SATHISH KUMAR J
Chennai
Summary
CDCS and CSDG certified trade finance professional with over 8 years of progressive experience in documentary credit operations, export payment processing, and demand guarantee handling. Currently managing core trade operations at Citicorp Services India Pvt. Ltd., with a focus on document scrutiny, SWIFT messaging, and regulatory compliance. Recognized for delivering exceptional client service, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and leading high-performing teams. Seeking to leverage technical expertise and leadership capabilities in a managerial role to drive operational excellence and strategic growth in global trade finance.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager
Citicorp Services India Pvt Ltd
Chennai
08.2022 - Current
- Ensured all transactions are processed within defined SLAs and TATs, maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance, and client satisfaction.
- Lead and manage end-to-end export and import document scrutiny under UCP 600, ISBP 745, and internal compliance frameworks, ensuring zero discrepancy tolerance and timely processing.
- Assessed transaction complexity and risk exposure, implementing controls to mitigate operational and financial risks.
- Driven continuous improvement by recommending and implementing quality procedures and process enhancements.
- Monitor transaction queues hourly and allocate tasks to makers based on priority and workload, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
- Generated and reviewed trade-related reports, flagging non-updated cases, and coordinating with teams for timely resolution.
- Maintained strict adherence to internal procedures, audit requirements, and regulatory obligations, supporting a culture of compliance and operational excellence.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.
- Managed client relationships to ensure high satisfaction and support responsiveness.
- Developed strategic plans to align departmental goals with organizational objectives.
- Implemented process improvements to streamline workflows and reduce redundancies.
- Conducted performance reviews to assess team contributions and set development goals.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Conducted regular meetings with staff to discuss progress and identify areas of improvement.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to develop action plans for improving services offered.
- Created monthly reports for senior management summarizing operational performance metrics.
Team Leader
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
Chennai
04.2021 - 08.2022
- Conducted thorough scrutiny of Export and Import LC documents.
- Processed transactions adhering to bank policies within designated TATs and SLAs.
- Assessed transaction nature, complexity, and value to mitigate risks.
- Developed and implemented quality procedures, recommending enhancements for continuous improvement.
- Ensured compliance with all internal procedures consistently.
- Monitored queue status hourly, allocating transactions effectively.
- Managed team operations to achieve zero percent error rate.
- Oversaw escalation communications and resolved issues promptly.
Senior executive associate
WNS Global Services
04.2020 - 03.2021
- Conduct end-to-end scrutiny of export and import LC documents in compliance with UCP 600, ISBP 745, and internal bank policies.
- Authorize export and import collection payments, foreign check settlements, and outward remittance transactions.
- Handle reimbursements and acceptances under Export and Import Letters of Credit, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
- Authorize and manage SWIFT messages, including MT202, MT734, MT756, MT742, and MT752, ensuring alignment with transaction instructions.
- Perform Nostro reconciliation by validating trade-related credits, debits, and applying them against correct references.
- Execute SWIFT reconciliation by tracking acknowledgments, identifying failure messages, and initiating corrective actions.
- Ensure all transactions are processed within defined TATs and SLAs, maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.
- Assess transaction complexity and value to mitigate operational and financial risk.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of quality procedures, and recommend process enhancements for continuous improvement.
- Monitor queue status hourly, and allocate transactions to makers to optimize workflow and resource utilization.
- Generate and review trade-related reports, flagging non-updated cases, and coordinating with the team for timely resolution.
- Maintain strict adherence to internal procedures and regulatory requirements, supporting audit readiness, and operational integrity.
Process Associate (Trade Finance)
Tata Consultancy Services
07.2017 - 04.2020
- Managed end-to-end export payment realization and loan/bill closure processes, ensuring compliance with internal policies and RBI/FEMA regulations.
- Processed inward remittances via Nostro account downloads and credited customer accounts accurately, adhering to SLA and audit standards.
- Handled export bill closures against FIRC/e-FIRC submissions, including invoice reduction, write-off, tenor extension, and GR waiver processing.
- Executed PCFC/PSFC loan liquidation upon receipt of foreign remittances, ensuring timely crystallization, and commercialization at maturity.
