Trade Finance Analyst

Job Title: Senior Trade Finance Analyst (U.S. Banking Industry)

Location: Remote

Job Type: Contract

Job Summary: The Senior Trade Finance Analyst plays a crucial role in a bank's trade finance team, leveraging advanced analytics and deep industry expertise to optimize international trade operations. In this senior position, you will analyze trade finance products (such as letters of credit, guarantees, documentary collections, and supply chain finance arrangements) and provide data-driven insights to support strategic business decisions. A key part of the role is utilizing SAS Viya and other analytical tools for data modeling, forecasting, reporting, and visualization of trade finance portfolios, thereby identifying trends and opportunities for process improvement. You will also serve as a bridge between front-office, operations, and compliance teams ensuring that trade finance activities are efficient, profitable, and in strict compliance with all relevant regulations (e.g. UCP 600, OFAC sanctions, **AML/BSA guidelines). As a senior analyst, you are expected to mentor junior staff and champion best practices in trade finance analytics and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Data Analysis & Reporting: Leverage SAS Viya and other analytics platforms to analyze large sets of trade finance data, building predictive models and dashboards that inform business strategy. Provide regular reporting on trade finance transaction volumes, client utilization, revenue, and risk metrics, presenting insights to senior management to guide decision-making and improve product offerings.
• Process Optimization: Review end-to-end trade finance operations to identify inefficiencies or risks in transaction processing. Work with technology partners and cross-functional teams to develop and implement process improvements and automation tools (e.g. optimizing SWIFT message workflows or internal trade finance platforms) that increase efficiency and accuracy. Participate in or lead projects to enhance systems (for example, implementing new SAS Viya analytics features or upgrading trade finance software) and champion a culture of continuous improvement.
• Trade Transaction Oversight: Oversee and analyze trade finance transactions and documentation including issuance/advising of letters of credit (LCs), guarantees, standby LCs, bills for collection, etc. for accuracy and compliance with international rules and standards. Ensure that each transaction adheres to ICC regulations (such as UCP 600 for documentary credits, ISP98 for standby LCs, URDG 758 for demand guarantees, and URC 522 for collections) and meets all terms agreed with customers. Identify and resolve discrepancies in trade documents, working with counterparties and banks to swiftly address any issues.
• Risk Management & Compliance: Conduct thorough risk assessments and compliance checks on trade finance transactions to guard against financial crime and regulatory violations. Monitor for any AML/CFT red flags or sanctions concerns in trade transactions, and escalate suspicious activities in line with Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) policies. Ensure strict adherence to U.S. and international regulatory frameworks including OFAC sanctions, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) export controls (e.g. anti-boycott regulations), and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidelines across all trade finance operations. You will maintain up-to-date knowledge of these regulations and perform ongoing compliance reviews so that the bank's trade products remain fully compliant.
• Business Support & Advisory: Provide expert trade finance advisory support to front-office and client-facing teams. Liaise daily with relationship managers, trade sales, and product teams to evaluate client requests and structure trade solutions (e.g. advising on the appropriate use of LCs vs. guarantees or supply chain finance programs). Use analytical findings to guide business decisions for instance, advising on pricing of trade products, optimizing credit limits, or targeting certain trade corridors and help develop strategies to grow the trade finance portfolio profitably.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a key liaison between the trade finance department and other internal units such as Operations, Credit Risk, Treasury, and Compliance. Coordinate with operations teams to ensure smooth and timely execution/settlement of transactions, and with compliance teams to implement robust controls and due diligence for trade finance deals. Work closely with IT and data teams to ensure the analytics infrastructure (SAS Viya dashboards, data feeds, etc.) is meeting business needs. You will also collaborate with external parties (correspondent banks, confirming banks, insurers) when needed to resolve issues and expedite trade transactions.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for trade finance operations such as turnaround times, transaction volumes, exception rates, and revenue margins and report on these to management. Prepare comprehensive internal reports and presentations on trade finance activity, highlighting trends, risks, and accomplishments. Ensure all required regulatory and compliance reports (e.g. related to trade-based money laundering or export finance) are completed accurately and submitted on time.
• Policy and Training: Contribute to the development and updating of trade finance policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect current regulations and best practices. As a senior expert, provide training and guidance to junior analysts and operations staff on trade finance products, ICC rules, and the bank's compliance expectations. You may lead workshops or prepare training materials on topics like effective document examination under UCP 600, usage of SAS analytics tools, or emerging risks in trade finance. By sharing knowledge, you help strengthen the overall capability of the team.

