Credit Risk Officer - Funds

Natixis is seeking a VP or Director level Credit Officer to be part of the Funds Risk & Credit Markets team, which covers regulated funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, and agent lenders (for stock borrowing). The Credit Risk team is considered the second line of defense at Natixis, and accordingly, the focus will be on the assessment of the credit requests and the formulation of a written risk opinion, which may be presented to Credit Committee.

In line with Natixis’ policies and procedures that govern credit processes (including proper use of internal rating models, LGD models and RWA models), the Credit Analyst will identify the potential risk(s) and positive attributes of each deal with the ultimate goal being the support of the business while avoiding undue risk and credit loss. The Credit Analyst also conducts annual reviews, processes amendments and modifications, monitors the Financial Institutions portfolio, and participates in the quarterly watch list meetings, if necessary.

Additional responsibilities will include forward-looking identification of macro factors affecting the portfolio, portfolio monitoring and analysis.

In this role, the Credit Officer will be responsible for providing analysis on funds, mainly hedge funds and private equity funds, and, to a lesser extent, real estate investment trusts ("REITS") and business development companies ("BDC's"); the role will include but will not be limited to:

• Conduct detailed credit risk assessments and prepare written risk opinions and analysis
• Conduct due diligence calls or visits when appropriate; professionally represent the bank with clients
• Articulate a convincing case in support of the risk opinion to senior management and credit committees
• Work with those on the business side including sales desk.
• Able to translate a credit view into enforceable contractual protection. Specifically: negotiate and defend credit terms and triggers in trading and financing legal documentation. Explain what the bank would actually recover on a counter party default, including netting-set scope, collateral held, margining timing and any stay or insolvency overlay; and quantify the exposure cost of terms the 1
  
  LOD wants to concede - margin lockups, higher thresholds, looser NAV triggers, rehypothecation rights - so the tradeoffs are well understood & challenged explicitly, collaboratively
• Stay connected with industry trends and macro issues which may impact the portfolio; be able to recommend changes or action impacting specific clients or groups of clients.
• Maintain a good understanding of the regulatory environment in which our counter parties operate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university/college required in Finance, Accounting, Management, Economics or other business related discipline. Graduate degree preferred, but not essential.
• Minimum 5 years of previous credit experience with specific experience with direct fund analysis – HF, PE, Private Credit, FoF
• Proficiency in MS Office products including extensive knowledge of MS Excel plus preferred Python, SQL for position, margin & exposure analytics; skills with AI also preferred
• Understands the hedge funds and private funds disclosure landscape and covenants covering NAV, leverage, concentration, liquidity & redemption terms. Comfortable interrogating administrator statements, audited financials, DDQs and manager risk reports with the ability to complete fund due diligence requirements with analysis on strategy, risk management, valuation, structure, operations etc. Strong knowledge of fund markets (traded products) and fund financing (NAV financing, subscription financing etc).
• Effective communication (written, oral and listening) and interpersonal skills a must.…