Job Description

Commercial Rating and Underwriting (CRU) sits within the Risk and Information Management division and forms the institutional credit risk management function within American Express. The CRU team plays the critical role of assessing and managing the risk of institutional exposures across all business units within American Express, and in all regions globally. Credit exposures are primarily generated through corporate and small business card programs, via merchant service relationships where non-delivery risk exists, and among the securities portfolio held for firm-wide liquidity.

CRU JAPA is led from Singapore covering JAPA (Japan, Asia Pacific and Australia), with direct reporting line into Global Head of CRU in Salt Lake City, USA. In addition to determining the internal credit rating which drives the probability of default of each exposure, CRU also calculates the loss given default of these obligors while underwriting card programs. As a bank holding company, American Express must comply with the highest global banking standards set by Basel and implemented by the bank's primarily regulatory, the Federal Reserve.

Responsibilities

Analyst in CRU are responsible for rating and underwriting credit exposures in their assigned region, industry, and business line. This role will cover the Japan market. Fundamental analysis incorporates a thorough review of business, financial, industry and country risk coupled with support from internal and external rating model outputs. Assessment includes understanding of the need for credit extension, profitability of the relationship and program structures. This position interacts with various constituents across the firm including the Japan front office sales, business unit risk partners, and credit administration to perform their critical role.

Qualifications

• Expertise as a credit risk analyst, dealing with commercial exposures ranging from SME or middle-market to large, multinational institutions in Japan or with Japanese banks based in Singapore. Ability to read Japanese financial statement is a must.
• Experience in determining appropriate credit capacity, structuring of facilities, and risk mitigation techniques
• Thorough understanding of fundamental financial analysis including the ability to review corporate financial statements to determine the ability of the obligor to honor its credit obligations
• Comfort with GAAP/IFRS accounting standards, corporate valuation, and forecasting.
• Knowledge of public agency ratings, and supporting analysis
• Ability to understand current macroeconomic trends in Japan, and making respective sound recommendations to improve the Probability of Default based on the business cycle
• Experience preparing company-specific and industry-wide credit memorandums
• Excellent judgment in making sound rating and underwriting decisions to maximize profitability and mitigate risk
• 2-5 years' experience in rating and / or underwriting at a leading financial institution, preferably with Japanese bank.
• Bachelor's degree from a top tier university and a degree in finance, accounting, economics, or statistics
• Graduate degree with a finance or business emphasis, or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, is a plus

About Us

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you'll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.

About the Team

We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.