Associate – Financial Institutions recruitment

Standard Poor's, a part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings. With offices in 23 countries, Standard Poor's is an important part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for 150 years in providing investors with information and independent benchmarks for their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com.
Associate, Financial Institutions Ratings

We are presently seeking an Associate in our New York office. The Associate will be responsible for analyzing and assigning credit and counter party ratings to financial institutions including banks, asset managers, broker dealers, finance companies and GSEs. In addition, the Associate is responsible for conducting timely surveillance and publishing insightful, articulate and timely reports for a portfolio of credits. The candidate must be able to work collaboratively and contribute positively in a team oriented environment, and demonstrate keen writing and speaking skills. The incumbent will be a member of the Financial Services ratings analytical team.

The candidate should possess strong analytical skill sets (financial analysis background, accounting knowledge, risk management expertise) and be able to apply that knowledge, experience and skills to analyze the financial risk and business risk profiles, management and strategy risks, and competitive positions of financial institutions. The ratings process involves both business and financial analysis; the identification of industry risk factors, managing discussions with issuers' management, performing financial forecasts and sensitivity analysis and maintaining surveillance of rated issues. In addition, analysts are required to develop industry knowledge, respond to queries from investors, the media and issuers. In addition, a successful candidate will be able to identify important market trends and impending risks.

An essential component of the job is the ability to effectively communicate both in written and oral forms. Sound writing skills, poise and the ability to present clear and focused rationales for analytical positions in rating committee presentations, to investors, senior management at issuers and in published reports to support one's analytical opinions and positions are essential to succeeding in the associate director role.

Influencing skills are very important. Success in this position will require that the incumbent be able to build a solid reputation for analytical excellence and integrity to colleagues, and to internal and external users of our credit analysis and published reports. A successful person in this role will be able to demonstrate sound analytic judgments and insights relative to their credits, the specific industry/ sectors and risks and regulatory environment that can impact the financial credits and markets.

The role is mainly U.S./North America focused in terms of credit coverage and markets, however, the position requires some knowledge of and participation in ratings analysis for credits outside North America including but not limited to Europe, Asia, and Offshore.

Skills

• 1 to 3 years direct experience in the Financial Markets, with specific focus in financial institutions market preferred.
• Strong Financial Analysis, Accounting, and/or Fixed Income/Equity Markets knowledge are essential skills.
• Exceptional writing skills are required. Experience publishing research reports is a plus.
• Knowledge of U.S. and global capital markets, financial trends and ability to anticipate risks that impact the financial and business risks of banking markets and credits.
• Direct Experience or knowledge of banks, brokers, asset managers, finance companies and GSEs a plus.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including listening skills, persuasive ability and relationship management. Ability to interact with colleagues and senior management, and market participants also important.
• BA/BS required. Advanced degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Mathematics and/or CFA, CPA, FRM preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented group
• Proven ability to set and achieve objectives in a timely fashion.