About Credit Analyst Academy
Practical credit analyst and commercial lending training developed by experienced commercial bankers for the Australian market.
At Credit Analyst Academy, we help students, graduates, bankers, finance professionals and brokers build practical credit analysis and commercial lending capability.
Founded by Darren McNamara and Thanh Do, experienced commercial bankers with a combined 55 years of banking, credit risk and commercial lending experience, our training bridges the gap between theory and real-world credit application.
Our structured training helps participants build confidence, commercial judgement and practical credit skills aligned to industry expectations.
Meet Our Co-Founders
Darren McNamara
Darren McNamara brings more than 40 years of banking and commercial lending experience to Credit Analyst Academy.
Over his career, Darren has worked across ANZ, Westpac Group and Commonwealth Bank, holding senior roles in credit assessment, business banking, relationship management and commercial lending.
He has assessed and structured complex commercial lending transactions, reviewed credit risk, supported business customers and coached bankers and credit professionals across multiple institutions.
What makes Darren’s approach valuable is that it is grounded in real banking experience, not just theory. He understands how lenders assess transactions, what credit teams look for and why strong commercial judgement matters.
Darren co-founded Credit Analyst Academy to help participants build practical credit skills, confidence and commercial lending insight, so they can assess risk, structure transactions and prepare stronger credit submissions.
His approach is clear, practical and grounded in real credit experience, helping participants understand not only what to do, but why it matters.
Career highlights from Darren’s four decades in banking include:
- Senior banking roles across ANZ, Westpac Group and Commonwealth Bank
- More than 40 years of experience in business banking, commercial lending and credit assessment
- Assessing and structuring complex commercial lending transactions
- Managing large credit portfolios and supporting business customer growth
- Mentoring analysts, bankers and emerging leaders across Australian banking
- Recognition through industry awards for leadership, business performance and customer relationships
Darren’s career reflects deep credit expertise, strong commercial judgement and a long-standing commitment to helping develop the next generation of banking and lending professionals.
Thanh Do
Thanh Do brings more than 15 years of experience across Australian banking, finance, commercial lending and credit analysis.
She has built her career at Commonwealth Bank across retail banking, commercial banking and corporate banking. As a Corporate Analyst in the Major Client Group, Thanh supported senior bankers on complex transactions for some of Australia’s largest corporate clients.
Thanh later moved into leadership roles, managing high-performing teams across diversified cash flow lending and property finance. She has led Senior Associates, Analysts and Account Managers, helping them strengthen their credit capability, improve turnaround times and deliver tailored lending solutions for mid-market clients.
Known for her technical credit expertise, practical leadership style and commitment to developing others, Thanh has coached and mentored banking professionals who have progressed into senior roles across banking.
Thanh co-founded Credit Analyst Academy to help aspiring credit analysts and bankers build the practical skills, structured thinking and commercial judgement needed to succeed in credit analysis and commercial lending.
Career highlights from Thanh's commercial banking and leadership career include:
- More than 15 years of experience across banking, finance, commercial lending and credit analysis
- Senior roles across Commonwealth Bank, including commercial banking, corporate banking and Major Client Group
- Leading and developing high-performing teams of Senior Associates, Analysts and Account Managers
- Coaching and mentoring emerging credit analysts and banking professionals into more senior roles
- Supporting complex credit structuring, risk assessment and tailored lending solutions for mid-market and corporate clients
Thanh’s career reflects deep technical expertise in credit analysis, risk assessment and commercial lending, combined with a strong commitment to developing future banking and lending professionals.
Our Mission & Values
We deliver structured, practical training designed to build real capability in commercial lending. Through expert guidance, applied exercises and personalised mentorship, we help aspiring credit professionals develop the skills, confidence and judgement required to succeed in credit analysis and commercial lending.
Practical Capability
We deliver applied training that builds real-world credit analysis capability. Participants develop the clarity, structure and commercial judgement needed to assess lending scenarios with confidence
Commitment to Excellence
Built on decades of commercial banking experience, our training upholds high standards in technical depth, structured analysis and professional discipline. Our focus is on capability that aligns with real industry expectations.
Personalised Mentorship for Growth
We provide meaningful mentor support to guide participant development. Through feedback, direction and practical insight, we help participants strengthen commercial judgement and professional confidence.
What We Offer
Credit Analyst Academy provides structured online training for university students, graduates, bankers, finance professionals and brokers who want to build practical credit analysis and commercial lending capability.
Expert-Led Training
Learn directly from Darren and Thanh, drawing on decades of commercial banking and lending experience to build practical credit analysis skills and commercial insight.
Practical Online Learning
Build commercial lending capability through structured modules, case studies and guided exercises aligned with how credit is assessed in practice.
Ongoing Mentorship & Support
Receive mentor guidance throughout the course to strengthen technical capability, commercial judgement and confidence as you build industry experience.
Thinking About Becoming a Credit Analyst?
Credit analysts play a key role in business and commercial banking by assessing transactions, analysing financial performance and evaluating credit risk. If you enjoy structured thinking, problem solving and commercial analysis, credit analysis offers strong career progression and real commercial impact.
Whether you are beginning your career, transitioning into commercial lending or strengthening your existing capability, Credit Analyst Academy delivers structured, practical training designed to build real commercial lending and credit analysis skills.
Apply NowReady to Expand Into Commercial Lending?
For residential mortgage and finance brokers, moving into commercial lending can open the door to larger transactions, broader client opportunities and more complex lending scenarios. Build the technical capability and commercial judgement needed to confidently assess, structure and present commercial transactions.
