35 ChatGPT Prompts for Credit Analysts: Underwrite Faster, Write Sharper

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Credit analysts are the first line of defense against bad lending decisions and the first champions of creditworthy borrowers who deserve capital. These 35 ChatGPT prompts help you analyze financials faster, write sharper credit memos, and sharpen your risk instincts. Copy, paste, and adapt them to your portfolio.

1. Financial Statement Analysis

I am analyzing the financial statements of a [industry] company with the following key figures: Revenue [X], EBITDA [Y], Net Income [Z], Total Debt [A], Total Assets [B], Cash [C]. Calculate and interpret the key credit ratios (leverage, coverage, liquidity, and profitability), flag any ratios outside industry benchmarks, and identify the top three financial risk signals.

Perform a detailed analysis of the following income statement data for [Company Name] over three years: [paste data]. Identify revenue growth trends, margin compression or expansion, non-recurring items I should normalize, and any earnings quality concerns I should investigate further.

Analyze this balance sheet for signs of financial stress: [paste data]. Focus on: working capital trends, debt maturity profile, off-balance-sheet obligations I should ask about, asset quality (receivables aging, inventory turnover), and any aggressive accounting treatments.

Walk me through how to build a Sources & Uses of Funds analysis for a proposed [transaction type, e.g., acquisition / refinancing / capex project] with the following details: [transaction description]. Flag any funding gaps, over-leverage concerns, or equity cushion issues.

The company's cash flow from operations is [positive/negative] and has been [trend] over three years. Given the following data [paste CFO, capex, debt service], calculate Free Cash Flow, Debt Service Coverage Ratio, and assess whether the company can service its proposed debt of $[amount] at [interest rate]% over [term] years.

2. Credit Memo Writing

Write a structured credit memo executive summary for a [loan type, e.g., $5M commercial real estate term loan / $2M revolving credit facility] to [Company Name], a [industry] company. Use this financial and business information: [paste data]. Include: transaction overview, borrower overview, strengths, risks, mitigants, and recommendation.

Draft the Risk Section of a credit memo for a borrower in the [industry] industry that faces the following challenges: [list risks, e.g., customer concentration, cyclical revenue, thin margins, pending litigation]. For each risk, write a one-paragraph analysis that includes: nature of the risk, quantification where possible, and mitigating factors.

Write a loan structure recommendation section for a credit memo involving a [loan type] to a [borrower type]. Recommend: loan amount, tenor, amortization schedule, pricing rationale (spread over benchmark), financial covenants with specific thresholds, collateral requirements, and conditions precedent to closing.

I need to update a credit memo for a borrower's annual review. Last year's memo is summarized as: [brief summary]. Since then, the following has changed: [list changes]. Draft an updated financial analysis section reflecting performance versus prior projections and any revised risk rating recommendation with rationale.

Write a concise one-page credit approval summary for an [internal credit committee / SBA lender / credit union board] audience. Borrower: [Company Name]. Loan: [details]. Key financials: [data]. Recommendation: [approve/decline/approve with conditions]. Focus on the key risk/reward trade-off in plain, decisive language.

3. Risk Assessment & Due Diligence

I am underwriting a [loan type] for a company in the [industry] sector. Generate a comprehensive due diligence checklist organized by category (financial, legal, operational, collateral, management, market). Flag which items are most critical for this industry and loan type.

Assess the industry risk for a lending exposure to the [industry] sector. Cover: current macroeconomic headwinds and tailwinds, competitive dynamics, regulatory environment, typical margin profiles and volatility, historical default rates in this sector, and the key questions I must answer about this specific borrower's competitive position.

The borrower has a [DSCR / Debt-to-EBITDA / Current Ratio] of [value], which is [above/below] our policy threshold of [threshold]. Help me write a policy exception justification memo that: acknowledges the exception, provides quantitative and qualitative context, identifies compensating factors, and recommends appropriate risk mitigants.

I am evaluating collateral for a [commercial real estate / equipment / accounts receivable / inventory] secured loan. What are the key collateral risk factors I must assess, what advance rates are typical for this collateral type, what third-party reports should I order, and what collateral monitoring requirements should I include in the loan agreement?

Run a stress test analysis on this borrower's financials: [paste key metrics]. Model three scenarios: (1) Revenue declines 15%, (2) Interest rates rise 200bps, (3) Gross margin compresses by 300bps. For each scenario, show the impact on DSCR and Debt/EBITDA and indicate at what point the borrower would breach our covenant thresholds.

4. Financial Modeling & Projections

Help me build a projection model framework for a [industry] company seeking a [loan type]. The company has historical revenue of [$X, $Y, $Z] over three years with [trend]. Describe the key revenue drivers, cost structure assumptions, working capital dynamics, and capex requirements I should model. List the assumptions I need to validate with management.

The borrower has provided financial projections showing [X]% revenue growth over [N] years. How do I critically evaluate whether these projections are reasonable? Provide: industry benchmark growth rates, questions to challenge management assumptions, sensitivity variables to test, and red flags that suggest projections are overly optimistic.

