Banker, commercial/corporate lending

Commercial banking normally refers to a bank or a division of a bank that deals mostly with deposits and loans from corporations or large businesses. Retail banks in contrast deal mainly with individual members of the public.

Commercial banks, also known as corporate banks, provide a wide range of financial services. These include lending, clearing, investing deposits and organising specialist products for clients with high turnovers, such as financial institutions, major companies and Irish commercial state companies.

Commercial bankers involved in corporate lending essentially manage a portfolio of commercial client accounts with an emphasis on managing risk and maximising the value of the existing portfolio.

Work Activities

• Managing an assigned loan portfolio and associated client relationships in accordance with the bank’s credit policy.
• Identifying accounts experiencing difficulties with proactive arrears management of assigned portfolio.
• Formulating repayment strategies/loan restructures/work-out arrangements in conjunction with clients for problem cases, and following through to ensure successful implementation of the same.
• Preparing credit reports for presentation to credit committee and board.
• Contributing to general operational decisions, including target setting, staff planning and general policy development.

Work conditions

Travel: out of office meetings are common though absence from home at night is only occasional. Overseas travel is possible if working in an international bank.
Working hours: mainly 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday, with occasional extra hours required though not normally at weekends.
Location: opportunities exist mainly in cities.
Opportunities for self-employment: unlikely.

Typical employers

Commercial banks and the commercial branches of retail banks.

Career development

There are good opportunities for motivated graduate trainees to progress rapidly to senior management positions.

Salaries

p>Republic of Ireland: Corporate lenders can expect to earn between €42,000 and €55,000; senior corporate lenders can expect to earn between €55,000 and €70,000; and senior lending managers can expect to earn between €80,000 and €100,000.

Northern Ireland: Corporate lenders can expect to earn between £28,000 and £35,000; senior corporate lender can expect to earn between £35,000 and £70,000; and senior lending managers can expect to earn between £45,000 and £60,000.

For more information see the Brightwater 2011 Salary Survey .

Specific degree subjects required

Open to graduates of any discipline.

Other relevant degree subjects

• Accounting
• Business studies
• Commerce
• Economics
• Finance
• Law
• Mathematics.

Postgraduate study

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement.

Tips for applications

Apply for an undergraduate summer internship in a finance related organisation.

Skills and qualities

• Excellent numeracy skills combined with an inquiring, analytical mind.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent teamwork and leadership skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work logically, consistently and accurately.