Lewis Zhao

EU Long-Term Residence Permit Holder with 3 years of investment banking experience. Proactive and collaborative team player with expertise in financial analysis, modeling, and risk assessment. Specialized industrial knowledge in telecom, renewable energy, and infrastructure industries.

EXPERIENCE BANK OF CHINA Milan, Italy Senior Corporate & Project Finance Analyst Oct.2020 - Now • Reviewed and fine-tuned complex financial models including Project Finance Model, LBO Model, and Three-Statement Model to accurately forecast business performance, facilitating the evaluation of investment opportunities through robust sensitivity and scenario analyses.

• Conducted due diligence activities on potential corporate clients, analyzing historical financial data, assessing financial health, and evaluating market conditions to identify and assess risks associated with new investment opportunities.
• Deeply involved in structuring and execution of syndicated loan deals as Mandated Lead Arranger in sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, and telecom, expanding the bank’s portfolio by EUR 500 Mil.
• Utilized SQL to extract and prepare data, then leveraged Power BI to create a portfolio KPI dashboard, prominently featuring EVA (Economic Value Added), to support data-driven decision-making.
• Conducted thorough market and industry analysis, including market trend analysis, competitor analysis, and identifying emerging opportunities to assess the viability and profitability of investment prospects.
• Developed and maintained strong relationships with corporate clients, serving as the primary point of contact for their financial needs, while collaborating with internal cross-functional teams to ensure regulatory compliance and achieve optimal deal structures.

SKILLS: Financial Modelling, SQL, Cash Flow Forecast, Due Diligence, Risk Assessment, Market Research PROJECTS EUR 600 Mil Project Finance for EV Charge Points: Mandated Lead Arranger (Closed) • Developed a robust financial model to evaluate refinance risks in diverse adverse scenarios, incorporating Debt Service Coverage Ratios (DSCR) and sensitivity analysis for factors like charge points' utilization and all-in interest rates.

• Mitigated contractual risk by including conditions precedent tied to main project contracts and commercial agreements before fund disbursements.
• Enhanced commercial terms, such as the cash sweep clause, step-up margin, cap on the accordion facility, and financial covenants, aligning them with current market standards. EUR 260 Mil Project Finance for Solar Power Plants: Mandated Lead Arranger (Closed) • Teamed up with legal advisors to assess regulatory risks, addressing CfD tariff reductions and Borrower award failures by adding safeguards like a tariff-triggered cash sweep and a minimum 60% CfD revenue threshold as a default event in the loan agreement.
• Established conditions precedent for drawdowns, including key equipment delivery and technical advisor confirmation, to mitigate supply chain disruption risks.

EDUCATION Bocconi University Milan, Italy Master of Science in Economics 2017 – 2020 • GPA:110/110 The University of Melbourne Melbourne, Australia Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Finance and Economics 2014 - 2017