Lead Trade Servicing Specialist

Benefits Overview

A career at CoBank can offer you the opportunity to make a personal impact on the people and communities where we do business. In order to be the best, we hire the best!

Benefits Offered by CoBank

• Careers with a purpose
• Time-Off Packages, 15 days of vacation, 10 paid sick days and 11 paid holidays
• Competitive Compensation & Incentive
• Hybrid work model: flexible arrangements for most positions
• Benefits Packages, including Medical, Dental and Vision coverage, Disability, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• Robust associate training and development with CoBank University
• Tuition reimbursement for higher education
• Outstanding 401k: up to 6% matching and additional 3% non-elective contribution & Student Loan Match
• Community Impact: United Way Angel Day, Volunteer Day and Associate Directed Contribution
• Associate Resource Groups: creating a culture of respect and inclusion
• Recognize a fellow associate through our GEM awards

Job Description

Possesses subject matter expertise and understanding of Trade Services Products and Services such as Import, Export, and Standby Letter of Credit Letters of Credit, GSM, Supply Chain Finance, and Direct Collections. Performs technical transaction processing related to examining and paying standby and export letters of credit including reviewing and releasing transactions for other document specialists. Provides high-level customer service with particular emphasis on processing documents promptly and without exposure to the bank. Facilitates international trade transactions related to Commodity Credit Corporation programs.

Essential Functions

• Reviews letters of credit issued by foreign correspondent banks and interprets requirements. Resolves inconsistencies with the issuers, and provides advice to beneficiaries on alternatives. Enters information in the letter of credit system, and provides customer with formal advice.
• Examines commercial documents for accuracy and compliance with letter of credit terms and conditions and can assists peers in complex language review in relation to Trade rules and regulations
• Resolves discrepancies with customers, including offering alternatives for facilitating payments.
• Examines documentation for compliance to USDA programs and policies, and submits required documents and reports to government agencies.
• Processes payments under letters of credit and bankers' acceptances.
• Responds to customers' routine inquiries on technical questions regarding preparation of documents and/or mechanics of government program.
• Initiates loan advances for Trade Services related transactions.
• Accepts, secures, and monitors loan documentation.
• Process Supply Chain transactions. Enters information in Cync and ACBS to create funding and payment batches.
• Supports Direct Loan processing. Applies acquired knowledge of ACBS and ability to process loans and payments on ACBS Loan System.
• Documentary Collections, entry and payments. Process documentary collections (direct, import and export). Respond to foreign bank correspondents related to documentary collections. Enters information in the letter of credit system and provides customer with formal advice.
• Approves and releases transactions for section team members for all Trade Services products.
• Performs routine departmental audits and physical inventories of documents.
• Assists Trade Servicing leadership with mentoring, training and continuous improvement opportunities, including writing and maintaining procedures.
• Can effectively manage escalated customer and/or system matters in partnership with the Leadership Team.
• Serves as a backup resource to Trade Services Analyst in reconciliation and control reports review management.
• Provides support to other associates in completing assignments as required.

Education

• High school diploma or GED required

Work Experience

• 6 years of experience, preferably in the banking or financial services industry. required
• Subject matter expert knowledge from a banking operations perspective on letters of credit examination and payment processing in accordance with current ICC Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary, International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP) and CoBank's international banking standard.
• Knowledge of USDA programs such as General Sales Manager (GSM) and EXIM programs and regulations.
• Knowledge of principles of accounting.
• Subject Matter Expert of ICC Uniform Rules for bank-to-bank reimbursement, and CDCS certification preferred.
• Ability to solve problems and identify when to escalate issues.
• Demonstrated tact, persuasiveness and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with foreign and domestic customers, borrowers and financial institutions.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and detail orientation, with demonstrated ability to multi-task and work effectively under time constraints and changing priorities in order to meet deadlines
• Developed customer service, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact with and engage others appropriately at all levels in the organization.
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word and Excel)

Physical Exertion Details

Sedentary Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Travel Requirement Details

Occasional Travel occurs infrequently (typically, once a month or less).

About CoBank

The typical base pay range for this role is between $81,500 - $93,200. Compensation may vary based on individual job-related knowledge, skills, expertise, and experience. This position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance. The listed salary, other compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. This job will be posted for a minimum of five (5) business days or until the position is filled. CoBank reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and to modify or discontinue benefits programs at any time in its sole discretion, subject to applicable law.

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 76,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

We are committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all applicants, including qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability, or are assisting an applicant with a disability, and require accessibility assistance or would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the application process, including completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please submit a request by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io. Include your contact information and specific details about your requested accommodation.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

CoBank is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.