Trade Finance Analyst

Idbny•New York City, NY

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trade Documentary Examiner is responsible for reviewing, examining, and processing import, export, and standby letter of credit presentations. The role ensures that documents comply with letter of credit terms, international trade finance standards, regulatory requirements, and the Bank’s internal policies and procedures. The successful candidate will have substantial hands-on documentary examination experience, knowledge of international trade finance practices, and the ability to identify discrepancies, assess transaction risk, and communicate effectively with clients, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders. The position examines and processes documentary presentations, coordinates payments and transaction resolutions, prepares bankers’ acceptances when requested, and obtains required approvals and authorizations. It also supports sanctions screening and other compliance controls, maintains accurate transaction records, uses the Bank’s trade finance processing systems, and meets service-level, productivity, deadline, and quality standards. The role may support audits, compliance reviews, and quality assurance testing, and may perform additional trade finance duties as assigned. The Bank operates on a hybrid schedule. The expected annual salary at the start of employment is $70,000–$85,000, with offers determined individually based on factors including skills and experience. The total rewards package includes eligibility for an annual bonus; medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision plans; life and disability insurance; an employee wellness program; retirement and savings plans with employer contributions; holiday and paid time off schedules; parental leave; and tuition reimbursement. The Bank provides reasonable accommodations as described in the posting.

Requirements

At least 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 UCP 600.
Working knowledge of 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, including 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 ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.

Nice To Haves

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.
Potentially relevant credentials include CDCS, CITF, CTFP, ICC trade finance and documentary credit training, and AML, BSA, or sanctions compliance training; these are suggested qualifications, not confirmed Bank requirements.

Responsibilities

Examine import and export documents presented under commercial and standby letters of credit for compliance with credit terms and conditions.
Apply UCP 600, ISBP, and other applicable international trade finance rules to documentary presentations.
Review trade documents including invoices, bills of lading, airway bills, packing lists, certificates of origin, insurance documents, and inspection certificates.
Identify, analyze, and document discrepancies in documentary presentations.
Determine whether presentations are compliant, require further review, or should be refused under applicable rules and Bank procedures.
Process payments for compliant presentations and coordinate resolution of outstanding issues before payment or settlement.
Prepare and process bankers’ acceptances under letters of credit when requested, obtaining appropriate documentation and approvals.
Review transaction instructions, verify deadlines, and monitor presentation, acceptance, maturity, and payment dates.
Obtain required internal approvals, customer authorizations, waivers, and payment instructions before proceeding with transactions.
Prepare discrepancy notices, document refusal notices, payment confirmations, and other transaction correspondence accurately and promptly.
Coordinate with issuing, advising, and confirming banks, beneficiaries, applicants, and other counterparties to resolve documentary issues and facilitate processing.
Conduct or coordinate sanctions screening and applicable compliance checks under Bank policies, regulatory requirements, and escalation procedures.
Identify potential sanctions, financial crime, fraud, or other compliance concerns and escalate exceptions to appropriate internal departments.
Follow relevant AML, BSA, and OFAC requirements and internal procedures for assigned transactions.
Ensure documentary examination and payment decisions have appropriate supporting documentation, approvals, and transaction records.
Maintain awareness of changes to trade finance rules, banking regulations, and internal procedures affecting documentary examination.
Protect confidential customer and transaction information and follow operational risk and information security standards.
Maintain complete and organized records of presentations, examination findings, approvals, discrepancies, payments, acceptances, and correspondence.
Enter and update transaction information in the Bank’s trade finance processing systems.
Reconcile transaction details and verify payment instructions, amounts, currencies, charges, and relevant dates.
Meet 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 trade finance operations duties as assigned by management.