Credit Risk Reviewer Specialist

In a changing world, unprecedented challenges require unmatched talent. Join one of Montreal's Top Employers in 2024. We are a dynamic and growing organization having its main establishment located in downtown Montreal and part of a leading international banking institution fully committed to building a more sustainable future. Note that the position may be in the Canadian Branch of BNP Paribas or in one of its subsidiaries based in Montreal.

**The position at a glance**

The primary role of the vice president in Credit Risk Review is to perform (and lead) risk-based reviews of the bank’s credit portfolio to timely and accurately identify credit weaknesses, which then informs management of how to best risk manage the credit portfolio.

Purpose of Credit Risk Review:
The purpose of Credit Risk Review is to provide the relevant governing bodies, including the Board Risk Committee/US Risk Committee, and senior management with an independent assessment of BNP Paribas credit risk management processes to ensure that credit risk exposures and loan impairments are approved, managed, rated, and evaluated consistent with internal credit risk policies and regulatory guidance. This includes validation and, if necessary, adjustment of credit risk ratings; review of compliance with internal rating models and credit policies; assessment of workout plans for the reasonableness of assumptions; and determination of the reasonableness of assumptions regarding loss estimation for credits with significant weaknesses. Due to its independence, risk-rating decisions made by the credit risk review prevail over the business and RISK.

**In detail**

Specific responsibilities include:

- Acquiring a solid understanding of the reviewed activities.
- Assessing adequacy and effectiveness of governance and management of credit risk.
- Perform in-depth time bound reviews of credit portfolios to assess credit quality and validate the accuracy of the assigned counterparty risk ratings and loss given default rates and recommending changes, as necessary.
- Individual credit reviews require thorough but succinct written credit analysis demonstrating an understanding of the following:
? Obligor’s business and structure.

? Nature of facilities extended by the bank (ranging from plain-vanilla corporate loans to highly complex loan and derivative products) and exposure thereunder.

? The bank’s position in the capital structure.

? Expected source of repayment.

? Collateral.

? Legal documentation.

? Obligor’s financial condition (profitability, balance sheet strength, cash flow and liquidity profile).
- Ratings validations require:
? Thorough understanding of relevant rating methodologies (including U.S. regulatory ratings).

? Re-performance of ratings assessment.
- Assessing the quality of credit analysis performed by the business groups and the RISK Department and the quality of the underwriting.
- Evaluating compliance with regulatory guidelines and bank policies.
- Evaluating complex financing transaction structures and capital markets products and the associated risks and mitigants.
- Ensuring that work is documented and communicated to stakeholders within an organized and prescribed framework.
- Adding value to the area under review by raising relevant recommendations.
- Writing quality recommendations (and sections of reports) in plain English.
- Delivering clear presentations to Senior Management and management of Credit Risk Review.
- Identifying actual and potential problem exposures.
- Evaluating the appropriateness of the level of provisions for impaired credits. Assessment of provisions requires a thorough understanding of IFRS principles and involves challenging assumptions and re-performing discounted cash flow analysis if warranted.
- Liaising, as required, with the appropriate regulatory examiners.
- Developing and maintaining relationships within the bank.
- Checking proper implementation of recommendations.
- Keeping abreast of the evolution of standards and regulations through training, publications, and seminars.
- Adopting and promoting strong ethical values (including abiding by and being a champion of the code of conduct and BNP Paribas’ commitment to diversity and inclusion).

Work conditions: This position provides for standard working conditions in an office and a normal work schedule from Monday to Friday. This position requires little travel.

**The strengths and skills that will help you succeed**
- MBA and/or relevant Professional certification (e.g.: CFA) a plus.
- Minimum 7 years’ experience, including 5 years in the field of credit and counterparty risk, ideally in a risk management, credit risk review, or a portfolio management role. Experience in analyzing financial institutions and/or corporates.
- Strong credit analysis skills with a solid understanding of the credit process. Must be knowledgeable of and conversant with portfolio risk measurement and risk mitigation concepts and techniques. This includes