Credit Analyst III

First Interstate Properties, Ltd.; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO + holidays

Student debt repayment program

401(k) match

Job summary

First Interstate Properties, Ltd. is seeking a Credit Analyst III in Kalispell, MT area to independently evaluate and underwrite complex commercial credits including CRE, C&I, and municipal exposures.

You will review financial statements, projections, and reports to assess creditworthiness and compliance with bank policies. In collaboration with relationship managers, you will prepare spreads, determine risk ratings, propose structures, and mentor junior analysts while ensuring regulatory

Qualifications

• Strong organization and time management required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to mentor junior analysts and collaborate with Relationship Managers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for reporting and analysis.
• Experience with credit risk assessment and underwriting required.

Responsibilities

• Reads and analyzes financial statements and related documents to assess credit risk.
• Prepares financial spreads for diverse commercial/real estate borrowers and guarantors.
• Independently analyzes creditworthiness and recommends risk ratings and structures.
• Produces comprehensive analysis reports combining data visuals and narrative.
• Mentors Credit Analysts I and II and supports portfolio monitoring and training.

Skills

Organization

Written & verbal

Analytical skills

Mentoring

MS Office

Credit risk

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business/Finance

Tools

Credit spread software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This position may be located in Kalispell, MT; Great Falls, MT; Helena, MT; Missoula, MT; or Whitefish, MT.

What’s Important To You

We know your career is just one aspect of a meaningful, complex, and demanding life. That is why we designed our compensation and benefits package to provide employees and their families with as much choice as possible.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) in addition to paid federal holidays.
• Student debt employer repayment program.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% match.
• The health and happiness of the places we call home matter to us. Learn a little more about what we do for the communities we serve and why we want YOU to be a part of it.

Summary

The Credit Analyst III is responsible for independently evaluating and underwriting complex commercial credits including Commercial Real Estate (CRE), Commercial and Industrial (C&I), Hospitality, Municipalities and a variety of other commercial credit types. This role involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting personal and business financial statements, projections, and internal/external reports to assess creditworthiness, repayment capacity, and compliance with bank policies and federal regulations. Working in an independent capacity, this position partners closely with Commercial Relationship Managers to support new and existing loan relationships, emphasizing credit quality, risk mitigation, and portfolio performance. The Credit Analyst III exercises discretion and independent judgement with respect to evaluating credit risk, determining appropriate risk ratings, recommending credit structures, identifying policy exceptions, and advising management on credit-related business decisions. The role will also assist with the training, mentoring, and work review of Credit Analysts I and II.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Reads, reviews, and understands various financial statements to include but not limited to; tax returns, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, agings, borrowing base certificates, debt schedules, equipment lists, credit bureau reports, rent rolls, lease agreements, and appraisals.
• Prepares financial spreads for various types of commercial and real estate businesses, municipalities, non-profit, and individuals acting as direct obligation borrowers or guarantors.
• Independently analyzes credit worthiness of commercial applicants and guarantors as appropriate by reviewing the loan application, spreading historical and projection-based financial statements, calculating cash flows, leverage, and liquidity ratios, evaluating collateral, conducting research on the borrower(s) and key industries, and identifying risks.
• Analyzes findings and authors a comprehensive report of analysis using a mix of data analysis (charts, formulas, graphs, etc.) and written narrative.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgement in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating credit risk.
• Determines appropriate risk ratings and develops recommendations regarding credit approval, modification, renewal, or denial.
• Possesses proficiency relative to credit transactions and analytical skills sufficient to enable independent underwriting and evaluation of commercial requests for streamlined to complex requests with limited guidance from immediate manager.
• Performs special projects related to credit administration, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensures compliance to applicable regulations and keeps up to date with changes in federal regulations and FIB credit policy requirements.
• Serves as an Anchor Analyst in the bank’s mentorship program, mentoring and developing junior analysts, sharing specialized credit expertise, and influencing underwriting quality and consistency throughout the organization.
• Assists the Relationship Manager in the preparation of reports for quarterly monitoring of classified and criticized commercial relationships.
• Completes financial performance metric covenant testing utilizing prepared financial spreads.
• Portfolio management as assigned.
• Participates in a quality control program that provides for the monthly review of general forms, spreads, and analysis with the provision of feedback and mentoring.
• Participates in the production and development of training materials and assists with the delivery of training through various channels.
• Partakes in a mentorship program with lower-level analysts to assist in guidance and the overall development of credit acumen.
• Acts as a resource for Relationship Managers and other analysts for questions relating to Loan Policy, loan structuring, and underwriting recommendations.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Able to develop and maintain internal and external relationships with individuals such as Relationship Managers, Credit Officers, and Risk Management Personnel.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and establish and meet strict deadlines with the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Self-motivated and possess the ability to assist with credit risk decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as an attention to detail.
• Able to prioritize and work with others in an integrated way to achieve individual objectives and team results with flexibility to adapt to changing volumes, requirements, and areas of focus.
• Possesses proficiency relative to credit transactions and analytical skills sufficient to enable underwriting of commercial requests for streamlined to complex requests, with limited guidance from immediate manager.Ability to make independent assessments and provide support for credit actions based on analysis and interpretation of Credit Policy.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Able to acclimate quickly to other programs.

Education And/Or Experience

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) required
• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, or related field preferred
• 7-9 years of banking experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience required and
• Experience with financial spread software required and
• Commercial banking experience preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

• Dexterity of hands/fingers to operate computer keyboard and mouse - Frequently
• Sitting - Frequently
• Standing - Occasionally
• Noise Level - Moderate
• Typical Work Hours - M-F (8-5)
• Regular and Predictable Attendance Required