Trade Finance Operations
With the arrival of many new global banks to the Middle East, regional and local banks now have to review their trade finance operations. For compliance purposes, new procedures need to be set and existing policies must be revised and adjusted where applicable. Quantitative scoring systems used for evaluating confirmation requests, together with the trade finance automated system need to be revisited and amended where necessary.
From an operational banking rather than legal perspective, the bottom line will be achieving peak performance at low risk levels. This is the natural consequence of two vital elements in the operational management process; i. sound strategic planning, and ii. adopting international standard banking practice into day to day routine operations. The second element entails the placement of a whole integrated system of operations that includes, amongst other components, procedural controls based on a full set of management instructions operative within a carefully engineered department set to achieve optimal operational efficiency whilst directing resources towards providing exemplary customer service and business development. Hence, management of operations risks in trade finance departments is a mighty complex task especially when it is needed to adopt aggressive growth objectives and to provide distinctive customer service. The link between trade finance operations and the credit relationship management sections (credit facilities departments) makes risk management more complex.
The full set of management instructions mentioned above is often called the “Bank’s Instruction Manual” (BIM) and sometimes referred to by the ”Bank’s Holy Bible”. This is by far, the most important component of the bank’s operations system. The BIM contains full definitions and descriptions of the bank’s services/products, procedures, internal regulations, controls, functions, access limits, automation controls, major responsibilities and limits of authorities. Not only does the BIM provide a precise direction to accurately conclude daily transactions, it also serves as the means to allocate the exact accountabilities of the staff concerned when errors, deviations or fraudulent transactions occur. Amongst its other benefits, the BIM is truly the most important tool to detect and prevent fraud.
In conclusion, although trade finance risk management is a mighty complex function, it is a vital function that must be carried out in a sound and coherent manner to protect the bank from the devastating effects of operations risks. JSCS leading banking consultants have the qualifications, experience, skills and management tools to assist in assessing current performance and then managing for peak performance and risk control. Performance-based management tools are used to work with existing managers and personnel for securing an operational environment conducive to reaching optimum efficiency and low risk banking environment. JSCS can assist you in marshalling all your resources through a comprehensive system upgrade and use of financial analysis and rate study tools. Operations management effectiveness can be supported with JSCS management information system experience to reach peak performance, improve overall product service levels while lowering overall costs.
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