Associate, Trade Finance

I&M Bank Kenya Limited is a financial institution founded in 1974, offering a comprehensive range of banking and financial services.

The Associate, Trade Finance is responsible for processing a wide array of export and import trade finance products, including Commercial Letters of Credit, Standby Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, Documentary and Clean Collections, Avalized Bills, Bill Discounting, Supply Chain Finance, Oil & Gas collateral Finance (CFA), and Financial Institution remittances. This role ensures all transactions adhere to I&M Bank's internal policies, CBK prudential guidelines, and international trade practices. The position also focuses on delivering timely and efficient customer service and generating revenue, while actively preventing money laundering, potential litigations, and financial losses for the bank.

1. Review incoming instructions for validity and compliance with bank and international trade guidelines, liaising with customers for clarity and complete applications.
2. Conduct Trade Finance compliance and due diligence checks, escalating issues to management when necessary.
3. Coordinate with Relationship Managers, Credit Administration, legal department, and Treasury to facilitate transaction processing, including seeking approvals and marking limits.
4. Draft, initiate, and amend various types of Letters of Credit (Export, Import, Back-to-Back), consulting with customers on wording and terms.
5. Draft, initiate, and amend all types of Guarantees (Bid Bonds, Performance, Payment) and Standby Letters of Credit.
6. Process and release documentary Collections (Import, Export, Avalization) to clients.
7. Handle outward foreign cheques, including sorting, compliance checks, dispatch to correspondent banks, and processing inward foreign cheques.
8. Receive, confirm, and process Supply Chain Finance instructions (discounting and/or distributor finance) and other bill discounting.
9. Lodge and accept Bills (Collection and LC), communicating acceptance to Correspondent Banks.
10. Process bill payments on due dates or as per customer instructions, coordinating with Business Development and Treasury.
11. Serve as a primary contact for trade finance inquiries, providing advice to both external clients and internal bank staff.
12. Manage correspondence with counterparty banks, initiating and responding to queries.
13. Confirm guarantees issued to external parties, such as government bodies and large corporations.
14. Prepare and share reports on outstanding liabilities with internal and external customers.
15. Monitor Nostro Statements for reconciliation and clear outstanding trade-related items.
16. Identify and escalate potential red flags related to compliance, AML, and sanctions, advising the line manager on Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA).
17. Report any risk events within specified timeframes.
18. Ensure the safe keeping of client shipping documents in fireproof cabinets.
19. Follow up with customers for duly executed Bills of Exchange and indemnities for secure storage.
20. Conduct weekly reviews of outstanding liabilities and notify relevant stakeholders (customers, Business Development, Credit) promptly.
21. Formally notify customers and/or correspondent banks of overdue payments and close bills within set timelines.
22. Print and call back daily journals.

1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field from a recognized institution.
2. Possess any basic professional qualification and certification related to Trade Finance.
3. Have at least 1-3 years of relevant professional experience in processing trade products.
4. Demonstrate integrity and strong risk awareness.
5. Exhibit a client-focused approach.
6. Possess strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
7. Have effective planning skills.
8. Be capable of working with minimal supervision.
9. Show a basic understanding of domestic and international trade rules and practices.
10. Have a satisfactory understanding of sanctions lists, including UN, EU, and domestic sanctions.
11. Possess basic knowledge of professional and industry standards, bank policies, and international rules such as UCP, ISP, ISBP, URDG, and URR.