How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should visit the application link provided on this page to submit their application.
Show You Can Grow Trade Finance Without Stretching Risk
This role sits at the intersection of sales, structuring, and risk. The hiring team will be looking for proof that you can grow the trade finance book while keeping portfolio quality intact and staying ahead of regulatory and TBML requirements.
1. Quantify your portfolio growth: On your CV, show specific numbers: how much you grew the trade finance portfolio, revenue increases, and client acquisition counts. For example, 'grew trade finance portfolio by 25% in two years' is far stronger than 'responsible for portfolio growth.'
2. Prepare a deal sheet: List 3-5 trade finance transactions you structured, including the product (LC, guarantees, supply chain finance), deal size, and how you managed risk. Be ready to walk through the credit approval process and how you collaborated with Credit and Risk teams.
3. Demonstrate regulatory fluency: Expect questions on TBML, KYC, and sanctions compliance. Brush up on recent regulatory changes and be ready to cite examples of how you ensured compliance in past roles.
4. Show cross-functional leadership: This role requires working with Business, Credit, Risk, and Product teams. Prepare examples of how you influenced these stakeholders to get deals done while managing risk.
5. Know the market: Research the bank's trade finance offerings and recent developments. Be ready to discuss market trends, competitor moves, and emerging customer needs in the Kenyan and regional trade finance space.
6. Structure your story around strategy: The role includes developing and implementing the trade finance strategy. Have a clear narrative on how you've contributed to strategy in the past, and what you'd do in the first 90 days in this role.
7. Prepare for case questions: You may be asked to structure a trade finance solution for a hypothetical client. Practice structuring deals for different sectors (e.g., importers, exporters, manufacturers) and be ready to discuss fees, risk mitigation, and regulatory considerations.
8. Ask sharp questions: At the interview, ask about the bank's trade finance priorities, portfolio composition, and how success is measured. This shows you're thinking about the role strategically and helps you assess fit.