Trade Finance Operations 6-9 Months FTC

Company Overview

Crown Agents Bank is a vastly growing and regulated UK bank that connects emerging and frontier markets to the rest of the world using FX and payments technology. We are transforming the way payments and FX move through emerging markets, reducing friction so that more money gets to those who need it. Emerging market payments are usually challenging, expensive, unreliable and opaque. Our solutions help fix these pain points. Ultimately, we connect traditionally hard‑to‑reach regions to global financial infrastructure, giving access to the best prices and the fastest, most reliable settlement.

Job Purpose

Trade Finance Operations – Join our high‑growth team driving global trade solutions. We are expanding our Trade Finance Operations Team and seeking a temp for 6–9 months passionate about international trade and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Full lifecycle of Trade Finance instruments – spanning both primary and secondary markets, with a comprehensive product suite.
• End‑to‑end processing and management of loans, from initiation to closure, ensuring documentation is complete and compliant with internal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate client and loan‑related data in internal systems, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Perform day‑to‑day tasks related to loan drawdowns, repayments, rollovers, rate fixing, and fee management, particularly for syndicated loans.
• Monitor loan portfolios, processing payments and ensuring overdue balances, fees, and charges are followed up in line with bank policy.
• Hands‑on expertise in forfaiting and execution of syndicated loan transactions with emphasis on effective risk distribution.
• Evaluate, process, and systematically maintain documentation related to risk participation and loan facilities.
• Draft and review offer and acceptances in accordance with Master Risk Participation Agreements (MRPA) for executing secondary market loan transactions.
• Process export Letters of Credit (L/C) and guarantees, ensuring accurate and timely execution throughout the entire lifecycle.
• Conduct thorough document examinations (first and second checks) to verify compliance and highlight discrepancies.
• Process reimbursement claims and ensure timely settlement of payments related to trade transactions.
• Respond efficiently to internal and external inquiries, providing clear and professional support.
• Proactively optimize team workflows, supporting comprehensive audit trails and meticulous record‑keeping practices.
• Prepare and update management information (MI) reports accurately.
• Apply thorough understanding of trade‑based money laundering risks, recognise potential red flags and appropriately raise suspicious transactions as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Extensive and well‑rounded knowledge of trade finance products, focusing on bilateral trade loans, syndications, risk participations, and forfaiting.
• Strong understanding of relevant ICC rules: URF 800 (Uniform Rules for Forfaiting), UCP600 (Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits), URDG 758 (Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees), URR 725 (Bank‑to‑Bank Reimbursements under Documentary Credits), ISBP 745 (International Standard Banking Practice), ISP98 (International Standby Practices).
• Minimum of 5 years proven experience in banking, with focus on trade bilateral loans, syndicated loan products, risk distribution (sales/credit insurance) and forfaiting.
• Strong awareness of trade‑based money laundering risks; capable of identifying potential red flags and escalating suspicious transactions. Experience performing Financial Crime Compliance checks as first line of defence for trade finance instruments.
• Solid understanding of Letters of Credit, SBLCs, Guarantees, and Forfaiting.
• French language would be an advantage.
• Stays up to date with compliance regulations, including money laundering, whistleblowing, anti‑bribery and corruption and conduct rules, and takes responsibility for raising concerns in line with company policies.
• Project management skills; efficient work management and deadline met; identifies impact across others; deals effectively with pressure and setbacks.

Benefits

• Hybrid working.
• Contributory personal pension plan – 2% employee, 7% employer, employer matches 1% increments up to 5% employee and 10% employer.
• Life assurance – 4 times annual salary.
• Group income protection.
• Private medical insurance – cover for partner and or children at company cost, includes optical, dental and audiology.
• Discretionary bonus.
• Competitive annual leave.
• 2 volunteering days.
• Benefit Hub.