How Do I Become a Commercial Banking Analyst?

Commercial banking analysts are professionals who work for financial institutions, often to perform research and draw conclusions that help banks to make decisions regarding lines of credit they extend to business clients. To become a commercial banking analyst, it almost always is essential to earn an undergraduate degree in a field such as business or finance. In most cases, a graduate degree in a related field is not necessary for a person who wants to become a commercial banking analyst, though this credential can be helpful, especially for those who are interested in working with top priority clients for large banks with international interests. The amount of experience you need to land this kind of position depends largely on the level of responsibility associated with an individual commercial banking analyst position.

In most cases, commercial banking analysts act as assistants to professionals such as primary relationship officers, who develop relationships with clients. When a client is interested in receiving a line of credit or taking out a loan, he or she might speak with a high level officer, who in turn collects necessary information. A commercial banking analyst then might research factors such as credit and market risk and past loan history to determine if extending credit or a loan to a client is a good idea.

A person who wants to become a commercial banking analyst can benefit most from earning a degree in a field such as business or finance, though this might not be necessary. Individuals with backgrounds in fields such as mathematics or computer engineering, for example, might also find analyst positions. It is important that you learn to use complex computer programs, particularly those used in the financial sector, as well as gain a strong understanding of statistics and probability since these mathematical principles commonly are used in risk management calculations.

Different employers might assign different levels of responsibility to commercial banking analyst roles. To become a commercial banking analyst, it is important to consider the levels of responsibility you are qualified to take. An analyst in a large multinational bank, for example, might be required to lead teams of junior or assistant analysts who work with large sets of data and a number of different risk factors. A person who would like to become a commercial banking analyst in a smaller local bank or credit union, on the other hand, might need only to be prepared to work with smaller sets of data, smaller transaction volumes, and less complex markets.