Credit Officer/ North America Project Finance

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group headquartered in Tokyo with a 400-year history, offering a diverse range of financial services including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group operates over 130 offices with 80,000 employees worldwide across nearly 40 countries. In the Americas, SMBC Group provides commercial and investment banking services to corporate, institutional, and municipal clients, connecting them to local markets and an extensive global network.

About the role

SMBC is seeking a Credit Officer with strong credit and quantitative skills to analyze the credit risk and various elements of project finance transactions in North America. Coverage includes renewable and conventional power, oil and gas, natural resources, data centers, and other infrastructure. As part of SMBC’s second line of defense (2LoD), the Credit Officer will review credit applications submitted by the front office (1LoD) and prepare executive summaries for the Credit Department management.

Responsibilities

• Analyze various risk elements of project finance transactions in North America and present written executive summaries to the Credit Department management.
• Oversee the maintenance of credit quality and provide feedback to business units to ensure consistent and complete credit applications.
• Provide guidance to business units to ensure compliance with internal standards and offer feedback on deal structures to mitigate identified risks.
• Closely review transaction grading models to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Monitor and supervise problem loans, including Warning/Special Mention Obligors, and present written memoranda/reports to management.
• Manage compliance with internal policies, workflow procedures, and regulations.
• Utilize deep understanding of US Regulatory Classification guidelines to review and approve proposed risk ratings.
• Handle other credit-related works and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant work experience, preferably in the credit department of a major project finance bank.
• In-depth knowledge of project finance, corporate finance, and accounting.
• Critical thinking and ability to analyze vast and complex information to quickly render credit decisions.
• Experience facing regulators at SNC, TLR, or similar exams, and knowledge of regulatory ratings is a plus.
• Risk sensitivity and ability to steer decisions through discussions with business units.
• Superior attention to detail and ability to identify key risk factors in highly structured transactions.
• Proficiency in visually presenting complex concepts using graphs, tables, and flowcharts.
• Flexibility to work under tight deadlines and in a multitasking environment.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $178,000.00 and $231,000.00. The specific salary offered will be based on individual qualifications, experience, and an analysis of current compensation in the applicant’s geography and market for similar roles. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award.

Benefits

In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Schedule

SMBC’s employees participate in a hybrid workforce model, allowing work from home and the office. Employees must live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, such as FINRA-registered positions requiring full-time in-office attendance.