Job Description
At WSFS Bank, we empower our Associates to grow their careers, we guide our customers to secure their financial futures, and we actively support our Communities so they can fully thrive. Careers with WSFS Bank offer an inclusive and supportive culture, competitive salaries, opportunities to advance, and more. We are the premiere, locally headquartered bank and wealth management company in the region and are honored to consistently be named a Top Workplace by our Associates, who make a difference every day for the people, businesses, and Communities we serve. We Stand For Service® is more than part of our name, it’s our mission and our purpose.
The Senior Trade Finance Associate will contribute to the development and execution of the Trade Finance line of business as a key component of the overall international services value proposition at WSFS Bank. This role will enable the organization to deliver the full complement of Trade Finance products and services by providing superior service to both internal and external customers. The incumbent will be responsible for developing, structuring, and executing solutions for prospects and clients by overseeing and supporting the origination, preparation, and administration of Documentary Letters of Credit and Documentary Collections. While this position will initially have a heavy focus on Standby Letters of Credit, it is expected that the individual filling this role can also work with Commercial Letters of Credit as well as documentary Collections.
Job Responsibilities:
- Assist clients and Relationship Managers in product advisory and execution whilst liaising with operations.
- Execute complex, multi-party, international transactions from inception to completion.
- Serve in an advisory capacity to bank customers anticipating or undertaking international trade with respect to standard practices, methods of payment/collection and required import/export and standby letter of credit documentation.
- Anticipate and identify potential risks with regard to deal structuring, documentation, transaction geography, and in-country political climates.
- Monitor and negotiate optimal retail pricing levels with customers as well as Reports regularly to the Standby Letter of Credit Manager on the progress, potential, risks and optimization of the organization’s opportunity with trade finance and letter of credit services.
- Demonstrate leadership and resourcefulness in all interactions with employees, colleagues and internal and external customers.
- Be capable of training less experienced team members as well as coach clients and relationship managers through trade finance transactions.
- Maintain continuous education through seminars, web events and industry conferences to stay abreast of ever-changing industry products, strategies, trends, and regulation.
- Serves as liaison with external and internal customers to increase awareness of the Trade Finance product offering and ensure understanding of the intricacies and complexities of those products.
- Works with external customers to minimize transaction risk by serving in a consultative role in recommending the appropriate Trade Finance product and deal structuring whenever possible.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline with 3 years or more experience in the field preferred.
- Must have experience in letter of credit structuring, international banking, working capital, cross border supply chain optimization, and/or any related industry designations desired.
- Must be very knowledgeable about all aspects of Standby and Commercial Letters of Credit as well as Documentary Collections.
- Must have knowledge and understanding of trade finance and letter of credit products sold by a financial institution.
- Must have strong knowledge of Commercial and Standby Letters of Credit related governing rules, regulations, and standards.
- Must have the ability to work with other banks in either an upstream or downstream Correspondent Banking role.
- Must have experience with Microsoft Office Products Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.
- Must have a strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to see and explain the big picture.
- Must have ability to explain complex products simply, with an emphasis to always outline the risks, opportunities, constraints, and flexibility of those offerings.
- Must have strong communication skills, capable of representing the Capital Markets department in various forums.
- Must have outstanding interpersonal skills and flexibility to work with co-workers at all levels throughout the organization.
WSFS Bank is inclusive and supportive of individual needs. If you have a physical or other impairment that might require an accommodation, including technical assistance with the WSFS Bank Careers website or submission process, please contact us via email at careers@wsfsbank.com.
WSFS is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.