Associate Trade Finance

About the role

The Associate Trade Finance role at I&M Bank supports the processing and administration of trade finance transactions for corporate and institutional clients. Working from the Westlands office in Nairobi, you will ensure that all trade instruments are executed in line with bank policies and international trade regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Process trade finance instruments, including letters of credit, guarantees, standby LC and documentary collections.
• Review client instructions for completeness, conduct compliance and due‑diligence checks, and liaise with customers to obtain missing information.
• Coordinate with relationship managers, credit, legal and treasury teams to obtain approvals, set limits and secure legal opinions.
• Handle outward and inward foreign cheques, supply‑chain finance instructions, and bill lodging/acceptance.
• Provide day‑to‑day trade finance advice to external clients and internal staff, and respond to correspondent‑bank queries.
• Monitor Nostro statements, reconcile trade‑related items and flag potential AML or sanctions issues.
• Prepare reports on outstanding liabilities and support audit and compliance activities.

Required profile

• Minimum 1 month of experience in trade finance or a related banking function.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Understanding of international trade guidelines and banking procedures.

Required skills

• Trade finance instrument processing (LCs, guarantees, documentary collections).
• Compliance and due‑diligence assessment.
• Banking systems for Nostro reconciliation.