile the applicant’s financial records and information to make knowledgeable recommendations on whether to extend them credit. If they are preparing a portfolio recommendation to an individual investor, a credit analyst will take their past financial statements and credit history and combine the information with the current health of their lines of credit. Credit analysts also enter, update, and retrieve information for credit applications to determine the applicant's worthiness. They designate the risk involved when extending credit by performing cash flow analysis and ensure the approved applications are in compliance with firm and lender criteria and regulations. They keep abreast of financial news and trends and ensure they are up-to-date on due diligence to ensure quality. Credit analysts need a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related subject.
- Perform and manage credit and financial analysis and reviews.
- Prepare cash flow models for the basis of credit decisions.
- Understand and evaluate financial statements, perform detailed financial analysis, and determine credit risk of customers.
- Set up and maintain databases used to analyze accounts and/or portfolios.
- Maintain and provide input to commercial loan pricing model.
- Manage Letters of Credit process to ensure prompt payment.
- Generally furnish information relative to credit inquiries to appropriate parties.
- Participate in external and internal audits, and regulatory examinations as needed.
- Interface with sales, account managers, and billing in reconciling accounts.
- Analyze requests for changes to collateral on existing loans.
- Provide additional loan agreement / covenant monitoring support to commercial lending and underwriting groups.
- Understand and complete job responsibilities in accordance with federal and state regulations.
- Write memos and develop presentations summarizing analysis, results, and recommendations.
- Obtain and review financial statements on a timely basis.
- Maintain accurate credit and collection files and collection notes.
- Ensure attainment of accounts receivable and cash collection rolling forecasts.
- Propose methods and procedures on new assignments.
- Monitor for receipt, and analyze and evaluate documents surrounding credits.
- Track and monitor data required to respond to RFPs and internal reporting.
- Interact on a daily basis with customers via email and phone.
- Investigate and resolve problems (equipment failures, duplicate or incorrect shipments, special terms, pricing errors, early shipments.)
- Identify loan policy and regulatory exceptions as they apply to individual loans.
- associates or Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business, finance or business administration, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with R Language and spreadsheets.
- Prior experience in a banking position.
- Strict attention to detail and professionalism alongside negotiation and critical thinking skills.
- Solid work ethic and decision making skills.
- Is a natural problem solver with sound judgment.
- Experienced in enterprise resource planning, and with ratios, GAAP, statistics, and professional writing.
How much does a Credit Analyst make near United States?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$72,155
/ yrCredit Analyst Career Path
Learn how to become a Credit Analyst, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Credit Analyst Insights
Allied Bank Pakistan“Officially you cannot be promoted before 3 years no matter how good you're at your job.”
Wells Fargo“Job expectations are reasonable and the pay raises are solid if you are performing well.”
Public Bank“4. Career development: Career development is unfriendly to processing staff as marketing staff have faster career promotion.”
NewDay USA“NewDay has a terrific training program which will set you up for the next step in your career.”
USAA“Ultimately he got in trouble but I left because it is a military bank and I was being discriminated against for being a disabled veteran.”
HSBC“Job prospect is interesting and good”
Bank of Ireland“Career progress is slow and restricted”
Talixo“People I am working with are really nice and helpful.”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Credit Analyst
When working as a Credit Analyst, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Microsoft Office Suite, Excellent Organizational, Excellent Communication, Written Communication, and Problem Solving.
- Financial Analyst
- Credit Manager
- Finance Manager
- Controller
The most common qualifications to become a Credit Analyst include a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.