Analyst-Risk Management

International Card Services (ICS) brings together our International Consumer and Small & Medium Size Enterprises (SME) issuing activities, as well as our Commercial Large Market sales and account development teams. ICS issues Cards in 27 countries, and is responsible for two Joint Ventures covering around a dozen countries. The leaders in these countries are empowered to make decisions at a local level, in partnership with other local business leaders. Local teams are supported by two cross-market teams – the Centre of Excellence, and Risk & Control Management.

Commercial Rating and Underwriting (CRU) sits within the Credit & Fraud Risk division and forms a key component of 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 card programs, via merchant service relationships where non-delivery risk exists, and among the securities portfolio held for firm-wide liquidity.

In addition to determining the internal credit rating which drives the probability of default of each exposure, CRU also provides underwriting (i.e. approval and limit sizing) for wholesale card and lending products. As a bank holding company, American Express must comply with the highest global banking standards.

Credit Risk Analysts in CRU are responsible for rating and underwriting credit exposures in their assigned region, industry, and business line. The Analysts’ fundamental credit assessment incorporates a thorough review of business, financial, industry and country risk coupled with support from internal and external rating model outputs. Analysts will also need to show an understanding of the need for credit extension, profitability of the relationship, risk mitigation and program structures. 

• Fluency in English mandatory; fluency in the German language would also be strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree/equivalent in Finance or a related subject.

• Experience in fundamental credit analysis and / or underwriting of commercial enterprises preferred (1-2 years)

• Understanding of financial analysis including the ability to review corporate financial statements to determine key risk drivers, an appropriate probability of default and the ability of the obligor to honor its credit obligations to American Express.

• Comfortable determining appropriate credit capacity, structuring of facilities, and risk mitigation techniques.

• Ability to prepare accurate company-specific and industry-wide credit risk memorandums.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Depending on factors such as business unit requirements, the nature of the position, cost and applicable laws, American Express may provide visa sponsorship for certain positions.