Analyst, Credit Research at Standard Bank Group

Job Description

Publish market-leading research, providing corporate insight and driving market-wide debate and discussion on the South African corporate bond markets. Engage with and influence customers, the local and international investment community and market participants to build Standard Bank's reputation as market-leading commentator on, and participant in, markets where South African companies issue corporate bonds.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with and support the Head, Credit Research, South Africa, to obtain a top ranking from institutional investors that contributes towards the top ranking of the Research House in awards (e.g. The Spires and The Financial Mail Ranking the Analysts awards).
• Provide insightful analysis and advice to internal market participants to better enable them to perform their functions and achieve their targets (i.e. Credit Sales and Trading, Bond origination, Group fund raising, Treasury management, Capital Management and Asset and Liability Management).
• Maintain independence and highest levels of integrity and be proactive in approach to all aspects of research and analysis of Credit and Bond markets, thus building Standard Bank’s reputation as a market-leading commentator on, and participant in, the local listed corporate bond market, thus delivering to our shareholders.
• Engage and build strong relationships with key stakeholders (CEOs, CFOs and Treasury Directors of corporate bond issuers, Rating Agencies' MD's and Senior Analysts, and key figures at local regulatory and government institutions i.e. National Treasury, the South African Reserve Bank and the Financial Stability Board), to gather information and provide insightful analysis and advice, accurate data, and feedback on the impact of proposed rating methodology and regulatory changes in the markets.
• Build strong relationships with, and provide insightful analysis and advice to, the heads of internal units participating in the bond market to better enable them to perform their functions and achieve their targets (i.e. Credit Sales and Trading, Bond Origination, Group Fund Raising, Treasury Management, Capital Management and Asset and Liability Management)
• Engage and liaise with external stakeholders (such as issuers, rating agencies and regulators), providing insightful analysis and advice, accurate data, and feedback on the impact of proposed rating methodology and regulatory changes on the market.
• Participate in roadshows to present research to institutional clients to assist and influence their investment decisions, improve their understanding of current market dynamics and challenge the way they think about the listed corporate bond market.
• Liaise, collaborate and engage with the investment community and market participants to build Standard Bank’s reputation as market-leading commentator on, and participant in, the local listed corporate bond market.
• Develop and strengthen Standard Bank’s relationship with its clients and fellow market participants, enhancing profits from all related activities (e.g. Credit Trading and Sales, Debt origination etc.).
• Participate in relationship development between all relevant Standard Bank units and external clients/market participants (investors, corporate bonds issuers, rating agencies, regulators etc.).
• Serve customers by responding to queries, providing bespoke insight and analysis and confirming that relationships with other departments of the bank are meeting the customers’ needs.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Qualification: 

• Chartered Accountant (CA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) 

Experience Required

• 3 - 5 years
• Experience in a financial, investment banking or asset management environment, including experience in the analysis of corporate results. Experience in the analysis of debt capital market dynamics and bond pricing would be advantageous. 

Additional Information

Behavioral Competencies:

• Developing Strategies
• Challenging Ideas
• Embracing Change
• Establishing Rapport
• Upholding Standards
• Seizing Opportunities
• Examining Information
• Exploring Possibilities
• Generating Ideas
• Taking Action
• Articulating Information
• Interpreting Data

Technical Competencies:

• Data Analysis
• Data Management (Administration)
• Economic Research
• Quantitative Analysis
• Research & Information Gathering
• Statistical & Mathematical Analysis