Required Skills

• Trade Finance Expertise:Deep understanding of trade finance instruments and practices is essential. This includes proficiency in letters of credit (both import and export), documentary collections (bills of exchange), bank guarantees/standby LCs, and emerging supply chain finance products. You should be well-versed in the ICC rules governing these instruments (e.g. UCP 600, ISP98, URDG 758, URC 522) and know how to apply them in daily operations. Familiarity with Incoterms and international shipping documents is expected, as these underpin trade transactions.
• Analytics & Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in SAS Viya is required you must be able to use SAS for advanced data modeling, forecasting, reporting and visualization tasks. Experience extracting and analyzing data with SQL and/or working knowledge of Python (or similar analytics programming) is highly desirable for this role. The ideal candidate can comfortably manipulate large datasets and create insightful reports or models (for example, forecasting trade finance revenue or default risks using SAS). In addition, expertise in MS Excel (for ad-hoc analysis) and familiarity with BI tools (PowerBI, Tableau) would be a plus.
• Trade Systems & Messaging: Hands-on experience with common trade finance platforms and tools is expected. This may include experience with trade finance processing systems (for issuing LCs, processing collections, etc.) and SWIFT messaging for international payments and trade messages. You should understand SWIFT MT message types relevant to trade (e.g., MT700/MT710 for L/C issuance/advice, MT760 for guarantees, MT103 for payments) and be able to navigate systems like SWIFT Alliance. Knowledge of digital trade platforms or initiatives (e.g. Bolero, Contour, blockchain trade pilots) is an advantage as banks modernize their trade operations.
• Regulatory & Compliance Skills: Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements in a trade finance context. You must be knowledgeable about sanctions compliance (OFAC), anti-money laundering laws (BSA/AML), export controls (BIS and anti-boycott regulations), and other relevant regulatory frameworks. The role requires vigilance in conducting compliance checks and risk assessments, so attention to detail and a risk-control mindset are critical. For instance, you should be able to spot red flags in trade transactions (unusual routing, dual-use goods, etc.) and take appropriate action.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities: Excellent analytical skills are a must including the ability to evaluate complex trade transactions, identify discrepancies or inefficiencies, and devise solutions. You should be adept at data analysis and interpretation, capable of translating raw data into actionable insights for the business. A knack for problem-solving in high-pressure situations (e.g., resolving a documentation issue under a tight shipment deadline) will serve you well in this role.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills are required to succeed as a senior analyst. You must be able to write clear, concise reports and present findings or recommendations to stakeholders at various levels. Equally important is the ability to communicate technical or regulatory information in an understandable way to non-specialists (for example, explaining an analytical model's results or a compliance requirement to front-line business teams). Being a team player with excellent interpersonal skills is vital, as this role involves constant coordination with multiple departments and external partners. Relationship management skills in dealing with clients, correspondent banks, and internal teams will help ensure smooth collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Detail Orientation & Organization: Given the complexity of trade transactions and regulatory scrutiny, attention to detail is paramount. The analyst should maintain meticulous records of analyses, decisions, and compliance checks. Strong organizational and time-management skills are needed to juggle multiple transactions and projects simultaneously, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. You should be able to prioritize tasks effectively, especially when facing tight timelines for transaction processing or report submissions.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree (at minimum) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related field is required. A master's degree (MBA or MS in Finance/Economics) or relevant postgraduate qualification is a plus and may substitute for some experience. A strong academic foundation in finance and international business will enable the analyst to understand complex trade finance concepts and financial analysis techniques.
• Certifications: Professional certifications related to trade finance or finance are highly preferred. In particular, the Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS) certification is a notable asset, as it affirms expertise in letters of credit practice. Other relevant credentials could include Certified International Trade Finance (CITF) or Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC). Given the analytical nature of the role, certifications in analytics (e.g., SAS certification programs for SAS Viya or data science certificates) would strengthen a candidate's profile. Additionally, general finance certifications such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) can be advantageous, demonstrating strong analytical and ethical standards in finance.
• Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of international trade regulations and guidelines. The ideal candidate is well-versed in ICC publications (UCP 600, ISBP for document examination, ISP98, URDG 758, etc.) and stays current with any updates to these rules. Familiarity with U.S. regulatory agencies and requirements e.g. OFAC sanctions programs, U.S. Treasury/FinCEN advisories on trade-based money laundering, BIS export control licensing is essential. You should also understand relevant local regulations (if working with specific markets) and global regimes (such as AML directives, FATF recommendations) as they pertain to trade finance.
• Compliance & Risk Acumen: A proven track record of adhering to and implementing compliance and risk management practices. You should be able to cite experience performing compliance checks, audit preparation, or contributions to risk assessments in previous roles. An understanding of bank compliance processes (such as customer due diligence/KYC, screening tools, and suspicious activity reporting) is expected, since trade finance often intersects with these areas. Candidates who have undergone internal bank compliance training or have certifications like CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) would have an added advantage in handling the compliance duties of this role (though CAMS is not mandatory, it reflects well on one's commitment to combating financial crime).
• Other Qualifications: Must have U.S. work authorization (for U.S.-based role) and be able to pass background checks consistent with banking industry standards. The candidate should demonstrate a high level of integrity and ethical judgment, given the responsibility of handling sensitive financial transactions. Leadership qualities such as the ability to mentor junior staff and lead projects are desirable in a senior analyst and may be evaluated during the hiring process.

Preferred Experience

• Industry Experience:7 10 years of experience in trade finance or related roles within banks or financial institutions is typically required at the senior analyst level. This experience should include direct exposure to the operational side of trade finance (e.g. processing LCs or guarantees, handling trade loans or forfaiting, managing trade portfolio risk) as well as some involvement in analytical or strategic projects. Candidates with a background in trade operations who have moved into more analytical or risk-focused roles are ideal.
• Domain Expertise: Over the course of your experience, you should have developed deep domain expertise in trade finance. This means a nuanced understanding of how international trade transactions are executed and financed from front-end structuring (client proposals, pricing, credit approvals) to back-end processing (document checking, settlements, and problem resolution). Experience liaising with corporate clients on trade deals, or working in a trade operations center handling high volumes of transactions, will be valuable. An ideal candidate may have started as a Trade Finance Analyst or Document Checker and progressed into roles like Trade Finance Operations Team Lead or Trade Product Manager before attaining a senior analyst position.
• Analytical Project Experience: It is preferred that the candidate has a track record of using data analysis to improve business outcomes in trade finance. This could be demonstrated by projects such as: developing a new reporting dashboard for trade finance KPIs, analyzing portfolio data to identify risk concentrations or opportunities, streamlining a workflow that resulted in efficiency gains, or contributing to the implementation of an analytics platform (like SAS Viya) in a banking context. Experience working on cross-departmental initiatives (for example, a compliance project to enhance trade transaction screening, or a front-office project to digitalize trade finance offerings) will show an ability to apply expertise in different contexts.