Project Finance Portfolio Management - Associate

Role Description

SMBC's Global Structured Finance Department is looking for an Associate to join its Portfolio Management team covering project finance transactions in Latin America (the “Team”).

The Team is responsible for managing all aspects of SMBC’s Latin American project finance portfolio. The portfolio consists of transactions in the conventional and renewable power, natural resources and new energies, infrastructure, and telecom sectors. The role entails performing credit monitoring/control/administration of a portfolio of borrowers with a view to identifying potential credit issues preemptively. In addition, a significant portion of the role involves analyzing amendment/consent/waiver requests, evaluating the credit impact of the requests and any mitigants, and preparing applications with recommended actions for credit decisions

Role Objectives: Delivery

Responsible for effective credit and risk management, with emphasis on adherence to credit policy and requirements, financial analysis/modeling, risk evaluation, on-going portfolio maintenance activities, and as needed client support.

· Oversee the overall credit worthiness of an assigned portfolio of obligors and their ability to meet their financial obligations for traditional credit-based products. Continuously monitor the portfolio with a view to identifying deteriorating situations early.

· Responsible for monitoring and reporting on the portfolio quality against established criteria and recommending adjustments to grading of existing credit facilities, as appropriate.

· Prepare periodic reviews for the borrowers in the assigned portfolio.

· Work with borrowers, legal counsels, independent engineers, and other consultants as necessary to structure and manage consent processes (including but not limited to waivers and amendments of financing documents, etc.).

· Analyze and, if appropriate, seek credit approval for amendment and consent requests from borrowers. In preparing applications for credit approval, the Associate must have a good understanding of the request, the impact of the proposed consent on the credit risk of the borrower/transaction, any mitigants to the increased risk and the justification for approval of the request.

· Responsible for mitigating loss by counterparty credit analysis related to a range of products marketed to corporate, institutional and / or government clients.

· Responsible for creating strategy that will minimize credit risk in line with the firm's objectives, as well as assisting in the underwriting process for potential new borrowers.

· Ensure registration of accurate and up-to-date KYC information for borrowers.

· Respond to ad hoc information requests.

Role Objectives: Expertise

· Deep understanding of legal documents and proficiency in financial analysis.

· Expected to have highly advanced level of credit experience and execution experience in proposing and negotiating, both internally and externally, credit and covenant structures and documenting loans.

· Good knowledge of credit structures of project finance transactions or other asset-based credit transactions that often involves multiple layers of stakeholders. Ability to complete complex credit analysis, negotiate with deal parties, and process closing in short turnaround periods,

· Broad knowledge of the project finance market and the ability to manage risk within a complex and diverse portfolio.

· Ability to manage the delivery of direct and agent support to the line units to ensure timely and quality support in addition to compatibility with Bank's risk appetite and profile.

· Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance framework.

· Knowledge of a broad range of financial products.

· Strong ability to write and present well thought out arguments.

· Highly organized

· Ability to work on multiple transactions at once.

· Ability to speak/read business Spanish and/or Portuguese preferred but not required.

· Ability to work independently but not afraid to ask questions.

· Highly self-motivated and proactive in their approach to work.

· Attention to detail.

· Able to work under tight time deadlines.

· Adaptable to unexpected situations.

· Good familiarity with using Microsoft Excel to run sensitivity analyses, update model assumptions, etc

Qualifications and Skills

A minimum of 2-3 years of experience covering project finance transactions in a portfolio management team or credit department of a lending institution.

· Strong background in accounting / financial statement analysis / modelling / legal documents is preferred.

· Ability to speak/read business Spanish and/or Portuguese preferred but not required

· Required: BA / BS

· Preferred: MA / MS / MBA / CFA

Additional Requirements

D&I Commitment

Responsible for fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, holding leaders accountable for creating an inclusive environment through awareness and practice of equity in recruiting, developing, and promoting diverse talent.