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Trade Finance Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AP Trade Finance Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

AP Trade Finance Analyst Houston, TX | Onsite (77024) Salary: $85,000-$95,000 + 10% Bonus About the ... Operations, and Commercial teams. Position Summary This role is responsible for owning the full ...

Finance Operations

New York, NY · On-site +1

$80K - $160K/yr

Kalshi allows people to trade on the outcome of any events and turn any question about the future ... The Financial Operations team is responsible for ensuring the money flowing in and out of the ...

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Trade Finance Operations information

See salary details

$35.5K

$115.9K

$139K

How much do trade finance operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for trade finance operations in the United States is $115,859.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,500.00 and $138,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is trade finance operations?

Trade Finance Operations refer to the processes and activities involved in facilitating international and domestic trade transactions. This includes handling documentation, processing payments, managing letters of credit, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating risks related to global trade. Professionals in this field work closely with banks, importers, exporters, and other financial institutions to ensure that all trade transactions are executed smoothly, securely, and efficiently. Their role is crucial in enabling companies to conduct cross-border business by providing financial solutions and support throughout the trade cycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a trade finance operations professional?

To thrive in Trade Finance Operations, you need a solid understanding of international trade, financial instruments (like letters of credit), and relevant banking regulations, typically supported by a finance, business, or related degree. Familiarity with trade finance platforms (e.g., SWIFT, Bolero), compliance systems, and certifications like CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist) is often expected. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing complex transactions and client relationships. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure accurate processing, regulatory compliance, and efficient support of global trade activities.

What are some common challenges faced in trade finance operations, and how can professionals effectively address them?

Professionals in Trade Finance Operations often encounter challenges such as managing complex documentation, ensuring compliance with international regulations, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders across different time zones. Staying organized, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of regulatory changes, and leveraging technology for document management can help address these challenges. Additionally, strong communication skills are essential for collaborating with banks, clients, and internal teams to ensure smooth transaction processing and mitigate risks.

What is the difference between Trade Finance Operations vs Trade Finance Analyst?

AspectTrade Finance OperationsTrade Finance Analyst
Primary FocusProcessing and managing trade transactions, ensuring compliance, handling documentationAnalyzing trade data, assessing risks, preparing reports and financial analysis
Required SkillsAttention to detail, knowledge of trade documentation, operational proceduresAnalytical skills, financial knowledge, data interpretation
Work EnvironmentOperational teams within banks or financial institutionsFinance departments, risk management teams
CertificationsTypically none required, but certifications like CTP or similar can be beneficialFinancial analysis certifications (e.g., CFA) may be preferred

Trade Finance Operations focuses on executing and managing trade transactions, ensuring compliance, and handling documentation. In contrast, Trade Finance Analysts analyze trade data, assess risks, and prepare financial reports. Both roles require understanding of trade finance processes but differ in their core responsibilities and skill sets.

More about Trade Finance Operations jobs

What cities are hiring for Trade Finance Operations jobs?

Cities with the most Trade Finance Operations job openings:

What states have the most Trade Finance Operations jobs?

States with the most job openings for Trade Finance Operations jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Trade Finance Operations jobs?

For Trade Finance Operations jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Trade Finance Operations job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,859 per year, or $55.7 per hour.

Trade Services Operations Analyst

Jersey City, NJ • Hybrid

$67K - $80K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 3 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

 SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges.

In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd.

The anticipated salary range for this role is between $67,000.00 and $80,000.00. The specific salary offered to an applicant will be based on their individual qualifications, experiences, and an analysis of the current compensation paid in their geography and the market for similar roles at the time of hire. The role may also be eligible for an annual discretionary incentive award. In addition to cash compensation, SMBC offers a competitive portfolio of benefits to its employees.

Role Description
  • Supervise and process issuance, amendment, negotiation, and settlement of Import Letters of Credit, including acceptances, discounting, and payments.
  • Oversee Export L/C advising and confirmations, including booking commissions (in advance and arrears) and managing daily accruals.
  • Book, monitor, and manage structured L/C transactions, ensuring accurate system setup and adherence to agreed terms.
  • Supervise Import and Export Documentary Collections, including registration, examination, acceptances, settlements, and financing.
  • Manage financing of Import and Export Collections, ensuring proper documentation, approvals, and risk alignment.
  • Handle and review invoicing under Import and Export L/Cs, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with credit terms.
Role Objectives: Delivery
  • Provide daily supervision, guidance, and technical support to operations staff.
  • Review transactions processed by team members to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
  • Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for trade finance products, policies, and ICC rules.
  • Escalate and resolve complex trade discrepancies, operational issues, and client inquiries.
  • Ensure strict adherence to ICC rules (UCP 600, ISBP, URC, ISP98), internal policies, AML/KYC requirements, and applicable regulations.
  • Support internal, regulatory, and external audits by providing documentation and addressing findings.
  • Identify operational risks, control gaps, and process improvement opportunities.
  • Liaise with relationship managers, credit, compliance, risk, and overseas counterparties to ensure smooth transaction processing.
  • Maintain strong service levels and turnaround times for clients and internal stakeholders
  • Assist management in driving process enhancements, automation initiatives, and standardization across trade operations.
  • Participate in system upgrades, UAT testing, and implementation of new trade products.
Qualifications and Skills
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent; Master's degree is a plus.
  • Minimum 4+ years of hands-on experience in Documentary Letter of Credit processing within a bank or financial institution.
  • Proven expertise in Import and Export L/Cs, Collections, and Trade Finance Operations.
  • Strong working knowledge of ICC rules (UCP 600, ISBP, URC 522, ISP98)
  • Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to lead, mentor, and review the work of junior staff.
  • Strong understanding of trade operations systems and controls.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment.
Additional Requirements

SMBC's employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required.

SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please let us know at accommodations@smbcgroup.com.