Credit Analyst

About the role:

The Credit Analyst for Agriculture is responsible for conducting credit risk assessments and providing high-quality credit recommendations on transactions to support sound lending decisions at Merchant West. The role involves analysing financial information, structuring deals, identifying risks, and ensuring compliance with credit policies and governance frameworks. The Credit Analyst plays a key role in maintaining the quality of the credit portfolio, supporting business growth, and mentoring junior analysts.

Responsibilities:

1. Credit Risk Assessment and Analysis
   • Conduct detailed financial analysis and credit assessments of transactions.
   • Evaluate financial statements, cash flows, and risk indicators to determine creditworthiness.
   • Identify key risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
2. Credit Recommendation and Approval Support
   • Prepare high-quality recommendations for approval.
   • Ensure credit submissions are accurate, well-structured, and aligned with policy.
   • Support credit committees with clear and well-reasoned credit insights.
3. Deal Structuring and Transaction Support
   • Support structuring of transactions to balance commercial objectives and risk requirements.
   • Collaborate with business units to deliver viable and competitive solutions.
4. Credit Governance and Compliance
   • Ensure adherence to credit policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
   • Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails.
5. Mentorship and Team Support
   • Provide guidance and support to junior credit analysts.
   • Assist in improving quality and consistency of credit analysis across the team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting, or Risk Management would be advantageous.

Experience:

• 3-5 years credit /banking experience in the field of Agricultural credit analysis.

Skills: 

• Understanding financial statement analysis and credit risk evaluation in general
• Ability to understand farming operations and farming cashflows
• Ability to communicate effectively with farmers
• Ability to discern the relevant risks in Agri and mitigate properly by way of deal structuring
• Ability to motivate and explain complex transactions to Credit Committee members.
• Ability to prepare quality credit submissions

Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and attention to detail and accuracy are key.
• Communication skills needed for effective communication with various internal stakeholders
• Presentation skills are important (the ability to present facts in a coherent manner). Commercial judgement and financial