Trade Finance Analyst

Position Summary

The Trade Documentary Examiner is responsible for the detailed review, examination, and processing of import, export, and standby letter of credit presentations. This position ensures that all documents comply with the terms and conditions of the applicable letter of credit, international trade finance standards, regulatory requirements, and the Bank’s internal policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will possess substantial hands-on experience in documentary examination, a strong understanding of international trade finance practices, and the ability to identify discrepancies, assess transaction risk, and communicate effectively with clients, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Documentary Examination and Trade Finance Operations

• Examine import and export documents presented under commercial and standby letters of credit to determine compliance with the credit’s terms and conditions.
• Apply the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600), International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP), and other applicable international trade finance rules when reviewing documentary presentations.
• Review commercial invoices, bills of lading, airway bills, packing lists, certificates of origin, insurance documents, inspection certificates, and other trade-related documentation.
• Identify, analyze, and document discrepancies, including inconsistencies in document descriptions, dates, amounts, shipment details, signatures, and other requirements stipulated in the letter of credit.
• Determine whether presentations are compliant, require further review, or should be refused based on applicable rules and Bank procedures.
• Process payments for compliant presentations and coordinate the resolution of outstanding issues before payment or settlement.
• Prepare and process bankers’ acceptances under letters of credit, as requested, ensuring appropriate documentation and approvals are obtained.
• Review transaction instructions, verify applicable deadlines, and monitor presentation, acceptance, maturity, and payment dates.
• Obtain required internal approvals, customer authorizations, waivers, and payment instructions before proceeding with transactions.
• Prepare accurate and timely discrepancy notices, document refusal notices, payment confirmations, and other transaction-related correspondence.
• Coordinate with issuing banks, advising banks, confirming banks, beneficiaries, applicants, and other counterparties to resolve documentary issues and facilitate transaction processing.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Conduct or coordinate sanctions screening and applicable compliance checks in accordance with Bank policies, regulatory requirements, and established escalation procedures.
• Identify potential sanctions, financial crime, fraud, or other compliance concerns and promptly escalate exceptions to the appropriate internal departments.
• Follow applicable requirements relating to anti-money laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance, and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions, as relevant to assigned transactions and internal procedures.
• Ensure documentary examination and payment decisions are supported by appropriate documentation, approvals, and transaction records.
• Maintain awareness of changes to international trade finance rules, banking regulations, and internal operating procedures that may affect documentary examination.
• Protect confidential customer and transaction information and adhere to the Bank’s operational risk and information security standards.

Recordkeeping and Operational Controls

• Maintain complete, accurate, and organized records of documentary presentations, examination findings, approvals, discrepancies, payments, acceptances, and related correspondence.
• Enter and update transaction information in the Bank’s trade finance processing systems.
• Reconcile transaction details and verify the accuracy of payment instructions, amounts, currencies, charges, and relevant dates.
• Adhere to departmental service-level agreements, productivity targets, processing deadlines, and quality control standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve processing efficiency, documentation quality, and operational controls.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, quality assurance testing, and other examinations as required.
• Perform additional duties related to trade finance operations as assigned by management.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of hands-on experience as a Documentary Examiner or in a comparable trade finance operations role, with substantial experience reviewing import and/or export letter of credit transactions.
• Strong technical knowledge of commercial letters of credit, documentary presentations, discrepancy identification, and payment processing.
• Thorough working knowledge of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600).
• Working knowledge of International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP) and its application to documentary examination.
• Familiarity with international trade documentation, shipping terminology, and common import and export transaction structures.
• Knowledge of applicable banking compliance requirements, including sanctions screening and relevant AML/BSA controls.
• Strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to interpret complex documentary requirements and identify discrepancies accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, precise, and professional discrepancy notices and transaction correspondence.
• Proficiency with automated trade finance processing systems and standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet strict deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a high-volume operational environment.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with BankTrade or comparable trade finance and letter of credit processing platforms.
• Experience handling both import and export letters of credit, as well as standby letter of credit presentations.
• Experience preparing bankers’ acceptances and processing transactions involving document discrepancies, waivers, and payment authorizations.
• Familiarity with International Chamber of Commerce trade finance publications and evolving international banking practices.
• Relevant professional training or certifications in trade finance, documentary credits, international banking, or trade compliance.

Professional Certifications and Training

Required: No specific professional certification is identified as mandatory in the original job posting. Relevant practical experience and technical knowledge of documentary credits are the stated core requirements.

Preferred certifications and credentials may include:

• Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS) — An internationally recognized credential focused on documentary credit operations, examination, and the application of international rules and standards.
• Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF) — Covers international trade, trade finance products, documentary credits, and related banking practices.
• Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) — A trade finance credential that may be relevant depending on the candidate’s training provider and the program’s current availability and recognition.
• Trade finance and documentary credit training through the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) — Relevant courses covering UCP 600, ISBP, documentary examination, and international trade rules.
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), and sanctions compliance training — Relevant professional development for personnel involved in transaction screening and trade finance controls.

Candidates should be evaluated on the relevance of their credentials to documentary examination responsibilities. These certifications and training programs are suggested qualifications, not confirmed IDB Bank requirements.

Compensation
The expected annual salary for this position is between $70,000 and $85,000 at the start of employment. A salary offer is determined on an individualized basis, taking into consideration factors such as an individual’s skills and experience. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package also includes eligibility for an annual bonus, medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision plans, life and disability insurance, employee wellness program, retirement and savings plans with employer contributions, generous holiday and paid time off schedules, parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.
Additional Information
The Bank Will Make Reasonable Accommodations To The Following Employees To Allow Them To Perform The Essential Functions Of Their Position, Except Where Doing So Would Result In Undue Hardship To The Bank

• Those with a known mental or physical disability.
• Pregnant individuals and/or individuals with pregnancy or childbirth-related medical conditions.
• Victims of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking.
• Employees with religious observance and practice obligations.

Any employee who believes he or she needs an accommodation for any of the above reasons should contact their supervisor or a member of Human Resources to request such an accommodation. In each case, the Bank will engage in a good faith written or oral dialogue concerning the individual’s accommodation needs; potential accommodations that may address the individual’s accommodation needs, including alternatives to a requested accommodation; and the difficulties that such potential accommodations may pose for the employer.
The Bank retains the ultimate discretion to choose the appropriate reasonable accommodation. Upon reaching a final determination at the conclusion of the cooperative dialogue, the Bank will provide the requesting individual with a written final determination identifying any accommodation granted or denied. In addition, the Bank will maintain any information regarding the employee’s request and status in the strictest confidence, except as requested by the employee, as required on a need-to-know basis or as otherwise required by law.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
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