Build a debt repayment waterfall model framework for a company with the following debt structure: [describe debt tranches, amounts, rates, maturities]. Show the priority of payments, identify which tranches are at risk if EBITDA falls below [threshold], and describe how I should present this in a credit memo.

I need to model the enterprise value and loan-to-value for a [transaction type]. The company has EBITDA of $[X]. What EBITDA multiples are typical for [industry] companies of this size? Walk me through the enterprise value calculation, net debt adjustment, implied equity value, and LTV at different debt levels. Flag at what LTV our lien position becomes vulnerable.

Create a working capital analysis framework for a [industry] borrower that is requesting a revolving credit facility of $[amount]. Show how to calculate the borrowing base using [A/R and inventory], model seasonal peak borrowing needs, identify over-advance risk, and specify the key borrowing base certificate fields I should require monthly.

5. Portfolio Management & Monitoring

I manage a portfolio of [N] commercial loans with a combined exposure of $[amount] in the [industry/mix] sector. Design a quarterly portfolio review framework that covers: concentration risk analysis, watch list criteria, early warning indicator monitoring, covenant compliance tracking, and how to present portfolio health to senior management.

A borrower in my portfolio just reported [negative event, e.g., loss of major customer representing 30% of revenue / covenant breach / auditor going concern opinion]. Draft a credit action memo that: describes the event and its financial impact, assesses the risk to our loan, lists immediate due diligence actions to take, and recommends a loan classification and any required reserves.

Design an early warning indicator (EWI) monitoring system for a portfolio of [loan type, e.g., middle market C&I loans]. List 15 specific EWIs organized by category (financial, behavioral, market, management), describe the data source for each, define the threshold that should trigger escalation, and outline the response protocol.

A borrower wants to obtain a covenant waiver for their [specific covenant, e.g., minimum DSCR of 1.20x] because they came in at [actual value] for the period. Write a framework for how I should evaluate this waiver request, what additional information I need, what fee and enhanced monitoring I should require, and how to document the decision.

Write a risk rating migration analysis memo for my portfolio over the past [quarter/year]. [Number] credits migrated from Pass to Watch, [number] from Watch to Substandard. Describe how I should present this to the credit committee, what root cause analysis I should conduct, and what portfolio actions I should recommend.

6. Regulatory, Compliance & Credit Policy

Explain the key differences between Pass, Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss loan classifications under OCC / FDIC examination standards. For each classification, describe: the defining characteristics, the required reserve treatment under CECL, and a realistic scenario for a [loan type] loan that would fall into this category.

I need to write a credit policy section on [topic, e.g., concentration limits / commercial real estate underwriting standards / covenant requirements for leveraged loans]. Draft the policy language with: purpose statement, applicability, specific standards and limits, approval authority matrix, exception process, and monitoring requirements.

Summarize the key credit risk implications of the following regulatory change / economic development for banks making [loan type]: [describe regulation or event, e.g., CECL implementation / rising interest rate environment / commercial real estate market stress]. What should I be doing differently in underwriting and portfolio management?

Help me prepare for an internal audit or regulatory exam of my commercial loan portfolio. What are the top 10 documentation deficiencies examiners most commonly find, how do I self-assess my portfolio before they arrive, and what does a well-documented credit file look like for a [loan type] loan?

Draft a credit committee presentation for a complex [transaction type, e.g., leveraged buyout / construction loan / ABL facility]. Structure it as: transaction overview, borrower profile, financial analysis, structure and collateral, risk factors and mitigants, pricing and returns analysis, and recommendation. Limit to 10 slides worth of content.

7. Communication & Professional Development

Write a decline letter to a borrower whose loan application for a [loan type] has been denied based on the following reasons: [list reasons, e.g., insufficient cash flow, high leverage, weak collateral]. The letter must comply with ECOA/Adverse Action notice requirements, be professional and respectful, and leave the door open for a future relationship.

Help me prepare for a credit analyst interview at a [bank type, e.g., regional bank / investment bank / credit fund]. Generate the 10 most likely technical and behavioral questions, provide model answers demonstrating strong credit judgment, and identify the 3 concepts I absolutely must be able to explain cold.

I need to explain a complex credit concept to a [business banker / relationship manager / board member] who does not have a credit background: [concept, e.g., DSCR / leverage ratios / CECL reserves / covenant mechanics]. Write a clear, jargon-free explanation with a simple numerical example and an analogy they will understand.

Write a performance review self-evaluation for a credit analyst covering the past year. Highlights include: [list accomplishments, e.g., analyzed 45 new credits, zero criticized assets in managed portfolio, contributed to policy update, mentored junior analyst]. Use a confident, quantified, professional tone aligned with credit department performance standards.

Create a 6-month development plan for a junior credit analyst who needs to improve in: [areas, e.g., financial modeling speed, memo writing clarity, industry analysis depth]. Include: specific skills to build, resources and training, stretch assignments, and measurable milestones to assess progress at 30, 60, and 90 days.