Trade Finance Officer

Premier Bank Kenya Limited is a financial institution founded in 2023, operating in the banking and financial services sector. The bank's main location is Nairobi, Kenya.

The Trade Finance Officer is responsible for the accurate and efficient processing and verification of diverse trade transactions for Premier Bank's customers, ensuring full compliance with all applicable procedures, rules, policies, and agreed service standards. This role also entails assisting the bank's business centers and clients in managing both outward and inward payments, as well as maintaining the daily bookkeeping for the Treasury Front Office operations. The officer will play a crucial part in ensuring smooth financial operations and adherence to regulatory guidelines within the trade finance department.

1. Reconcile suspense and CIT accounts for EURO, USD, and KES.
2. Scrutinize entries and balance accounts daily.
3. Query branches regarding outstanding entries.
4. Post or reverse incorrect entries in IMAL.
5. Ensure daily zero balance for suspense and CIT accounts, with proper checking, verification, and authorization.
6. Maintain deal tickets in the Islamic treasury module.
7. Manage payment and receiving instructions for Forex and investment deals.
8. Prepare settlement instructions for placements.
9. Generate SWIFT confirmations for relevant deals.
10. Confirm payment instructions are tested from receiving banks for SWIFT inward.
11. Verify cover presence in Nostro/CBK accounts for SWIFT inward.
12. Record all incoming RTGS/SWIFT transactions.
13. Convert funds using daily Treasury-advised rates.
14. Credit customer accounts via the IMAL accounting module.
15. Print scanned instructions from branches for SWIFT outward.
16. Verify application forms are signed by authorized signatories.
17. Confirm cover presence in the Head Office GENERAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT.
18. Record all outgoing RTGS/SWIFT transactions.
19. Pass appropriate entries in the IMAL accounting module.
20. Input all messages into the SWIFT system.
21. Timely send SWIFT/RTGS confirmations to branches.
22. Prepare Letters of Guarantees as received from branches and record them for authorized signatories.
23. Ensure all necessary documentation is in place before releasing guarantees.
24. Assist branches with requirements and current trade finance tariffs.
25. Book and collect charges for all trade finance products in iMAL.
26. Input LCs into Swift and send to respective banks.
27. Advise customers on amendments, queries, and required LC documentation.
28. Prepare various daily and monthly Foreign Exchange returns for CBK.
29. Prepare weekly TFA reports.
30. Complete any other reports as required by management.
31. Perform any other duties assigned by management.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Finance or a Business-related specialization.
2. Minimum of 2 years of experience in Banking Operations.
3. Exposure to processing SWIFT, RTGS, and EFTs is an advantage.
4. Knowledge of Operations, particularly KYC and AML.
5. Strong negotiation and commercial skills.
6. Ability to meet strict deadlines for assignments, operations, and regulatory submissions.
7. High sense of accuracy and attention to detail.
8. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
9. Strong work ethic with a passion for delivering excellent customer service.
10. Good public relations and interpersonal skills.
11. Outstanding reporting skills, problem analysis, and listening ability.
12. Honest and possessing high integrity.
13. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet, and email.
14. Enthusiastic, results-oriented personality with excellent communication and social skills.
15. A forward planner with clear focus, mature, reliable, hardworking, and capable of working without supervision.
16. Sound knowledge of the Bank’s products and services, and CBK Prudential Guidelines.
17. Sound knowledge of Money Markets, foreign exchange, and treasury management systems.