Associate, Project Finance - Commercial Banking

at  BMO Financial Group

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Typically, between 3 – 5 years of relevant banking or financing experience.
• Experience in project finance would be an asset.
• Undergraduate degree in business / finance / accounting / economics / CFA with outstanding academic achievement.
• Strong financial modelling skills.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and business experience.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.
• Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills - In-depth.
• Influence skills - In-depth.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth.

The Associate in the North American Commercial Banking Project Finance team will support the origination, structuring, and portfolio management of mid-market project finance transactions in power and renewables, social and economic infrastructure, P3s, digital infrastructure, decarbonisation and energy transition sectors across Canada and the US. The team will be working closely with BMO Capital Markets’ Project and Energy Transition Finance team. The position requires an individual who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and has a proven track record of coordinating internal and external teams to meet transaction deadlines. The individual will ultimately be responsible for supporting senior professionals in business development and day-to-day execution of these transactions as well as ongoing management of the loan portfolio. The ability to work independently with minimal guidance under time constraints will be a key differentiator of success.

Facilitates decisioning and analysis of all types of credit information to support lending decisions and processes for the bank. Maintains and promotes a client service environment to satisfy and exceed customer needs and expectations. This role will make credit decisions and recommendations in accordance with sound credit-granting principles and in compliance with Bank Policies & Procedures.

• Supports the various aspects of project financing from business development, structuring, due diligence, execution, closing and portfolio management.
• Analyses project risks and support pricing decisions based on return models.
• Supports the due diligence process comprising financial, technical, environmental, legal, insurance and commercial streams.
• Assist in preparing credit documentation, applications, memoranda for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with credit and operations teams from origination through close and funding.
• Establishes cross-selling initiatives to increase penetration with client.
• Applies deep expertise in bank products, processes and systems and effectively trouble shooting to ensure a high-quality client experience.
• Coordinates closing with closing department, clients and legal counsels.
• Serves as a daily escalation resource to ensure client expectations are met or exceeded.
• Acts as a trusted advisor to assigned business/group.
• Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives.
• Recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for the business.
• Conducts independent analysis and assessment to resolve strategic issues.
• Helps determine business priorities and best sequence for execution of business/group strategy.
• Acts as the prime subject matter expert for internal/external stakeholders.
• Participates in the development of financial models and other analytical tools to assist clients in evaluating capital structure.
• Designs and produces regular and ad-hoc reports, and dashboards.
• Maintains current project financing trends in power, renewables, social, economic and digital infrastructure sectors, and communicate same to team members.
• Leads or participates in defining the communication plan designed to positively influence or change behaviour; develops tailored messaging; and identifies appropriate distribution channels.
• Oversees preparation of concise, well reasoned credit correspondence.
• Coordinates the preparation of lending proposals and pitches to prospective clients with efforts to maximize penetration and returns.
• Negotiates transactions with clients and provides deal structuring expertise.
• Oversees documentation and ongoing monitoring of asset and client performance.
• May manage workflow of other analysts by aligning tasks with departmental goals and objectives.
• Provides accurate financial analysis and risk assessment of new and existing customers.
• Partners with internal stakeholders for accurate, detailed client information.
• Develops credit information to make lending decisions on new, renewal and extension loans.
• Assists in negotiations of terms and conditions of all decisions made via phone and e-mail interaction with clients.
• Prepares summary, present facts and offer opinions concerning credit worthiness.
• Minimizes BMO’s risk exposure by adhering to internal credit policies and procedures with respect to lending decisions.
• Provides input into the planning and implementation of operational programs.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Focus is primarily on business/group within BMO; may have broader, enterprise-wide focus.
• Provides specialized consulting, analytical and technical support.
• Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules.
• Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.