

For example, the scores for public debt instruments are referred to as credit ratings or debt ratings (i.e., AAA, BB+, etc.) for personal borrowers, they may be called risk ratings (or something similar). The score may be called several different things. Lenders evaluate a variety of performance and financial ratios to understand the borrower’s overall financial health.īased on the lender’s proprietary analysis techniques, models, and underwriting parameters more broadly, a borrower’s credit assessment will yield a score. The quantitative part of the credit risk assessment is financial analysis. Management’s reputation and owner’s personal credit scores will be included in the analysis.

Analyzing and understanding the management team and ownership (if the business is privately owned).Evaluating the business itself – including its competitive advantage(s) and management’s growth strategies.Analyzing the industry in which the borrower operates.Understanding what’s going on in the business environment and the broader economy.Categories of qualitative risk assessment include: Risk rating a commercial borrower requires a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques. On the other hand, commercial lending is much more complex many business clients borrow larger dollar amounts than individuals. In personal lending, creditors will want to know the borrower’s financial situation – do they have other assets, other liabilities, what is their income (relative to all of their obligations), and how does their credit history look? Personal lending tends to rely on a personal guarantee and collateral. They are:Ĭredit risk is measured by lenders using proprietary risk rating tools, which differ by firm or jurisdiction and are based on whether the debtor is a personal or a business borrower. The 5 Cs of Credit is a helpful framework to better understand credit risk and credit analysis.Ĭredit risk management is a multi-step process, but it can broadly be split into two main categories.Lenders seek to manage credit risk by designing measurement tools to quantify the risk of default, then by employing mitigation strategies to minimize loan loss in the event a default does occur.Credit risk is a specific financial risk borne by lenders when they extend credit to a borrower.
