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Associate, Corporate Banking

BMO · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you handle the hours and the deal-driven unpredictability of a corporate banking desk?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic expectations about long, unpredictable hours on a deal desk, since mismatched expectations often lead to early burnout.

What would you do

What would make you argue against a deal the team wants to win?

What they are checking: Whether they will stand up against a weak deal even when the team wants it, since protecting the bank's capital is part of the job.

A sponsor asks for an amendment that weakens your protections. How do you think about it?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh sponsor amendment requests against the protections being given up, rather than agreeing automatically to keep the relationship smooth.

The posting gives an address on West 42nd Street with an application deadline of October 29, while the listing files under Chicago. Which office would this actually be, and what would you want to know about the team before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they notice and clarify the conflicting location details, and ask sensible questions about the team before committing to the role.

About the work

This role sits on a deal team underwriting and managing large corporate and sponsor-owned syndicated credit. Walk me through an underwriting you worked on.

What they are checking: Whether they have worked on real syndicated credit underwriting, since this deal team expects associates to contribute meaningfully from early on.

What is different about underwriting a leveraged credit compared with an investment grade one?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how leveraged credit differs from investment grade, including higher debt loads, tighter structures and greater reliance on cash flow.

Walk me through building a model for a leveraged borrower. What do you stress?

What they are checking: Whether they can build a model and stress the assumptions that matter most, such as revenue declines, margin pressure and rising interest costs.

You'd support the deal team by analyzing financial and other information. What do you look at beyond the financials?

What they are checking: Whether they look beyond financial statements to management, industry, sponsor behavior and legal terms, since many credit risks hide outside the numbers.

You'd work on credit approval as well as underwriting. How do you write a credit approval memo that gets a fair hearing?

What they are checking: Whether they write credit memos that present risks honestly and clearly, so approvers can make a fair decision rather than feel sold to.

You'd handle portfolio management after close. What do you watch on a leveraged credit between reporting dates?

What they are checking: Whether they actively monitor leveraged credits between reporting dates, watching news, sponsor actions and covenant trends that can signal trouble early.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at BMO from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/29/2026 Address: 151 W 42nd Street Job Family Group: Capital Mrkts Sales & Service BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service financial services provider. We offer corporate and investment banking, treasury management, as well as research and advisory services to clients around the world. #bmocapitalmarkets Line of Business Overview The US Diversified Corporate & Leveraged Banking group within the Corporate Bank underwrites and manages the firm’s large corporate (public, private, and sponsor owned) syndicated loan portfolio across Industrials, Food Consumer & Retail, Technology and Healthcare sectors. The team supports both our product and coverage partners by allocating capital to revolver, term loans, and ancillary business products. The team is responsible for all aspects of underwriting and manages the credit and Corporate Banking coverage (i.e. relationship management) post deal closing. Job description The Associate will serve as a key member of the deal team in the underwriting, credit approval, and portfolio management; supporting the deal team by analyzing financial and operating data for trends in financial performance of companies and industries. The Associate will be involved in the initial screening of transactions, due diligence, credit approval, and negotiation of legal documentation. The Associate will help assess BMO’s hold appetite across revolvers and term loans. Experienced Associates will participate in client pitches to help support cross-selling opportunities for cash management, hedging and other traditional corporate banking products. Primary Function and Responsibilities New Underwritings • Use independent critical thinking skills to analyze historical financial performance, create Base/Stress case financial projection models, develop risks and mitigants, business strengths, and credit rationale for completing a transaction • Work across groups to compile diligence lists and lead diligence calls with company management teams and other lenders • Complete risk / return models for new deals and extension of existing commitments • Collaborate with colleagues on different teams (Leveraged Finance, Investment Banking Industry Coverage, Ancillary Product groups) in the preparation of materials and diligence needed to evaluate credit hold risk and underwriting risk at Credit Committee • Address questions from the Investment Committee and Credit team to support new transactions Portfolio Management • Review and monitor Borrowers’ financial statements for potential changes which may affect the Borrower’s performance through detailed review of quarterly financial statements, participation in quarterly lender calls, and ongoing dialogue with management teams • Prepare concise credit analysis and other correspondence on a quarterly basis for certain Borrowers, and on an annual basis for all Borrowers • Assess Borrowers’ internal risk rating on a regular basis based on their financial performance and changes to the qualitative aspects of the business • Evaluate opportunities for new business (ancillary products such as FX and interest rate hedging and cash management) with existing Borrowers • Conduct analysis and comprehensive review of industry trends and comparable transactions in the industry Relationship Management • Assist in the preparation of pitch materials for client meetings and cross-sell of corporate banking products • Experienced Associates will participate in client pitches to help support cross-selling opportunities for hedging and other traditional corporate banking products Education/Professional Experience • An undergraduate degree with academic coursework in finance, economics, or accounting • 3 - 4 years of relevant experience within investment banking, corporate banking, corporate credit, commercial banking or capital markets • Completion of a financial analysis credit training program preferable Skills : • Excellent analytical skills pertaining to business, financial, and credit analysis • Skilled in building complex three-statement financial models • Strong written and oral communication skills • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office products, notably MS Excel • Ability to be creative, insightful and resourceful in performance of duties • Strong interpersonal skills used within a demanding team environment • Strong ability to attentively review, assess, and provide detailed information daily on multiple projects in an organized manner while meeting client-driven deadlines • Excellent capability to independently function as part of a team through self-motivation Salary : The salary range for this role is $135,000 up to $165,000 USD (subject to the candidate meeting the specific skills, experience, education, and qualification requirements) Salary : Pay Type: Salaried The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type. Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position. BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards About Us At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world. As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset. To find out more visit us at http://jobs.bmo.com/us/en BMO is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. BMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to BMOCareers.Support@bmo.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.

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