Guarantees Officer (Trade Finance) - Banking

West End based bank is seeking well experienced Guarantees Officer to join their expanding Trade Services department. You will be joining a full team of 10 trade finance experts who are dealing with end to end processing including opening, amending and administering of guarantee trade facilities - Bid Bonds, Performance Bonds, Advance Payments etc. The bank offers hybrid working and is looking for someone with at least 5 years + guarantees experience.

Job Purpose:

The role of Guarantees Officer is to ensure that, under any necessary guidance from the Deputy Head of Trade, all aspects of the guarantees process across all Branches are handled in line with agreed SLA’s to ensure that customer service standards are met and the smooth running of the section.

Duties:

• Ensure that instructions from customers/branches of our Group and other banks regarding all aspects of guarantees are implemented within agreed turnaround times and are without errors.
• Ensure that copies of Guarantees issued are sentto customers/AB Branches and other banks and relative charges are collected/claimed promptly.
• Approve release of transactions on PC and sign hard copies where necessary at the request of the Senior Trade Services Officer or Deputy Head of Trade Services.
• Prioritise work in order to meet the urgency of customers’ requests as directed by the Senior Trade Services Officer or Deputy Head of Trade Services.
• Action all queries efficiently or refer these to the Senior Trade Services Officer as soon as they are received.
• Share responsibility for clearing outstanding reconciliation items in respect of Guarantees and any other items relating to Trade Services.
• Ensure that month end balancing of guarantees and commission accounts are done promptly
• Assist with any other Trade Services related roles as required by the Senior Trade Services Officer or Deputy Head of Trade Services.
• Deputise for the Senior Trade Services Officer - Guarantees in their absence.

Risk & Regulatory Duties

• Maintain knowledge of all applicable regulatory requirements including the Bank’s Risk and Compliance policies and procedures and adhere to these.
• Report policy, procedure and/or regulatory breaches or suspicions to Deputy Head or Head of Trade Services.
• Accurately execute all controls withinown area to minimise risk of policy, procedure, and/or regulatory breaches.
• Identify any new risks/control gaps within own area and escalate accordingly to your Line Manager and/orHead of Trade Services.

Financial Crime

• Act as the "First Line of Defence".
• Responsible for the accurate execution of Financial Crime Prevention controls in accordance with the Bank's and Departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure Due Diligence/Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is carried out, where applicable, on all parties to the Trade transactions and maintain appropriate records
• Be vigilant to unusual or suspicious transactions and report any suspicions to the MLRO.
• Ensure adherence to the Bank’sAML, Financial Crimeand Anti-Terrorism policies and procedures.

Training & Competence

• Maintain working knowledge of URDG
• Complete all annual mandatory regulatory training as per the Bank's trainingplans and deadlines.
• Proactively seek to complete recommended technical and behavioural competencies training requiredfor your role.

Conduct

• Act in accordance with the FCA/PRA Code of Conduct.

Business Continuity

• Fulfil all prescribed business continuity requirements as set out in the organisational or departmental specific plans or as instructed by the line manager/Head of Department.