I feel underwhelmed at my job
I literally enter financials into software and it puts together all the ratios and even does financial impact analysis. I could probably teach a 5th grader to analyze financial statements on the level that is required to do my job. If someone invested the time and money, my job could be replaced by nicer software.
I want to take things up a notch to make the job more fun, increase my expertise and impress both my boss and my boss's boss. I want to get to the level where people come to me for my insights. I want, I want, I want, but I don't know how to do.
Finding it hard to believe this is all commercial banking is about.. what products do you cover?
Standard revolving lines of credit, construction loans, and other installment loans. Sectors include real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, non-profits, restaurants and whatever other small businesses land on my plate.
If i had to guess you are covering Credit Products as an underwriter right now in some sort of development program. At least thats what 1st year analysts do here.
The ultimate goal for our 1st year analysts is for them to decide to stay on the underwriting path or get into relationship management after 18 months. Not sure what kind of bank you are at, but i would suggest going deeper than just plugging and chugging in the software. Learn the clients/prospects on a deeper level and understand their industry, trends, and how what you are doing can impact their business. This is how you take things up a notch.
Could be wrong here as I'm only a first year IBD analyst, but I believe this is what senior investment bankers bring to clients too. On a high level, all kinds of "bankers" provide similar services.
Just curious are you at a Big 5 in Canada or a BB in the US?
I have friends in commercial, so I can understand your pain. Try asking to move up to a book with larger clients (bigger loans - more complex products & underwriting), the special credit group (distressed loans - more analysis), or even lateralling to corporate banking in the same bank if they'd let you do it (much more complex).
Otherwise - lots you can do to keep you challenged: study for your CFA, GMAT, etc. etc.
I am sure there is something you could do to value-add to the pre-built model. These models typically are backward looking, using historical financial statements that you plugged in to run default probabilities and recovery rates and whatnot.
Maybe pull some industry reports, or consolidate some forward looking information from sell-side research, to inform your boss(es) about potential headwinds that the client may be facing? You could also highlight key information that your boss(es) should take note of, for example if a client has a loan due for refinancing in 3 months, you could set a reminder to remind them to reach out to the client soon. These little things will help your boss(es) be more effective bankers, assuming you work for a relationship banker.
TLDR: think from the POV of your boss(es) and what might be useful information that they may appreciate. Always perform as if you're 2 pay grades above your current rank!
This is a great idea. I already built a backward looking Excel model all I need to do is add projections.
At the end of the day, most finance jobs are underwhelming. I mean, it's not climbing Everest, landing a jet airplane, or fighting wild animals; it's punching computer keys into a MS Excel sheet...
Landing a jet airplane... I hope you never see the inside of a cockpit because you'd be in for a major disappointment.
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