Credit Analyst, Associate Director - Insurance, Financial Institutions - Chicago

At Fitch, we have an open culture where employees are able to exchange ideas and perspectives, throughout the organization, irrespective of their seniority. Your voice will be heard allowing you to have a real impact. We embrace diversity and appreciate authenticity encouraging an environment where employees can be their true selves. Our inclusive and progressive approach helps us to keep a balanced perspective.  Fitch is also committed to supporting its employees by advancing conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion.  Fitch’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have been established by employees who have joined together as a workplace community based on similar backgrounds or life experiences.  Fitch’s ERGs are available to connect employees with others within the organization to offer professional and personal support. 

With our expertise, we are not only creating data and information, but also producing timely insights from every angle to influence decision making in this ever changing and highly competitive market. We have a relentless hunger to innovate and unlock the power of human insights and to drive value for our customers. There has never been a better time to make an impact and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Credit Analyst, Associate Director – Insurance 

Fitch Ratings’ North American Insurance group provides public and private ratings of insurance companies and their debt instruments in United States, Canada, and Bermuda. 

The department employs 18 credit analysts and staff in Chicago and New York, and is part of a global insurance team of approximately 70 staff members across North America, Europe Africa and the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.  

The department covers insurance sectors including Life, Property/Casualty, Reinsurance, Health, Mortgage, Title, Captives, Financial Guaranty, and Insurance-Linked Securitizations. 

Fitch Ratings is looking for an Associate Director to provide credit analysis for our North American Insurance Group analyzing insurance companies with an emphasis on either Property/Casualty or Life Insurance in either Chicago or New York. Job title and duties will be dependent upon relevant experience and tenure you bring to the role.  

As a member of the North American Insurance analytical team, you will be in charge of a varied portfolio of regulated insurance companies, insurance holding companies, and issuances across either the property/casualty or life space, either as lead or secondary analyst role.  The currently envisaged portfolio comprises approximately 10 insurance organization credits as lead analyst and 4 as secondary analyst.  You will monitor and analyze company news flow and financial results to identify events or trends which may lead to rating changes. You will also conduct meetings with rated company’s senior management.     

You will present and discuss recommendations for new ratings or rating changes, holding internal rating committees as well as communicating Fitch’s credit opinions externally. You will also be involved with ad-hoc sector commentaries and topical research. The role will also involve interaction with investors and bankers, as well as rated insurers.  Some, but not an excessive level, of travel will be required (albeit this is currently severely limited due to the pandemic). 

What We Offer: 

• Fitch Ratings offers a range of credit ratings, research, and data services to help investors make informed decisions. 

• The Financial Institutions Group focuses on providing ratings and analysis for banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. 

• Fitch Ratings is a global company with a presence in over 30 countries, offering opportunities to work with diverse teams and clients from around the world. 

We’ll Count on You To: 

• Lead coverage on a portfolio of property/casualty or life insurance companies 

• Interact with management of property/casualty or life insurance companies 

• Prepare and presenting rating committee packages 

• Participate in rating committees 

• Write company research 

• Contribute to insurance industry research 

• Participate in analytical projects utilizing industry financial data sources 

• Back-up coverage on selected insurance companies 

• Maintain files in accordance with company policies 

What You Need to Have: 

• Bachelor’s degree  

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in property/casualty or life insurance analysis or in a strategic planning, financial management or actuarial position within the insurance industry; as previously note, offer will be made at the level appropriate to the type and amount of experience incumbent brings with them.  

• CFA/MBA/CPA or actuarial designations a plus, but not a requirement 

• Self-motivated professional   

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and organizational skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills　 

• Ability to shift fluidly between multiple projects as priorities change 　 

• Ability to excel in a team-oriented environment　 

• Expertise in Excel and Word 

• Strong candidates with less experience may be considered at varying levels 

What Would Make You Stand Out: 

• The role would suit an individual with previous analytical experience looking to develop further in an intellectually challenging, analytically rigorous yet supportive environment. 

• Fitch’s insurance analysts have diverse backgrounds, including career financial/credit analysts, professional services, or financial/operational roles in companies 

Why Fitch? 

At Fitch Group, the combined power of our global perspectives is what differentiates us. Our global network of colleagues comes together to accomplish things greater than they ever could alone.  

Every team member is essential to our business and each perspective is critical to our success. We embrace a diverse culture that encourages a free exchange of ideas, guaranteeing your voice will be heard and your work will have an impact, regardless of seniority. 

We are building incredible things at Fitch and we invite you to join us on our journey.  

Fitch Group is a global leader in financial information services with operations in more than 30 countries. Wholly owned by the Hearst Corporation, we are comprised of three main businesses: Fitch Ratings | Fitch Solutions | Fitch Learning. 

For more information please visit our websites:    

www.fitchratings.com | www.fitchsolutions.com | www.fitchlearning.com 

Fitch is committed to providing global securities markets with objective, timely, independent and forward-looking credit opinions. To protect Fitch’s credibility and reputation, our employees must take every precaution to avoid conflicts of interests or any appearance of a conflict of interest. Should you be successful in the recruitment process at Fitch Ratings you will be asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts prior to commencing employment. If you, or your immediate family, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, you may be asked to divest yourself of them before beginning work. 

Fitch Group 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. 

FOR NEW YORK ROLES ONLY: Expected base pay rates for the role will be between$110,000 and $135,000. Actual salaries will be determined on an individualized basis and may vary based on factors including but not limited to education, training, experience, past performance, and other job-related factors.  Base pay is one part of Fitch’s total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, discretionary bonuses, long-term incentives, and other benefits sponsored by Fitch.  

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