Associate – Corporate Banking International (CBI) Benelux Branch

The Associate will provide relationship management support to the CBI Team in the Benelux Branch. Working closely with the designated Relationship Managers (RMs), you will help originate, manage and maintain corporate client relationships within the portfolio, as well as support the targeting of new client opportunities. Over time, you will take increasing client ownership, including credit and P&L responsibility where appropriate, and support RMs in their day‑to‑day activities.
Together with product partners, you will help deliver the full range of Commerzbank Group products and services in line with the Commerzbank business model – providing group-wide, holistic support to our national and international corporate clients.
Relationship Management & Client Support
- Support the Head of Desk and Relationship Managers in all client-related activities (e.g. preparation of marketing materials, client pitches, onboarding of new clients, KYC, file maintenance, financial analysis and credit support).
- Work with senior RMs to help originate, manage and maintain corporate client relationships.
- Support RMs in deepening relationships with key decision makers (e.g. CFOs, Treasurers, Finance Directors) and marketing the bank’s full product suite to drive cross‑sell.
- Gradually assume direct responsibility for selected client relationships in line with experience and business requirements.
KYC, Onboarding & Regulatory Responsibilities
- Support RMs as “client owners” and first line of defence for all regulatory requirements related to client onboarding, account opening and ongoing KYC/Know Your Business topics.
- Ensure KYC files are complete, accurate and up to date for all relevant entities and product lines, with the appropriate approvals in place.
- Assist with client onboarding and set‑up processes, including account opening and electronic banking systems.
Coordination & Internal Collaboration
- Coordinate and, where appropriate, deputise for the RM in managing the Client Service Team (CST), comprising international relationship coverage, product specialists and support functions.
- Ensure regular dialogue and information flow within the CST and with local branches/units, including providing information necessary to meet local regulatory and KYC requirements.
- Support and coordinate the annual relationship planning process with RMs and product colleagues; prepare business plans reflecting client needs, business potential and risk considerations.
Credit, Risk & Financial Crime
- Monitor clients’ business activities and financial performance in a timely manner to identify new business opportunities and ensure robust credit and financial crime risk monitoring.
- Initiate and support the business and credit approval process for new transactions and annual reviews, liaising with credit officers and other stakeholders.
- Prepare necessary documentation including credit applications, financial analyses and transaction pricing scenarios.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant AML/Financial Crime rules, policies and guidelines, including local regulations and laws.
- Record client interactions, key decisions and risk‑relevant information in the CRM system and KYC files on a timely basis.
(CC 01 / 02 tasks)
- Proactively identify sales opportunities and contribute to the execution of specific client deals and agreements.
- Align advice and proposed solutions with the client’s needs, requirements and strategic objectives.
- Handle internal/external client requests and queries in new or complex situations, ensuring appropriate fact‑finding and escalation where needed.
- Demonstrate cost awareness and revenue orientation in day‑to‑day work, combined with strong risk awareness and quality standards.
- Identify issues and problems in standard business situations, develop and assess potential solutions using established procedures, and make well‑reasoned recommendations.
Team Contribution & People Development
- Work collaboratively across the broader Benelux and International Corporates teams and act as a role model for junior staff members.
- Help coordinate workflow within the team and support junior or less experienced colleagues and trainees, including on‑the‑job training and guidance as required.
Key Requirements
- University degree (Bachelor or Master), preferably in Finance, Business Administration, Economics or a related discipline.
- experience in a corporate coverage, corporate banking or similar client-facing role, ideally with exposure to international corporates.
- Solid understanding of corporate banking products (e.g. lending, cash management, trade finance, markets products) and basic credit/risk concepts.
- Strong analytical and financial skills; comfortable with financial statements and credit analysis.
- High level of accuracy, diligence and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Strong team player with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and commercial focus.
- Fluent English and German (written and spoken); additional Benelux languages (Dutch and/or French) are a strong advantage.
Skills & Interests
- Strong interest in and understanding of AI, data analytics and digitalisation trends in corporate banking, with the ability to use data‑driven insights to support client pitches, portfolio steering and risk monitoring.
- Proficiency in Excel and experience with data tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau or similar) is highly desirable.
- Affinity with process automation and the use of digital tools to improve client service, efficiency and reporting.
- Curiosity about emerging technologies and their impact on the Business Services & Consumer sectors and on corporate clients’ business models.
- Advantageous: prior experience working within a Client Service Team (CST) structure and/or reporting to lead branches in an international corporate banking environment, including coordination of information flows and contribution to lead‑branch reporting and planning.
