Trade Finance Supply Chain

RICHARD NAOUM

*** *** *** ******, ******-Dorothée (Laval), H7X 3K7, Canada

Tel: 438-***-**** Email: **************@*****.***

TRADE FINANCE MANAGER

** ***** ** ********** ** trade finance operations. Proficient in structuring complex trade finance solutions. Expertise in Letters of Credit, Documentary Collections, Guarantees, Supply Chain Finance, and Commodity Finance. Strong track record in risk management, compliance, and client relationship management. Proven ability to navigate evolving trade finance landscape and leverage technology to enhance efficiency and optimize processes.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AREAS

International Trade Finance Instruments:

Structured Trade Finance: structuring complex trade finance solutions and supply chain finance.

Letters of Credit (LCs): Understanding different types of LCs and their components.

Documentary Collections: Knowledge of various collection methods and associated risks.

Bank Guarantees & Standby LCs: Understanding the mechanics and risk management aspects.

Forfaiting and Discounting: Knowledge of these techniques for financing export receivables.

International Trade Regulations:

Incoterms: Understanding International Commercial Terms & implications for risk & responsibility.

UCP 600: Knowledge of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits.

ISBP: Understanding the International Standard Banking Practice for Documentary Credits.

Customs Regulations: Familiarity with customs procedures, tariffs, and import/export regulations.

Risk Management:

Credit Risk: Assessing the creditworthiness of counterparties.

Country Risk: Evaluating the political and economic risks of different countries.

Currency Risk: Managing foreign exchange risk exposures.

Operational Risk: Identifying and mitigating operational risks in trade finance processes.

Financial Analysis and Reporting:

Financial Statements Analysis: assessment of counterparties financial health.

Risk Assessment: Evaluating the risk profile of transactions.

Regulatory Reporting: Adhering to regulatory requirements and reporting obligations.

Banking Operations and Technology:

Trade Finance Systems: Familiarity with trade finance software and systems.

Banking Operations: Understanding banking processes and procedures.

SWIFT: Knowledge of SWIFT messaging standards and their application in trade finance.

Legal and Contractual Knowledge:

Contract Law: Understanding contract law principles and their application to trade finance contracts.

International Law: Familiarity with international legal frameworks relevant to trade finance.

Soft Skills:

Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication.

Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate terms and conditions with clients and banks.

Problem-Solving Skills: Identifying and resolving issues related to trade finance transactions.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Head of Trade Finance 2012-2024

Bank of Beirut

Business Development and Relationship Management:

Identify and acquire new trade finance clients: Prospect for potential clients, build relationships with existing clients, and understand their trade finance needs.

Develop and implement sales strategies: Create and execute targeted sales strategies to increase market share and revenue.

Build strong relationships with clients and partners: Maintain regular communication with clients, address their concerns, and proactively offer solutions.

Collaborate with other departments: Work closely with relationship managers, credit officers, and operations teams to ensure seamless delivery of trade finance solutions.

Product Management and Structuring:

Develop and launch new trade finance products: Identify market gaps and develop innovative products to meet client needs.

Structure complex trade finance deals: Design tailored solutions for clients, including letters of credit, guarantees, documentary credits, and trade loans.

Manage product lifecycle: Monitor product performance, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments.

Stay updated on industry trends and regulations: Keep abreast of the latest developments in trade finance and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Risk Management and Compliance:

Assess and mitigate credit and operational risks: Conduct thorough risk assessments and implement appropriate risk management controls.

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements: Adhere to local and international regulations, including KYC/AML and sanctions screening.

Monitor and manage credit exposures: Regularly review credit limits and exposure limits to minimize potential losses.

Conduct regular reviews of trade finance processes: Identify areas for improvement and implement best practices.

Operations and Execution:

Oversee the smooth execution of trade finance transactions: Ensure timely processing of transactions, including document review, payment instructions, and settlement.

Monitor transaction performance and resolve issues: Identify and address any operational bottlenecks or exceptions.

Manage trade finance operations team: Provide guidance and support to the team, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of transactions.

Implement and maintain trade finance systems and tools: Utilize technology to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Financial Management and Reporting:

Monitor and manage trade finance portfolio performance: Track key metrics such as revenue, profitability, and risk ratios.

Prepare regular reports on trade finance activities: Provide insights into business performance and identify trends.

