Trade Finance Operations 6-9 Months FTC

Crown Agents Bank is a vastly growing and regulated UK bank that connects emerging and frontier markets to the rest of the world, using FX and payments technology. We are transforming the way payments and FX move through emerging markets, reducing friction so that more money gets to those who need it. Emerging markets payments are usually challenging, expensive, unreliable and opaque. Our solutions help fix these pain points. Ultimately, we connect traditionally hard-to-reach regions to global financial infrastructure, giving access to the best prices and the fastest, most reliable settlement.

FX and cross-border payments are often complex and expensive, especially when operating in emerging markets. Crown Agents Bank (CAB) wraps its deep and trusted relationships and strength of network around innovative digital capabilities, and cross-border transaction banking solutions to enable fintech, corporates, governments, development organisations and banks to move money to, from, and across often hard-to-reach markets.

Job Description

Job Purpose: Trade Finance Operations

Join Our High-Growth Team Driving Global Trade Solutions

• Are you ready to take the next step in your Trade Finance career? Due to rapid growth and increased demand, we are expanding our  Trade Finance Operations Team  and seeking a  temp for 6 – 9 months  who is passionate about international trade and operational excellence.

• This is an  exciting opportunity  to play a critical role in the full lifecycle of Trade Finance instruments -spanning both  primary and secondary markets , and across our comprehensive product suite. From day one, you’ll be empowered to make impact, grow your expertise, and contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that supports global commerce.

• As part of our collaborative and high-performing team, you’ll gain  end-to-end exposure  to Trade Finance operations, offering a unique chance to develop deep product knowledge and enhance your career trajectory within a thriving business segment.
• We are looking for individuals who bring  hands-on experience in Trade Finance products and operations , a strong sense of ownership, and the ambition to grow and innovate within a market-leading team.

• Why join us?
  ✅ Work at the heart of trade operations
  ✅ Expand your expertise across diverse Trade Finance instruments
  ✅ Be part of a growing, supportive, and collaborative team
  ✅ Gain exposure to both primary and secondary market activities
  ✅ Build a long-term future with opportunities for progression

Participate in the entire lifecycle of Trade Finance products, including:

• Oversee the end-to-end processing and management of loans, from initiation to closure, ensuring all documentation is complete and compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate clients and loan-related data in internal systems, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Perform day-to-day tasks related to loan drawdowns, repayments, rollovers, rate fixing, and fee management, particularly for syndicated loans.
• Monitor loan portfolios, processing payments, and ensuring that overdue balances, fees, and charges are followed up in line with bank policy.
• Demonstrate hands-on expertise in forfaiting and in the execution of syndicated loan transactions, with an emphasis on effective risk distribution.
• Evaluate, process, and systematically maintain documentation related to risk participation and loan facilities.
• Draft and review offer and acceptances in accordance with Master Risk Participation Agreements (MRPA) for executing secondary market loan transactions.

• Perform end-to-end processing of Export Letters of Credit (L/C), ensuring accurate and timely execution throughout the entire lifecycle.
• Conduct thorough document examinations (both first and second checks) to verify compliance and highlight discrepancies.
• Process reimbursement claims and ensure timely settlement of payments related to trade transactions.
• Respond efficiently to both internal and external inquiries, providing clear and professional support.
• Perform end to end processing of guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs), i
• Review L/C and guarantee drafts to ensure alignment with contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Perform regular reconciliation of accounts to ensure accuracy and resolve any discrepancies.
• Deliver timely and effective responses to all queries, ensuring excellent service levels for both colleagues and clients.
• Take a proactive approach in optimizing team workflows, supporting comprehensive audit trails and meticulous record-keeping practices.
• Ensure management information (MI) reports are accurately prepared and consistently updated.
• Apply a thorough understanding of trade-based money laundering risks, recognising potential red flags and escalating suspicious transactions as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Extensive and well-rounded knowledge of trade finance products, with a focus on bilateral trade loans, syndications, risk participations, and forfaiting.
• Strong understanding of relevant ICC rules, including:

URF 800 Uniform Rules for Forfaiting

UCP600 - Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits

URDG 758- Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees (URDG 758)

URR 725- Bank-to-Bank Reimbursements under Documentary Credits

ISBP 745- International Standard Banking Practice

ISP98- International Standby Practices

• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in banking, with a strong focus on Trade Bilateral Loan syndicated loan products, Risk distribution (Sales/Credit Insurance) and forfaiting (required).
• Strong awareness of trade-based money laundering risks, with the ability to identify potential red flags and appropriately escalate suspicious transactions. Experienced in performing Financial Crime Compliance checks as a first line of defence for trade finance instruments (essential)
• Solid understanding of, Letters of Credits, SBLCs, Guarantees, and Forfaiting..
• Language skills French language would be an advantage in this role.
• Stays up to date with compliance regulation, including; money laundering, whistleblowing, anti-bribery and corruption and conduct rules and takes responsibility for the raising any concerns in line with Company policies
• Project Management skills
• Efficiently manages their range of work and meets deadlines set, keeping all appraised of progress
• Is able to identify how their areas of responsibility impact those of others and where required, can take the appropriate action
• Deals effectively with pressure and setbacks

Additional Information

• Hybrid working
• Contributory personal pension plan: - Minimum: Employee 2% and Employer 7%. Employer matches contributions in 1% increments to a maximum of: Employee 5% and Employer 10%
• Life Assurance – 4 times annual salary
• Group Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance – this may include cover for partner and or children at company cost. Cover includes Optical, Dental and Audiology
• Discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Annual Leave
• 2 Volunteering Days
• Benefit Hub