IG Credit Research Analyst – Financial Institutions (Banks), Vice President

Job Description

About this role

Business Unit Overview:

The Fixed Income team offers an array of fixed income products designed to meet specific client risk and return profiles. Incorporating the expertise of BlackRock's sector specialists, each client portfolio is tailored to reflect specific investment guidelines and objectives with respect to interest rate exposure, sector allocation and credit quality.

Job Purpose/Background:

BlackRock’s European Investment Grade Credit Research Team is looking to hire a credit analyst based in London covering the Financial Institutions (Banks and Asset Managers) sector. The role will involve preparation of independent fundamental credit analysis and opinion using a variety of sources, including financial statements, regulatory policy documents, industry publications, economic statistical data, research conferences and regular meetings with company management. The role also necessitates regular interaction with other sector analysts and investment professionals both inside and outside BlackRock. As a member of the investment grade credit research team, the successful candidate will be predominantly looking at investment grade issuers but will also be required to habitually undertake research on high yield issuers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for a portfolio of approximately 35 European banks and asset managers as a primary analyst with minimal supervision
• Lead regular issuer meetings as the primary contact handling the analytical relationship
• Conduct fundamental credit research, analyzing and explaining economic, competitive, and sectoral drivers that impact banks’ creditworthiness
• Provide forward-looking fundamental credit views and investment recommendations (including relative value opinions across the capital structure) to the investment team within strict deadlines
• Build and maintain Excel-based forecast models to track actual and expected performance, against baseline expectations and key trigger points for potential rating actions
• Maintain sector database on key financial metrics and new bond issuance
• Act as in-house sector expert and fundamental “thought leader”, presenting sector views both internally and at client meetings
• Collaborate with senior financial analysts on research projects
• Participate in a variety of daily, weekly and monthly investment team meetings
• Provide ad-hoc briefings and research to portfolio managers

Knowledge/Experience: ​

• Previous analyst experience (5+ years) in a top-tier research environment or relevant bank industry experience (ideally, gained in a credit rating agency, buy-side and/or sell-side role)
• Good knowledge of European banks, capital structure and regulatory environment
• Significant experience in interacting at board level (CEO, CFO and other senior management) of large international companies.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong interest in the career credit research analyst path and fixed income investing
• Willing and capable of confidently underwrite investment risks in dynamic situations with imperfect information contexts
• Self-driven desire for expertise, thirst for sector knowledge and keen attention to detail
• Intellectual curiosity for new products or businesses to analyze, and strong commercial acumen
• Willingness to work in a strong team-oriented environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to distill complex and comprehensive analyses into succinct summaries
• Advanced financial analysis and modelling skills
• Well organized and detail orientated with the ability to maintain accuracy whilst complying with deadlines
• Must be fluent in English, fluency in a second language is a plus
• Proficient with Excel/Word/PowerPoint

Our benefits
To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of benefits including a strong retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, comprehensive healthcare, support for working parents and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being. Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit careers.blackrock.com | www.blackrock.com/corporate | Instagram: @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, and other statuses protected by law.