Credit Analyst - Insurance - Analyst / Senior Analyst level - based in London

Fitch Ratings is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research. Dedicated to providing value beyond the rating through independent and prospective credit opinions, Fitch Ratings offers global perspectives shaped by strong local market experience and credit market expertise. The additional context, perspective and insights we provide have helped fund a century of growth and enables you to make important credit judgments with confidence.

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, and we work in an environment where people can be their true selves. Our inclusive and progressive approach helps us to keep a balanced perspective.

Fitch is committed to training and developing its analysts through the Fitch Credit Academy. Analysts have the opportunity to study relevant training modules and participate in internal training sessions providing both broad industry knowledge and sector-specific expertise. Fitch also requires analysts to participate in training on its policies and procedures. Sponsorship is available for external qualifications such as the CFA.

Department & Role Overview

The Fitch global insurance group covers all areas of the insurance market including life, non-life and reinsurance. Leveraging industry data and well-tested credit metrics, our analytical process is supported by a careful mix of quantitative and qualitative factors.

Our Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) insurance team provides ratings and research, and supports Fitch's growing coverage of insurance markets, across these regions. The EMEA insurance team comprises analysts based in offices across Europe, including London, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid and Moscow.

Responsibilities:

We are looking for an insurance analyst to join the EMEA team at Analyst or Senior Analyst level to support Fitch's coverage of life and non-life insurers in the UK, as well as the wider EMEA region, and to deliver high quality credit research.

The role will be based in London.

Key responsibilities of the successful candidate will include:

-- carrying out financial analysis and insurance research, and drafting credit rating reports

-- taking part in in-depth meetings and discussions with senior management at rated institutions, with the support of senior experienced colleagues

-- preparing rating recommendations and rationale, and presenting these to a credit rating committee for scrutiny and Q&A

-- contributing to the publication of reports on insurers and research reports on insurance market topics

-- participating in rating committees and contributing to internal discussions on rating issues

The role is outward-facing, requiring liaison not just with rated institutions, but also with other market participants, such as fixed-income investors, bankers and insurance brokers.

The role may require international travel on an occasional basis (when it is safe and possible to do so).

Qualifications and Experience:

Candidates must have a strong educational background including a good first degree, and proven relevant experience relating to the insurance sector, which may have been gained, for example, in an insurance company, a consultancy firm or in a credit analysis role at a bank.

The ability to conduct business fluently in English is essential, while being able to do so in other major European languages would be an advantage although it is not a prerequisite.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

-- a questioning mind-set to identify the pertinent questions to assess an insurer's financial profile

-- the initiative, ability and organisational skills to take responsibility for a portfolio of credits

-- basic knowledge of insurance accounting and financial statements

-- understanding of financial ratio analysis

-- attention to detail

-- the ability to write clearly and to explain technical concepts in simple terms

-- the flexibility and ability to cope with time pressure and deadlines

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 asked to declare any securities holdings and other potential conflicts for you and your Family Members prior to commencing employment. If you, or your Family Members, have any holdings that may conflict with your work responsibilities, they must be sold before beginning work. In certain roles, employees and their Family Members may be limited to investments in diversified mutual funds only.

For more information about this policy, please visit the code of ethics and conduct page - http://www.fitchratings.com/web/en/dynamic/about-us/code-of-ethics-and-conduct.jsp

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