Contribute to the development of the bank's overall trade finance strategy: Align the trade finance business with the bank's strategic objectives.

Manage budgets and control costs: Ensure efficient allocation of resources and cost optimization.

Additional Responsibilities:

Provide training and guidance to team members: Develop the skills and knowledge of the trade finance team.

Represent the bank at industry events and conferences: Network with industry professionals and promote the bank's trade finance capabilities.

Stay updated on market trends and economic conditions: Analyze market trends to identify opportunities and risks.

Contribute to the development of new business initiatives: Proactively seek out new opportunities to expand the bank's trade finance business.

Trade Finance – Senior Officer

1998-2011

LCB Bank S.a.l/ SGBL, Beirut, Lebanon

Trade Finance Product Knowledge:

oPossess a deep understanding of various trade finance products, including letters of credit, documentary collections, export credit insurance, and factoring.

oStay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices.

Product Development:

oContribute to the development of new trade finance products and services to meet evolving client needs.

oStay informed about industry best practices and innovations.

Transaction Processing:

oProcess trade finance transactions efficiently and accurately, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

oManage documentation, including bills of lading, invoices, and insurance certificates.

oMonitor transaction progress and resolve any issues that may arise

Client Relationship Management:

oEstablish and maintain strong relationships with clients, primarily importers and exporters.

oIdentify and assess their trade finance needs.

oProvide tailored solutions and advice to support their business objectives.

oImplement effective contact and relationship building strategies, that accelerate new client acquisition and retention in your local community

Product Sales:

oPromote and sell a range of banking products, including savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment products.

oEducate clients on the benefits and features of different products.

oCross-sell products to maximize revenue for the bank.

Customer Service:

oResolve customer inquiries and complaints in a timely and professional manner.

oEnsure that clients receive exceptional service and satisfaction.

oMaintain up-to-date knowledge of banking products and services.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

oEvaluate the creditworthiness of clients and assess the risk associated with each transaction.

oImplement risk mitigation strategies to protect the bank's interests.

oMonitor market conditions and identify potential risks.

oCollaborate with market-leading professionals in financial planning, retirement planning, mortgages, and business banking experts to ensure clients receive customized and relevant expert advice

Regulatory Compliance:

oEnsure compliance with all relevant trade finance regulations, including those related to anti-money laundering, sanctions, and export controls.

oMaintain accurate records and documentation for audit purposes

o

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

M.B.A., Banking & Finance, 2002, University of Holy Spirit Kaslik, Lebanon.

First Degree Honors in Business Administration, 1997 University of Holy Spirit Kaslik, Lebanon.

B.A in Business Administration, 1996, University of Holy Spirit, Lebanon

Microsoft Certificate of Excellence, Administering Windows NT 4.0.

Documentary Credits Advanced Level, 1999, Lebanon Association of Banks, Lebanon.

Special Cases in Documentary Credits, 1999, Lebanon, Association of Banks/Institute of Financial Services (UK), Lebanon.

Documentary Credits Settlement Methods and Documents, 2002, Institute of Financial Services, Lebanon.

Different Cases in Issuing Letters of Guarantee, 2001, Institute of Financial Services, Lebanon.

Analysis of Special Documentary Credits, 2003, Union of Arab Banks, Lebanon.

International Fraud in Documentary Credits, 2004, Lebanon Association of Banks, Lebanon.

Risk Issues In Documentary Credits Transactions, 2009, Lebanon Association of Banks, Lebanon.

UCP 600 & URR 725, 2009, Lebanon, Association of Banks, Lebanon.

Incoterms 2010 ICC publication 715E, 2010, Lebanon Association of Banks, Lebanon.

International Guarantees URDG 758, 2010, Banking & Financial Institute, Lebanon.

The New ISBP, 2012, Bank of Beirut, Lebanon.

European Financial Forum, 2014, KBC, Belgium.

The Secrets to Great Supervisors, 2017, TRACE, Lebanon.

Negotiation Skills, 2018, Scottwork, Lebanon.

EBRD Training Seminar, 2019, Lebanon.

Incoterms 2020 Seminar, 2019, Banking & Financial Institute, Lebanon.

Certified Trainer by Dale Carnegie, 2017, Carnegie, Lebanon.

IT SKILLS

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook)

Temenos T24 Banking System

LANGUAGES

Perfectly Fluent in ENGLISH & FRENCH

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