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Commercial Analyst Development Program - Chicago, IL (New Grad 2027)

BMO · Chicago, IL · $55,000–$110,000 a year · 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

This is a new graduate development program analyzing credit to support commercial lending decisions. Why commercial banking rather than another finance path?

What they are checking: Whether they have a genuine reason for choosing commercial banking, since commitment helps new analysts get through demanding training and early credit work.

You'd build and maintain client relationships alongside a relationship manager. How do you make yourself useful in a client meeting as the most junior person?

What they are checking: Whether they can add value in client meetings as a junior analyst through preparation and careful listening, rather than staying silent and passive.

What would you do

You'd monitor loan performance and the accuracy and integrity of loan documentation. Why does documentation accuracy matter to a bank?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that documentation errors can weaken the bank's legal protections, so accuracy matters well beyond simple administrative neatness.

You find something in a client's financials that does not add up. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise numbers that do not add up rather than ignoring them, since early questions can prevent a bad lending decision.

How do you keep several credit files moving when they all want your time?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize and manage several credit files at once, since analysts often juggle competing deadlines from different relationship managers.

This is a 2027 new graduate program at the Canal Street office with an application deadline of October 9, and there is a Summer 2027 credit analyst internship posted alongside it. Why the full-time program rather than the internship?

What they are checking: The stated terms plus a reason for this half of the pair

About the work

Walk me through how you would assess whether a business can repay a loan.

What they are checking: Whether they understand basic credit analysis, like cash flow, leverage and collateral, which forms the foundation for every lending decision they support.

You'd prepare detailed credit summaries. What belongs in one, and what does a credit officer actually need from it?

What they are checking: Whether they know what credit officers need from a summary, such as key risks and repayment sources, so decisions are made efficiently.

You'd analyze metrics and industry trends to spot risks and opportunities. Pick an industry and tell me what would worry you about lending into it.

What they are checking: Whether they can apply judgment to a real industry's risks, rather than reciting ratios, which shows readiness for actual credit analysis.

You'd support the negotiation of loan terms and the structuring of loans. What does structure actually protect a lender from?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how covenants and collateral protect lenders when a borrower's situation worsens, which is the purpose behind loan structure.

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The full job description

As published by BMO.

Application Deadline: 10/09/2026 Address: 320 S Canal Street Job Family Group: Commercial Sales & Service Analyzes credit information to support lending decisions and processes for new and existing Commercial banking loans and credit solutions in an assigned portfolio of clients. Makes credit decisions and recommendations in compliance with bank policies and procedures while maintaining an exceptional client service environment. • Performs financial analysis and calculations, assesses client creditworthiness, prepares detailed credit summaries, analyses financial performance and risk profiles of clients within the portfolio. • Supports credit-granting decisions by making recommendations to manager • Supports the negotiation of loan terms and conditions and the structuring of loans that align with client requirements and ensure compliance with the banks risk appetite and policies. • Supports portfolio monitoring and compliance, analyses metrics, and assesses industry trends to spot risks and opportunities. • Develops proposals to capture new business and expand client relationships. • Monitors loan performance, accuracy and integrity of loan documentation and addresses credit-related issues while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of loan documentation. • Builds and maintains client relationships to ensure long-term financial performance in collaboration with Relationship Manager and business partners. • Structures and supports new, renewal and extension loans aligned with client needs and bank & risk policies • Conducts financial analysis and risk assessments of clients’ credit information, for an assigned portfolio, to provide insights and make informed decisions • Monitors the portfolio performance for assigned portfolio of Commercial Banking clients on an ongoing basis, taking corrective action when required. • Minimizes BMO’s risk exposure by adhering to credit policies, regulatory standards, and operational guidelines. • Serves as a point of contact for service requests, ensuring expectations are consistently met or exceeded. Escalates issues when needed. • Supports and implements initiatives to enhance service quality, acquire new business and expand client relationships. • Identifies revenue and cross-selling opportunities to enhance portfolio growth. • Identifies share of wallet opportunities. • Leverages analysis tools to nurture and grow a portfolio that exceeds ROE thresholds and evaluates client returns on a proactive basis. • Manages timely and accurate data entry into BMO's systems and leverages the data to support decision-making. • Focus may be on a business/group. • Thinks creatively and proposes new solutions. • Exercises judgment to identify, diagnose, and solve problems within given rules. • Works mostly independently. • Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed. • Take measured risks while protecting the bank by applying our Risk Management Framework in the execution of your role, in line with our Risk Culture and within our approved Risk Appetite, making sound and risk informed decisions that align to business strategy, protect assets, and adhere to applicable policy documents (Frameworks, Policies, Standards, Procedures and Supporting documents), laws and regulations. Qualifications: • Preferred 1 – 3 years of relevant experience in credit or lending instruments or financial operations in a corporate or banking environment. • If a Credit Qualifiable job, Credit Qualifications and associated credit knowledge and skills according to the credit portfolio requirements and qualification standards. • Bachelor’s degree required; Business Administration, Finance and Accounting preferred. Any other related discipline or commensurate work experience considered. • Specialized knowledge from education and/or business experience. Foundational level of proficiency: • Problem Solving • Collaboration • Detail-Oriented • Customer Service • Analytical Thinking Intermediate level of proficiency: • Financial Analysis • Loan Structuring • Data analysis tools • Regulatory Compliance • Portfolio Management • Credit Risk Assessment • Banking Operations • Microsoft Office Salary : $55,000.00 - $110,000.00 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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