Research Associate I Fintech - Consumer Finance/Payments

Under general supervision, the Research Associate is responsible for providing information, data gathering, analysis, modeling, and organizational support to the senior level Research Analysts. This is an opportunity to work for a top ranked II team on Wall Street and as such, the expectations are that the candidate for this job is prepared for a fast paced and dynamic experience.  As such, the team prefers a candidate that has mastered the foundational skills required of an Associate level II. At this level, assumes significantly more writing and modeling responsibilities; is responsible for developing a solid understanding of the assigned sector and can clearly state and defend the investment thesis for all stocks in the assigned sector; and must be able to handle basic question from Sales and Clients and is beginning to represent the associates in internal research presentations. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONISIBILITIES

• Build and maintain Excel-based financial models, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and discounted cash flow analysis.
• Formulate mathematical or simulation models of problems, relating constants and variables, restrictions, alternatives, conflicting objectives, and their numerical parameters.
• Analyze information obtained from management in order to conceptualize and define operational problems.
• Perform validation and testing models to ensure adequacy; reformulate models as necessary.
• Building and updating comp sheets.
• Managing the databases and electronic data services (i.e. Bloomberg, FactSet, etc.)
• Must be able to clearly state and defend the Analyst's investment thesis and outlook for each of the stocks under coverage.
• Respond to basic questions from Institutional sales and clients regarding covered companies, and industry questions and data requests.
• Develop written product with modest direction from the senior level Research Analyst.
• Able to evaluate basic valuation methodologies to stocks under coverage and the broader sector.
• Meets the special projects demands of the senior level Research Analysts.
• Uses all resources to determine and locate relevant data.
• Continues to build industry knowledge.
• Continues to develop external sources (management teams, suppliers, and customers). Must be able to integrate these sources in the research product. Will be assigned a small client contact list and will be responsible for meeting the needs of those clients.
• Some travel by car and/or air in conjunction with local, regional and/or national travel, up to 20%.

$95,000 to $105,000 base salary

QUALIFICATIONS

• Inductive Reasoning - the ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Critical Thinking - using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative  solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgement and Decision Making - considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Time Managment - managing one's own time and priorities to ensure the meeting of deadlines.
• Oral and Written Expression - the ability to communicate information and ideas in spoken or written form so that others will understand.
• Economics, Accounting, Finance, and Securities Analysis - knowledge of economics, accounting, and financial principes, the financial markets, the industry, the analysis and reporting of financial date, and associated terminology.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum required: Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum required: 2 to 4 years of relevant industry experience and /or proven experience at the Associate I level.

LICENSES AND CREDENTIALS

• Minimum required: none.

SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW), a Stifel Company, is a full-service investment bank and broker dealer specializing in the financial services sector.  KBW has established itself as a leading independent authority in the depositories, insurance companies, broker-dealers, mortgage banks, asset management companies, securities exchange, and specialty finance sectors. The professionals at KBW have deep domain expertise and understand the rapidly changing financial services industry.  Based on a history of exceptional transaction execution and significant senior level attention, KBW is a trusted advisor by its clients. 

KBW offers a competitive salary and benefits (medical, vision, dental, paid time off, 401k) and is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.