About Credit Analyst Academy
Practical online credit analysis and commercial lending training, developed by experienced commercial bankers for the Australian market.
Founded by Darren McNamara and Thanh Do, Credit Analyst Academy helps students, graduates, bankers, finance professionals and brokers develop
the skills to assess lending proposals and prepare clear, well-supported credit recommendations.
We created the course to help participants understand how commercial lending works and apply their knowledge through practical exercises,
assessment feedback and personalised mentoring.
Meet Our Co-Founders
Darren McNamara
Darren brings more than 40 years of banking and commercial lending experience to Credit Analyst Academy.
He has worked across ANZ, Westpac Group and Commonwealth Bank in senior roles spanning business banking, relationship management, commercial lending and credit assessment.
Throughout his career, Darren has assessed and structured complex lending transactions, reviewed credit risk and coached bankers and credit professionals.
As Co-Founder and Mentor, he draws on this experience to explain how lenders assess proposals, what makes a credit recommendation convincing and why commercial judgement matters.
Career highlights from Darren’s four decades in banking include:
- Senior banking roles across ANZ, Westpac Group and Commonwealth Bank
- Extensive 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
- Industry recognition for leadership, business performance and customer relationships
Darren brings these insights to the course through practical examples, assessment reviews and guidance on how to approach lending proposals.
Thanh Do
Thanh brings more than 15 years of banking experience, including commercial banking, corporate banking, credit analysis and property finance.
At Commonwealth Bank, she progressed through analyst and leadership roles. As a Corporate Analyst in the Major Client Group, she supported senior bankers on complex transactions for large Australian businesses.
She later led teams in diversified cash flow lending and commercial property finance, developing Senior Associates, Analysts and Account Managers and supporting credit assessment and loan structuring.
As Co-Founder and Mentor, Thanh helps participants develop their analysis, explain their findings clearly and understand what those findings mean for a credit recommendation.
Career highlights from Thanh's commercial banking and leadership career include:
- More than 15 years of banking and credit analysis experience
- Analyst and leadership roles at Commonwealth Bank across commercial banking, corporate banking and the Major Client Group
- Leading teams in diversified cash flow lending and property finance
- Coaching analysts and banking professionals who progressed into senior roles
- Supporting credit assessments and lending transactions for mid-market and corporate clients
Thanh draws on her experience in credit analysis and team development to provide practical feedback and help participants work through areas they find challenging.
Our Mission & Values
Our mission is to help participants develop the skills and judgement to assess commercial lending proposals and support their credit recommendations. We combine structured online learning with practical exercises and guidance from experienced commercial bankers.
Practical Capability
We teach participants to analyse financial information, assess repayment capacity, identify risks and explain their conclusions in a credit paper.
Commitment to Excellence
We encourage careful analysis, sound reasoning and clear credit writing. Our training asks participants to question assumptions and support their recommendations with evidence.
Personalised Mentorship for Growth
We review participants’ assessments, explain areas for improvement and provide guidance to help them strengthen their understanding and apply what they learn.
What We Offer
Our course combines 20 practical online modules with review questions, practical exercises and personalised mentoring from experienced commercial bankers.
Expert-Led Training
Learn from Darren and Thanh, who draw on their commercial banking experience to explain how lending proposals are assessed, structured and presented.
Practical Online Learning
Study online at your own pace, with clear explanations, worked examples and practical exercises covering credit analysis and commercial lending.
Ongoing Mentorship & Support
Experienced commercial bankers review your assessments, provide feedback and help you work through topics you find challenging.
Thinking About Becoming a Credit Analyst?
Credit analysts assess businesses, analyse financial performance and cash flow, identify risks and prepare credit recommendations.
Our course helps you develop these skills and apply them through practical exercises, financial modelling and a final credit paper assessment.
Preparing for your first credit role or moving into commercial banking? Build practical skills with online training, personalised mentoring and feedback on your assessments.
Apply NowReady to Expand Into Commercial Lending?
For mortgage and finance brokers, commercial lending offers opportunities to work with business clients and more complex financing needs.
Learn to assess commercial lending proposals, understand repayment capacity, consider appropriate loan structures and prepare
well-supported submissions for lenders.
