Project a bank's CF Statement? modeling help

Hi, I'm prep for my FIG interview. I have the BS and IS down, but still confused abgt CF statement. 1) do analysts actually model CF statements in FIG group, especially for banks? I've seen some models that just use cash as a plug number to balance the BS.... is that right? 2) also a Q on charge offs.... I know it helps calculate the ending allowance balance... but the charge off $$ doesn't hit any IS or BS line items?? this just feels weird...

12 Comments
 
Best Response

Charge offs only affect the balance sheet whereas loan loss provisions are taken through the income statement.

For example, let's take a bank that has $1000 of loans of which $10 are non-performing loans (NPLs). The bank might hold hold $5 of loan loss reserves (a counterbalance, similar to accumulated depreciation held against gross PP&E). If the bank charges off a bad loan, the NPL balance declines by 5 while the loan loss reserve also declines by 5. This has zero income statement impact.

In this same example, let's say the bank decides to increase its loan loss reserves to $10. It takes a $5 charge to the income statement and builds up its loan loss reserves to $10. This has both an income statement and balance sheet impact.

 
"models_and_bottles"

Charge offs only affect the balance sheet whereas loan loss provisions are taken through the income statement.

For example, let's take a bank that has $1000 of loans of which $10 are non-performing loans (NPLs). The bank might hold hold $5 of loan loss reserves (a counterbalance, similar to accumulated depreciation held against gross PP&E). If the bank charges off a bad loan, the NPL balance declines by 5 while the loan loss reserve also declines by 5. This has zero income statement impact.

In this same example, let's say the bank decides to increase its loan loss reserves to $10. It takes a $5 charge to the income statement and builds up its loan loss reserves to $10. This has both an income statement and balance sheet impact.

See page 4 http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ONE/1102086948x0x854371/74E84F83…

In your example, yes, it the LLR release perfectly offsets the charge off, then yes the net impact is 0. In practice though, they rarely if ever completely offset each other.

Both a charge off and an increase to the the LLR have a negative impact on the income statement.

I hope for your clients sake that you do not work in fig

 
In your example, yes, it the LLR release perfectly offsets the charge off, then yes the net impact is 0. In practice though, they rarely if ever completely offset each other.

Did I say that they always completely offset each other?

Both a charge off and an increase to the the LLR have a negative impact on the income statement.

By your own admission, that's not always true. Hence why banks have reserve builds and reserve drawdowns.

 

Where would you get numbers for operating activities (net income, D&A, etc) and working capital (current assets / liabilities)? Even if you wind up sourcing the numbers from somewhere, your model would then turn into just a pretty assortment of numbers.

More experienced monkeys, please feel free to chime in.

in it 2 win it
 

I mean, you could, but it would be pretty meaningless I would imagine.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

Enim tempora ut est laborum. Dicta doloribus repudiandae in molestias est. Dolorem tempore id omnis voluptatem. Alias nobis nam fugiat quia voluptates. Dolores corrupti in explicabo architecto. Doloribus quos quis cum molestiae labore est neque. Voluptates est placeat possimus consequatur nisi omnis sed.

Natus nemo corrupti commodi ipsa beatae dolore. Et et et excepturi ut ea numquam. Voluptatem omnis unde et quos ut accusantium. Quia hic modi ut adipisci debitis culpa asperiores. Necessitatibus ipsum maiores rerum id a. Eligendi minus animi consequatur et mollitia odit. Natus hic est rerum a.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”