Vice President, Corporate Banking- Portfolio Strategy & Underwriting

BMO • Chicago, IL

1d • $200,000

About The Position

Supports the origination and structuring of corporate lending transactions for Sponsor and Non-Sponsor clients, coordinating with other product teams as part of a broader coverage team. Provides lending expertise across sectors and structures credit facilities for leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, add-on acquisitions, and investment-grade and sub-investment-grade transactions. Supports trading-products business and credit approvals for Trade Finance products, and manages an ongoing lending portfolio.

The role contributes to BMO and BMO Capital Markets’ brand and community presence, maximizes sector penetration and returns, and develops client relationships and cross-selling opportunities. It manages a diverse portfolio of private, public, and middle-market companies, reviews account performance, monitors clients and relevant industry and regulatory developments, and identifies portfolio diversification and service-improvement opportunities.

The position leads and supports transaction execution, including structuring and negotiating deals, preparing credit documentation, conducting due diligence and credit analysis, developing financial models and analyses, and assessing transaction and industry risks. It partners with sector coverage teams, product specialists, clients, sponsors, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver solutions while balancing client needs with the Bank’s risk appetite. It also reviews and guides Analysts’ and Associates’ work and contributes to strategic initiatives, process improvement, profitability, risk management, internal controls, and compliance.

Requirements

• Typically 5–7 years of relevant experience and a post-secondary degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 6 years of relevant experience in investment banking, leveraged finance, corporate banking, sponsor finance, or commercial lending.
• Experience originating, underwriting, structuring, and negotiating complex financial transactions.
• Experience in a corporate lending environment developing client and sponsor relationships.
• Knowledge of organizational lending and portfolio-management policies and objectives.
• Advanced deal execution and/or project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple clients or major initiatives.
• Ability to create and deliver professional presentations.
• Strong analytical skills and expertise in financial computer applications and database-management tools.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through education and business experience.
• In-depth verbal and written communication skills.
• In-depth collaboration and teamwork skills.
• In-depth analytical and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth influence skills.
• In-depth data-driven decision-making skills.

Nice To Haves

• Undergraduate degree focused on finance, economics, or accounting, with high academic achievement.
• MBA, CFA, or equivalent experience in financial services, accounting, or legal fields.
• Experience supporting Sponsor-backed leveraged buyouts, M&A financings, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, and acquisition financings.
• Relevant Business Services Sector experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the origination and structuring of Sponsor and Non-Sponsor corporate lending transactions, coordinating with other products and coverage teams.
• Provide lending expertise across sectors and structure facilities for leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions, dividend recapitalizations, refinancings, add-on acquisitions, and investment-grade and sub-investment-grade transactions.
• Support trading-products business and facilitate credit approvals for Trade Finance products.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of private, public, and middle-market borrowers, including investment-grade and sub-investment-grade companies.
• Monitor client, industry, and regulatory developments that may affect client portfolios and business needs.
• Prepare credit documentation, including applications, memoranda, and presentations, for internal and external stakeholders.
• Review and monitor account performance and client relationships; identify opportunities to diversify client portfolios.
• Develop and maintain client relationships, understand client needs, interpret client strategy, and anticipate needs to recommend relevant solutions.
• Collaborate with sector coverage partners and product specialists to cover clients and prospects and deliver timely solutions.
• Structure and negotiate transactions with clients and maintain ongoing coverage contact with lending clients and sector managers.
• Identify and leverage decision makers and influencers within client and internal organizations.
• Use financial analysis to identify cross-selling opportunities and generate updated financial models and analyses as needed.
• Analyze industry information and produce technical and financial reports and analyses to support client deliverables.
• Conduct due diligence and credit analysis on new and existing relationships, including sponsor-backed leveraged borrowers, private equity ownership structures, acquisition strategies, sponsor track records, transaction assumptions, and industry trends.
• Assess transaction complexity and risks, including credit, market, operational, legal, and compliance risks, and risks related to leverage, acquisition integration, recapitalizations, sponsor exits, and cyclical earnings.
• Balance the Bank’s risk appetite with client needs when making recommendations and proposals.
• Support strategic initiatives and build effective relationships and alignment among internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service, processes, reporting, and profitability.
• Review and guide Analysts’ and Associates’ work to deliver business results.
• Consider risk, internal controls, and compliance in day-to-day work and adhere to policies and procedures.
• Provide specialized consulting, analytical, and technical support; independently diagnose and resolve problems, including non-routine situations.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Accident and life insurance
• Retirement savings plans
• Performance-based incentives and discretionary bonuses may be included in total compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior