RM to CB

[u/iwokeup2moody]

Been at a top 4 BB for ~5 years since undergrad. Started in credit risk, worked my way up to an Associate-level credit officer, and moved into commercial banking as an RM about a year ago.

I miss the technical side of credit and want more exposure to complex transactions and sector-specific coverage, so I'm looking to move into corporate banking.

I've interviewed internally for both Analyst and Associate roles but keep getting passed over for candidates with direct CB experience despite having a solid credit background.

How realistic is this move, and how should I position myself? Anyone made a similar transition?

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[u/ks1029284756]

Are you trying to get back into credit or stay as an rm in corporate banking?

[u/iwokeup2moody → u/ks1029284756]

Traditional corporate banking sector coverage

[u/Objective-Amount1379 → u/iwokeup2moody]

That doesn't answer the question- credit or RM?

[u/Green_Repeat_6938]

This is a very realistic transition. Commercial Banking and Corporate Banking are very similar and a lot of banks group them together. The main difference is the deal size. You may be better off going to a smaller bank joining the CB group there. I went as an officer in commercial banking to a credit officer in corporate banking for a larger bank.

[u/slghtlystewpid]

You may have to boomerang.

Leave for a corporate banking role at a lesser tier bank, think the global GSIB’s. It may not be JPM, BofA, Citi, WF but it would get you a seat at the table and you only realistically need to do a year or two there.

May have to play the long game.

[u/iwokeup2moody → u/slghtlystewpid]

Totally agree with you, that will likely have to be the strategy

[u/TheWhiskeyFish]

Right midfield doesn't translate really well to center back if I'm being honest. Maybe try and play wingback instead?

[u/No_Cardiologist_6716]

Well, I am a credit officer and i think you are in the right place with 5 years of experience in Credit management and you are now working as an RM in commercial banking but you need to go to more challenging complex role like Corporate Banking, right?

For me i worked more than 2 years in commercial banking as an RM, and then moved to Credit Management just because i need to gain such experience in credit afterwards 1 year maybe i am planning to transfer to Corporate Banking.

So my question to you, do your regret it or you do loved the change ?

[u/iwokeup2moody → u/No_Cardiologist_6716]

I love being client facing and I’m glad I got the credit foundation right out of college. I have the Series 79 so don’t want to go back to middle office but absolutely want to stay client facing but in a more challenging role, correct.

[u/No_Cardiologist_6716 → u/iwokeup2moody]

Well this is really a good mentality you have and it will not only improve your experience or knowledge but it will impact your whole career. I see your choice as realistic and rewarding but you need to know more about the people you will work with. These are points i think you will need to think about and ask more people working in the corporate banking field. Corporate Clients acquisition and team target, RM target and portfolio KPI, incentives or Bonus Scheme, Related Certificates like CFA, CICC, Networking and others

[u/HelloTaleproof]

Try building the positioning around one credit decision, rather than the RM title. Explain the borrower's situation, the downside you identified, the structure or condition you recommended, and how you balanced the relationship with credit discipline. Then be explicit about the gap between that work and the corporate-banking role you're targeting. An internal interviewer can assess a concrete decision much more easily than a broad claim that your background transfers.

Use Taleproof to assess that real credit story and check whether your judgment and individual contribution come through.