Credit Analyst - Entry Level

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

At Community Financial System, Inc. (CFSI), we are dedicated to providing our customers with friendly, personalized, high-quality financial services and products. Our retail division, Community Bank, N.A., operates more than 200 customer facilities across Upstate New York, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Beyond retail banking, we also offer commercial banking, wealth management, investment management, insurance and risk management, and benefit plan administration.

 

Just as our employees are committed to helping our customers manage their finances, we’re committed to our employees. After all, they make it happen for our customers every day.

 

To ensure our people can enjoy long and successful careers here at CFSI, we offer competitive compensation, great benefits, and professional development and advancement opportunities. As an equal-opportunity workplace and affirmative-action employer, we celebrate and support a diverse workplace for the benefit of all: our employees, customers and communities.

Responsibilities

 

The Commercial Credit Analyst I is responsible for supporting the underwriting functions of the Bank by independently analyzing and underwriting commercial loan relationships of low to moderate complexity. This role prepares credit memoranda, evaluates borrower financial performance, identifies credit risks, and supports prudent credit decision making in accordance with the Bank’s credit policies and underwriting standards. This role works closely with Credit Officers, relationship managers, portfolio managers, and senior credit personnel, handling a broad range of credit structures and demonstrating sound credit judgment. The Commercial Credit Analyst I develops foundational commercial credit skills while contributing to sound credit decision-making and portfolio quality for the Bank.

Essential Responsibilities:

Credit Analysis & Underwriting

• Spread and analyze borrower and guarantor financial statements, tax returns, and cash flow projections.
• Prepare complete and well supported credit memoranda for new loans, renewals, modifications, and annual reviews.
• Perform in depth analysis of liquidity, leverage, cash flow, repayment capacity, and global cash flow.
• Identify key credit risks and recommend appropriate loan structures, covenants, collateral, and guarantor support. 
• Assess borrower trends, industry factors, and structural risks impacting credit quality.

Portfolio & Relationship Support

• Support relationship managers by providing timely and accurate credit analysis.
• Monitor assigned portfolio relationships for covenant compliance, financial reporting, and emerging risk.
• Follow up on financial statement requirements and borrower information as needed.
• Participate in portfolio reviews and deal structuring discussions.
• Accompany relationship managers on customer calls, as appropriate, to support financial discussions, clarify credit information, and gain deeper understanding of borrower operations.

Credit Quality & Policy Application

• Apply the Bank’s credit policies, underwriting guidelines, and documentation standards consistently.
• Assist with initial and ongoing risk rating assignments and updates.
• Identify deterioration or emerging concerns and promptly communicate findings to credit leadership.
• Ensure credit files and analysis are complete, accurate, and well documented.

Professional Contribution

• Develop strong understanding of commercial credit risk principles and underwriting standards.
• Contribute to effective workflow, accuracy, and consistency within the credit function.
• Develop technical credit skills and industry knowledge.
• Assist with special projects related to the job function, as determined by credit management.

Ancillary Duties:

As an integral member of the Credit Department, this position is also responsible to provide assistance wherever necessary to help the Credit Department and the Bank in achieving their goals.

 

Qualifications

Education, Training and Requirements: BS or BA degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics or a related field. Education in credit analysis and commercial lending a plus.

 

Skills: Proficient reading, writing, grammar and mathematics skills; proficient interpersonal relations and communications skills; a thorough knowledge of: financial statement analysis, loan structuring, current laws/regulations applicable to commercial lending, and loan policies and procedures of the Bank; must be able to work productively with varying levels of management and staff. Requires a self-starter approach, with a high degree of initiative and the ability to work independently with minimal to moderate supervision. High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.

Experience:  Commercial banking, accounting, or finance-related internship experience is preferred. Recent college graduates with relevant academic coursework are encouraged to apply.