Trade Finance Analyst

IDBNY•New York, NY

1d•$70,000 - $85,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Trade Finance Analyst, described in the position summary as a Trade Documentary Examiner, reviews and processes import, export, and standby letter of credit presentations. The role ensures documentary compliance with letter of credit terms, international trade finance standards, regulatory requirements, and the Bank’s policies and procedures. It requires hands-on documentary examination experience and the ability to identify discrepancies, assess transaction risk, and communicate with clients, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders. The position examines trade documents, determines whether presentations comply or require further action, processes payments and bankers’ acceptances, coordinates resolution of discrepancies, and maintains accurate transaction records. It also supports sanctions screening and other compliance checks, follows AML/BSA and OFAC requirements, protects confidential information, and contributes to operational controls, audits, and process improvements. The role operates on a hybrid schedule. The Bank states that reasonable accommodations are available through a cooperative dialogue with employees who request them.

Requirements

At least five years of hands-on experience as a Documentary Examiner or in a comparable trade finance operations role, including 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 and collaborate effectively with internal teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with BankTrade or comparable trade finance and letter of credit processing platforms.
Experience handling import and export letters of credit and standby letter of credit presentations.
Experience preparing bankers’ acceptances and processing transactions involving 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.
Suggested 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 the credit’s terms and conditions.
Apply UCP 600, ISBP, and other applicable international trade finance rules when reviewing presentations.
Review commercial invoices, bills of lading, airway bills, packing lists, certificates of origin, insurance documents, inspection certificates, and other trade documentation.
Identify, analyze, and document discrepancies in descriptions, dates, amounts, shipment details, signatures, and other letter of credit requirements.
Determine whether presentations are compliant, require further review, or should be refused in accordance with 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, ensuring required documentation and approvals are obtained.
Review transaction instructions, verify deadlines, and monitor presentation, acceptance, maturity, and payment dates.
Obtain required internal approvals, customer authorizations, waivers, and payment instructions before processing transactions.
Prepare discrepancy notices, refusal notices, payment confirmations, and other transaction correspondence accurately and on time.
Coordinate with banks, beneficiaries, applicants, and other counterparties to resolve documentary issues and facilitate processing.
Conduct or coordinate sanctions screening and applicable compliance checks, and escalate potential sanctions, financial crime, fraud, or other compliance concerns.
Follow applicable AML, BSA, and OFAC requirements and ensure examination and payment decisions are supported by appropriate records and approvals.
Maintain awareness of changes to trade finance rules, banking regulations, and internal procedures.
Protect confidential customer and transaction information and follow operational risk and information security standards.
Maintain complete, accurate, and organized records of presentations, 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 dates.
Meet departmental service-level agreements, productivity targets, processing deadlines, and quality standards.
Identify opportunities to improve processing efficiency, documentation quality, and operational controls.
Support internal audits, compliance reviews, quality assurance testing, and other examinations.
Perform additional trade finance operations duties as assigned by management.