Manager, Middle Office - Trade Finance in City of London

This role within the Middle Office is responsible for executing day-to-day operational activities across Credit Administration, Loan Operations, Payments, Trade Finance, KYC, and Global Markets Operations. The role ensures tasks are completed accurately, in compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements, and within agreed service timelines. They would also provide subject-matter expertise and support within their area and contribute to ongoing process improvements.

The primary purpose of this role is to support Trade Finance activities; however, this role holder will also be expected to assist with other Middle Office functions as required to support business needs. The role will perform Middle Office activities supporting Trade Finance transaction processing, including but not limited to: Documentary Credits; Documentary Collections; Standby Letters of Credit; Bonds and Guarantees; Discounting of Bills of Exchange; and Funded products, on behalf of internal and external customers, ensuring that FAB UK complies with all applicable UK regulatory requirements, as well as London Branch and Group Anti Financial Crime policies and standards. The role will also support the oversight of the Hub team located at Head Office to ensure effective delivery, quality, and alignment with Branch requirements.

Key Accountabilities:

• The primary accountability of this role is to perform day-to-day processing, conducting TFO activities.
• The role will also maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with policies as well as identify and escalate issues or discrepancies.
• In addition, the role operates within the broader Middle Office framework and may contribute to other workstreams in line with capacity and business priorities.

Onboarding & KYC

• Function as local point of contact for client onboarding and periodic KYC reviews.
• Oversee documentation collection, scanning, and custody processes.
• Support regulatory communication and ensure high-risk and QA reviews are conducted per local standards.
• Coordinate with Front Office and HO KYC teams to resolve outstanding cases and streamline hand-offs.

GTB Trade Operations

• Supervise trade documentation checks and application registration.
• Ensure initial facility and T&C checks are performed accurately.
• Review transactions for workability / Document conformity.
• Perform Transactional Due Diligence.
• Seek approvals.
• Review QA/sampling controls for trade submissions.
• Maintain proactive engagement with clients and RMs for trade-related matters.

Loans Middle Office

• Liaise with solicitors, valuers, and brokers as needed.
• Transaction management and coordination of new and amended loans from Credit Approval to Drawdown.
• Timely communication with Front Office staff and other stakeholders.

Credit Administration (CAD)

• Manage preparation and execution of credit/security documentation and ensure limit activation.
• Ensure proper recording, scanning, and safekeeping of security documents.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and auditors to resolve CAD-related matters.
• Oversee issuance of loan summaries, updates to KAIs, and other regulatory or ad hoc requests.

Lending Operations

• Supervise lending documentation, custody, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Ensure prompt coordination with Back Office teams for correct loan settlements, repayments, and fee processing.
• Function as key contact for Front Office and clients for all loan servicing queries.

Governance & Control

• Ensure adherence to FAB policies, internal control frameworks, and local regulatory standards.
• Maintain operational risk oversight through proper record keeping, QA checks, and monitoring.
• Drive process improvements and take part in automation and transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Coverage, Product, Risk, Compliance, and Back Office teams in Head Office.
• Function as liaison with HO for system and process enhancements under the International MO Blueprint.
• Ensure consistent communication and reporting to senior management.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Trade Qualifications (e.g. CDCS / CSDG / URDG Masters).
• 3-5 years’ experience in banking operations with at least 3+ years in Trade Finance Operations.
• Good understanding of banking products offered by FAB UK, particularly Trade Finance products.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• A good understanding of all Trade Finance products (Guarantees / SBLCs / LCs / Receivables Finance etc.) and all aspects of international trade operations.
• Good understanding of the latest version of UCP and ISBP for the examination of documents.
• Good understanding of the latest version of URDG and ISP and how a guarantee/SBLC could/should be structured.
• Clear understanding of risks posed within Trade Finance products.
• Good understanding of requirements in respect of Compliance/AML/Sanctions.
• The ability to pick up and investigate potential red-flags, review for potential dual use goods and escalate/obtain approvals where required.
• Familiar with Banking Products / Corporate Credit Administration functions.
• Easily adaptable and capable of dealing with change as the environment is robust and constantly evolving.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with good presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of accounting, balance sheet, profit and loss statements.
• Good knowledge of Banking sector, client’s sectors, industries and market trends.
• Capable to organize the workload, meet deadlines and to work under pressure.
• Effectively manage key stakeholders and business expectations.
• Timely response to service and support requests, queries and escalations.
• Stay abreast of latest developing concepts, new regulations and Group Credit guidelines.