Writing an effective credit memorandum

Description:

After a detailed credit analysis of a loan request has been performed, it is now time to communicate your findings in writing. Credit memoranda are a primary means of communications within the banking industry. In writing effective credit memoranda, it is not what you say that commands attention, but how you say it. Credit memoranda serve three functions: 1) they provide information on the condition and status of a customer relationship; 2) they provide a record of thoughts and actions and 3) they support or recommend action. The purpose of this course is to teach skills required to write an effective credit memorandum, which places emphasis upon factors or trends that are important without the need to state the obvious. In short, the credit memo should present relevant, material facts and the writers’ thoughts and opinions. Remember, anything you write in a credit memorandum will become public record if you find yourself in court with a borrower.Specifically, the course will cover the following topics:•    Balance Sheet Analysis•    Income Statement Analysis•    Cash Flow Analysis•    Calculating and interpreting financial ratios and cash flow•    Using analysis to determine the Financial Impact of changes in financial factors•    Questions to raise with the customer after the credit analysis is completed•    Outline of relevant factors to include in a credit memorandum•    How to report your finding efficiently and effectively in the credit memorandum•    Apply the concepts to a study caseThe course will also explore the underwriting and reporting on Commercial Real Estate, Construction Loans, Acquisition and Development Loans and Multi-Family Unit loans. In doing so, several samples of proven credit memos will be examined to insure bankers are covering the areas required by the banking regulators.OBJECTIVES:At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:1.    Strengthen their understanding of  credit analysis2.    Clearly describe the Financial Impact of changes in financial factors and not just report on what changed3.    Interpret financial trends and financial ratios4.    Write succinct and focused credit memoranda5.    Meet with management armed with relevant questions and issues to be addressed6.    Feel more confident in defending a recommended course of action based upon relevant facts and not instinctWHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE?•    Commercial Loan Officers•    Consumer Loan Officers•    Credit Analysts•    Loan Review Personnel•    Compliance Officers•    Internal Auditors•    Branch Managers.

Instructor Profile:

Jeffery Johnson’s banking career expands 36 years working for large, regional and community banks. He started his career with SunTrust National Bank in Atlanta as a Management Trainee and progressed to Vice President and Senior Lender for SouthTrust Bank (a large Southeastern Regional Bank) and Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Division Manager for Citizens Trust Bank of Atlanta (Community Bank).

Most of his career has been spent in Credit Administration, Lending (Commercial, Consumer and Real Estate), Business Development, Loan Review, Management and Training & Development. He has managed loan portfolios representing a cross section of loan types including: Large Corporate, High Net Worth Individuals, Middle Market Companies, Small Businesses, Real Estate and Non-Profit Organizations and managed several loan officers with portfolio management responsibilities.

Mr. Johnson is now a training professional in the banking industry by leading various seminars covering important topics relating to issues in banking. He teaches actively for twenty-two state banking associations and community banking associations in the United States, Risk Management Association (RMA) and individual banks nationwide. He co-authored a training course entitled “Lending to Service and Other Professional Organizations” for RMA in 2001.

He led a week long Consumer Lending school for UNI Strategic in Singapore where bankers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore were in attendance and is scheduled to present the same program in Kuala, Lumpur in November 2012. He was also invited to lead a week long Advanced Commercial Lending & Commercial Loan Documentation in Dubai (United Arabs Emirates) hosted by IIR Middle East, a firm specializing in international conferences and seminars.