Trade & Working Capital Finance Origination in London

Crown Agents Bank is a regulated UK bank that connects emerging and frontier markets to the rest of the world, using FX and payments technology. We transform the way payments and FX move through emerging markets, reducing friction so that more money reaches those who need it. Our solutions help fix pain points in emerging markets, connecting hard-to-reach regions to global financial infrastructure with access to the best prices and fastest, most reliable settlement.

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

Role Purpose

Integrated within the Trade & Working Capital Finance business unit, this role focuses on the active and entrepreneurial origination of Trade & Working Capital Finance facilities from the bank's clients with the goal of maximizing share of wallet and value, on a risk-adjusted total return basis, and producing a significant impact in the bank's expansion strategy. This role has the potential for significant travel.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the entire trade finance origination process from client meeting to execution of legal documents and facility booking, monitoring and follow-up, in close collaboration with coverage bankers.
• Contact and meet clients in a product specialist capacity as directed, to understand their business cycles and Trade (& Working Capital) Finance requirements.
• Produce and implement client and counterparty call, visit and product sales strategy plans.
• Create, maintain and manage product sales pipelines.
• Lead strong client-centric state-of-the-art product pitches.
• Contribute to the onboarding of Trade (& Working Capital) Finance clients in full alignment with coverage bankers.
• Champion the production of business and credit papers and their presentation to relevant committees, in collaboration with coverage bankers.
• Create and negotiate Trade (& Working Capital) Finance term sheets to clients and other market counterparties.
• Manage the execution and delivery of facilities and transactions once all internal approvals are in place, including liaising with internal and external stakeholders.

Other responsibilities:

• Strictly adhere to all regulatory, statutory and audit norms relating to the function.
• Be instrumental to obtain and retain optimal client satisfaction and deliver strong customer services.
• Coordinate and assume responsibility for compiling and communicating to all stakeholders on a regular basis information relevant to portfolio.
• Actively participate in product development and pricing strategies, assisting with their bank-wide implementation.
• Support the launching of new initiatives and products.
• Actively engage with other key internal and external stakeholders in fostering cross-sell opportunities and embracing clients' FX and payments flows.
• Actively engage with coverage bankers, other product sales staff, operations, credit, legal and other stakeholders in promoting Trade Finance product awareness.
• Play a key part in consolidating and expanding Crown Agents Bank as an award-winning name in the Trade Finance industry.
• Be an active participant in important marketing events, conferences, etc. Be prepared to engage as a public speaker when required to do so.

Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Languages: fluency in English. Additional languages are a requisite, particularly French.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar role (preferably with emerging markets exposure).
• Very good knowledge of the Trade & Working Capital Finance industry in its entirety, and of the full Trade & Working Capital Finance product suite (especially letters of credit, guarantees and refinancing loans).
• Very good knowledge of executing Trade & Working Capital Finance facilities for client financial institutions, predominantly in emerging markets.
• Relevant experience in originating Trade & Working Capital Finance from financial institutions in emerging markets (Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Emerging Asia/Pacific).

Other:

• Education: graduate degree in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of banking operations/SWIFT etc.
• Ability to use entrepreneurship and initiative at all times and at all levels.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization both internally & externally.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation/public speaking and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and under tight KPIs and deadlines.

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 – 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.