Meet Art, an Analyst with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking

>> My name is Art, and I'm an analyst with Commercial Banking at Wells Fargo. We make loans to large technology, manufacturing, and retail businesses - companies that help our economy grow. But let me tell you - I didn't expect my path to lead here. I grew up in a small desert town near Los Angeles. Back then, all I wanted to do was run. Competitive training taught me a lot about perseverance and leadership. In college, I majored in Spanish literature. I took a few business classes, but I wasn't really sure what I wanted in a career. All I knew was that I wanted to make a difference, so I started doing fundraising for local nonprofits. I built a lot of relationships around the city, and that's actually how I heard about the Financial Analyst Program. A Wells Fargo volunteer said I'd be a good fit, and encouraged me to apply. At first, it seemed like a complete 180 from what I was doing. But I've always been interested in new opportunities. Plus, Wells Fargo has a good reputation - so I went for it. Once I got here, I realized a lot of my nonprofit skills fit right in. What we do in Commercial Banking is all about building relationships - we really listen to what our customers need, and we help them achieve their goals. Hey, Peter. Do you have a second? >> I do, Art. Did you get those numbers run? >> I have it here. >> Okay. I want to see financial projections on this customer, to see if they can cash flow on the term loan. >> Practically speaking, I underwrite credit, which means I analyze a company's creditworthiness and its ability to repay a loan. Sometimes I'm looking at a company's competitive market position, or I'm assessing its financial performance. What I do helps Wells Fargo make real lending decisions. So I ran the numbers, and my analysis is based both on historical performance, and also the customer projections. >> Right. >> We show cash surplus throughout the life of the loan, and even in a downside scenario, we still have ample coverage. It's a challenge, but I'm learning a lot. I'm receiving formal credit training, plus so much more from people around me. It's a skill that I can really run with. It also means a lot to me to be part of a company that really shares my values. Wells Fargo is a strong supporter of the LGBT community. I get to be me at work - to bring my whole self to this office, every day, and know that I'm supported, and that my voice matters. I'm invested in this company - it's home to me. I'm serving the community every day, with every new relationship I make.