- Authorized SWIFT MT103 messages and tracked single customer transfers, applying remittances against client instructions.
- Coordinated XOS follow-ups and submitted defaulter lists to branches for RBI reporting; issued NOC, and other regulatory certificates.
- Addressed ED/RBI queries raised by the Regulatory Department and ensured accurate reporting.
- Realized inland bills against RTGS/NEFT remittances, and managed domestic bill closures with proactive follow-ups.
- Booked foreign exchange rates for client payments, and scanned transaction documentation for audit and archival.
- Contributed to regulatory reporting and compliance by submitting accurate data to the RBI and supporting internal audit reviews.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Thiruthangal Nadar College Of Arts & Science
Chennai05-2017
Higher Secondary - Bio-Maths
Dr.G.M.T.T.V Hr Sec Schol
Chennai03-2014
SSLC -
Dr.G.M.T.T.V Hr Sec Schol
Chennai04-2012
Skills
- Document scrutiny
- Process improvement
- Transaction processing
- Export documentation
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Team leadership
- Performance evaluation
- Data analysis
- Decision-making
- Staff management
- Goal setting
- Performance evaluations
Trade Finance Expertise & Operational Leadership
- Documentary credit operations: proficient in handling LC issuance, amendments, and document scrutiny under UCP 600, ISBP 745, and URR 725
- Standby letters of credit (SBLC): familiarity with ISP 98 and practical application in SBLC transactions
- Demand guarantees: expertise in checking documents under URDG 758 and understanding guarantee structures
- Trade terms and Incoterms: strong grasp of Incoterms 2020 and their implications on transport and delivery obligations
- SWIFT messaging: skilled in MT7xx series (MT700, MT707, MT799, etc.) For trade-related communications
- Document examination: accurate and timely scrutiny of transport, commercial, and financial documents (e.g., B/L, invoice, certificate of origin)
- Risk mitigation: identification of discrepancies, fraud indicators, and compliance breaches in trade documents
- AML and sanctions screening: awareness of red flags and regulatory obligations in trade transactions
- RBI guidelines and FEMA compliance: application of Indian regulatory norms in cross-border trade
- ICC rules interpretation: ability to interpret and apply ICC rules (UCP, URDG, ISP) in real-world scenarios
- Process optimization: proven ability to streamline document-checking workflows and reduce turnaround time
- Audit and quality control: conducting internal audits and ensuring adherence to compliance standards
- Team leadership: leading document-checking teams, mentoring junior staff, and managing performance
- Stakeholder communication: coordinating with clients, relationship managers, and compliance teams
- Decision-making and judgment: making confident calls on document acceptability and risk exposure
Certification
- CDCS – Certified Documentary Credit Specialist, completed training conducted by the London Institute of Banking & Finance – Trade Finance Division
- CSDG – Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees, completed training conducted by the London Institute of Banking & Finance – Trade Finance Division
- CITF – Certificate in International Trade and Finance, completed training conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance – Trade Finance Division
- CCFE – Certificate in Foreign Exchange, completed training conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance – Trade Finance Division
- AML/KYC compliance certification completed training conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, Trade Finance Division
SOFTWARE EXPERTISE
- Titan application
- Flex cube
- E Dealer
- Ms Office
- Citi FT
- TRRACS
- COTS
- TI+
- Norkom
- IMEX
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 02/18/97
- Nationality: Indian
- Marital Status: Single
Languages
Tamil
First Language
English
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Disclaimer
I hereby declare that the information furnished above is true to the best of my knowledge. I am also confident of my ability to work in term.
Timeline
Manager
Citicorp Services India Pvt Ltd
08.2022 - Current
Team Leader
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
04.2021 - 08.2022
Senior executive associate
WNS Global Services
04.2020 - 03.2021
Process Associate (Trade Finance)
Tata Consultancy Services
07.2017 - 04.2020
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
Thiruthangal Nadar College Of Arts & Science
Higher Secondary - Bio-Maths
Dr.G.M.T.T.V Hr Sec Schol
SSLC -
Dr.G.M.T.T.V Hr Sec Schol
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