ABL Associate

Fifth Third Bank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Fifth Third Bank is seeking an ABL Associate in Chicago to support origination, underwriting, and credit management for asset-based lending relationships. You will engage with sponsors and internal deal teams to structure credit facilities and monitor risk on a growing portfolio.

Ideal candidates bring 3–5 years of credit analysis experience in commercial banking, strong analytical and communication skills, and proficiency with MS Office and loan systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or Accounting.
• 3–5 years credit analysis, loan review, or underwriting in Commercial Banking including 1+ year in Asset Based Lending.
• Knowledge of asset-based lending, private equity, capital markets, and M&A; experience with credit analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; ability to learn new loan administration systems.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day coverage, origination, and transaction management for existing and prospective clients including covered Sponsors.
• Prioritize and support a pipeline of ABL financing opportunities.
• Support underwriting approval and loan closing processes including loan systems setup and administration and preparation of presentation materials for credit approval.
• May manage ongoing credit risk of a basic portfolio of ABL relationships and participate in portfolio meetings with senior management.
• May maintain up-to-date trend cards/portfolio review forms, credit files and legal files and document credit decisions.

Skills

Asset-based lending

Credit analysis

Relationship management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

MS Office (Word/PowerPoint/Excel)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance or Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Commercial loan systems

Job description

Make banking a Fifth Third better
We connect great people to great opportunities. Are you ready to take the next step? Discover a career in banking at Fifth Third Bank.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities for this role are below; you may support projects of varying complexity based on skill and organizational priorities.

• Support day-to-day coverage, origination, and transaction management responsibilities for existing and prospective clients including covered Sponsors.
• Prioritize and support a pipeline of ABL financing opportunities.
• Support underwriting approval and loan closing processes including loan systems setup and administration and preparation of presentation materials for credit approval.
• May manage the ongoing credit risk of a basic portfolio of ABL relationships and participate in portfolio meetings with senior management.
• May maintain up to date trend cards/portfolio review forms, credit files and legal files through our departments’ resources and capture and document credit decisions, conditions, and modifications.
• Supports multiple opportunities, partnerships and routines with key internal deal team members.
• Develops and maintains internal relationships with the coverage team including Relationship Managers/Credit Risk Officers.
• Develops and maintains external relationships with assigned customers, including regular client meetings and business development calls, helping to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
• Apply knowledge of credit analysis, asset-based lending and capital markets activity.
• Mentor more junior team members including analysts.
• Maintain a focus on continuous learning to keep up with ever-changing market dynamics.
• Basic familiarity with the ABL legal environment, including secured transaction laws and creditor rights, with a strong interest in further developing that knowledge.
• Required to successfully complete all required compliance training.
• Perform additional job related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, ideally with concentration in Business, Finance or Accounting.
• 3-5 years credit analysis and/or loan review or underwriting experience in Commercial Banking including 1+ years of experience in an Asset Based Lending environment, in underwriting or field examination, or as a loan officer; or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of asset-based lending, private equity, capital markets, merger and acquisition structures, and experience with credit analysis is a plus.
• Familiarity with credit policies, procedures, and terminology.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Experience in originating and executing complex financial transactions is a plus.
• Analytical skills, critical thinking and verbal and written communication skills.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have intermediate knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and Excel spreadsheet software. Proficient with technology and ability to learn new applications including commercial loan administration systems.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Qualified candidates will bring emerging professional proficiency, generally acquired through 3-5 years of relevant work or internship experience in finance, accounting, or a related field.

• Knowledge of asset-based lending, private equity, capital markets, merger and acquisition structures, and experience with credit analysis is a plus.
• Familiarity with credit policies, procedures, and terminology.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Experience in originating and executing complex financial transactions is a plus.
• Analytical skills, critical thinking and verbal and written communication skills.Strong organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to work efficiently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

SKILLS FOR SUCCESS:

Successful candidates will demonstrate a higher degree of proficiency (typically from 3-5 years of practical experience or advanced academic exposure) across the following areas:

• Advanced Credit & Financial Structuring: Ability to structure ABL transactions, evaluate collateral quality, and apply knowledge of secured transaction laws and creditor rights.
• Strategic Relationship Management: Skilled in influencing stakeholders, managing client expectations, and fostering long-term partnerships to drive origination and portfolio growth.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to mentor analysts, delegate tasks effectively, and contribute to team development while ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
• Market Insight & Continuous Learning: Proactive in industry research, adaptable to changing conditions, and committed to expanding expertise in legal, tax, and regulatory aspects of ABL.

DOING THE RIGHT THING:

Our employees take pride in doing the right thing for customers and colleagues as well as being accountable for risk by openly exchanging ideas and opinions, elevating concerns, and following policies and procedures that protect all our valuable assets -including you.

ABL Associate

Total Base Pay Range 71,100.00 - 145,900.00 USD Annual

At Fifth Third, we understand the importance of recognizing our employees for the role they play in improving the lives of our customers, communities and each other. Our Total Rewards include comprehensive benefits and differentiated compensation offerings to give each employee the opportunity to be their best every day.

The base salary for this position is reflective of the range of salary levels for all roles within this pay grade across the U.S. Individual salaries within this range will vary based on factors such as role, relevant skillset, relevant experience, education and geographic location. In addition to the base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan, with any such payment based upon company, line of business and/or individual performance.

Our extensive benefits programs are designed to support the individual needs of our employees and their families, encompassing physical, financial, emotional and social well-being.You can learn more about those programs on our 53.com Careers page at: https://www.53.com/content/fifth-third/en/careers/benefits.html or by consulting with your talent acquisition partner.

LOCATION - Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention search firms and staffing agencies: do not submit unsolicited resumes for this posting. Fifth Third does not accept resumes from any agency that does not have an active agreement with Fifth Third. Any unsolicited resumes - no matter how they are submitted - will be considered the property of Fifth Third and Fifth Third will not be responsible for any associated fee.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is proud to have an engaged and inclusive culture and to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.