Shankar R
Chennai
Summary
Results-driven Trade Finance Professional specializing in documentary credit and anti-money laundering. Expertise in process improvement and client relationship management enhances operational efficiency and compliance. Skilled in navigating complex financial transactions to deliver effective solutions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President, Cash Processing/Funds Transfer Manager I
BNY Mellon International PVT., LTD
Chennai
01.2022 - Current
- Spearheaded teams in Letter of Credit (LC) operations, enhancing documentation review, financing, reimbursements, TBML, and payment processing.
- Successfully led the migration of new processes from the Onshore team, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Championed process improvement initiatives, automating and simplifying workflows to enhance overall performance.
- Implemented process simplifications and innovative procedures, streamlining workflows for greater operational effectiveness.
- Oversaw rigorous internal audits, reinforcing robust control measures within the processing framework.
- Managed capacity planning, ensuring optimal resource allocation to meet business demands.
- Acted as a trusted client advisor, resolving complex trade finance product-related inquiries with expertise.
- Conducted comprehensive employee evaluations, appraisals, and spearheaded strategic recruitment efforts.
Manager
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
Bangalore
05.2017 - 01.2022
- Led the documentation check team to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Monitored daily transactional exceptions on participated facilities to identify and resolve issues promptly.
- Ensured smooth operations with compliance to regulatory and audit requirements.
- Delivered letters of credit and related services according to agreed turnaround times and service level agreements.
- Assisted customers with documentation process for trade operations, including outward/inward remittances, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and export bill collection.
- Reconciliation of various GL related to risk participation.
- Review of process notes in line with new changes, procedures and policies.
- Conducted annual and mid-year performance appraisals for team members.
- Trade Asset distribution/Risk participation, SCF receivable financing for FI’s and Corporate.
Associate Manager
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
Bangalore
01.2014 - 04.2017
- Processed oil and commodity letters of credit (LCs) in compliance with industry standards.
- Issued discrepancy advisories to customers, facilitating timely resolution of documentation issues.
- Addressed rejection and swift messages to resolve discrepancies in documentation.
- Trade AML and Sanctions screen on shipping documents.
- Export & Import doc checking - Scrutinize Export and Import document including confirmed, Transferrable, back-to-back and commodities LC documents as per Uniform Customs and Practice (UCP) & International Banking practice (ISBP).
- Led team meetings to address external errors and analyze root causes, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Facilitated discussions with the team on UCP and ISBP articles, sharing insights on complex cases to enhance collective expertise.
Team Leader
Tata Consultancy LTD (TCS)
Chennai
01.2013 - 12.2013
- Consulted with Commercial Bank of Qatar customers on letters of credit, including complex transactions such as transferable and back-to-back letters of credit.
- Advised bank customers on terms and conditions of L/Cs to ensure compliance with contractual obligations between applicants and beneficiaries.
- Managed documents for export and import documentary collections.
- Scrutinized export and import documents for Kuwait and Dubai trade customers of Citibank according to Uniform Customs and Practice (UCP) and International Banking Practice (ISBP).
Process Supervisor
Deutsche Bank of India (DBOI)
Bangalore
09.2011 - 12.2012
- Verified export documents for compliance with Uniform Customs and Practice (UCP) and International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP) to ensure accuracy.
- Supported customers in preparing documents for Export Letter of Credit (LC), facilitating successful pre-check processes.
- Supervised daily operations in the processing department to maintain efficiency.
- Coordinated team schedules to ensure optimal coverage and workflow.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance service delivery standards.
Senior Associate
TCS E-Serve Limited
Chennai
09.2008 - 08.2011
- Exposure in Exports: Advising, Negotiation, Document Scrutiny.
- Exposure in Imports: Negotiation, Document Scrutiny, and Import Financing, Reimbursement authorization and honor and Acceptance & Payments under Import bills.
- Application of (UCP) uniform Customs and Practice, International Standard Banking Practices (ISBP).
- Forex Purchase: Exposure on purchase of Forex for different currencies and settlement of import obligations for the trade customers through agreed cross rate with Treasury and Forward contract booking.
- Handling of Incoming SWIFT messages and responding to the Overseas Bank queries.
- Follow bank processes and ensure compliance with US regulations, including AML and OFAC.
- Comply with Group money laundering prevention policy and procedures.
- Supervising daily activities of Trade Finance and maintenance of team Operations.
- Pre-Acceptance and Pre-Negotiation processing.
- Reconciled nostro accounts and managed Management Information System (MIS) records.
Senior Officer
Scope International PVT LTD
Chennai
08.2005 - 05.2008
- Handled Standard Chartered Bank customers in Dubai and processed transactions, checked for errors, and completed work within the service level agreement.
- Achieved Satisfactory and Excellent monthly ratings through consistent performance.
- Optimized process accuracy, and improved colleagues' awareness of actions needed to reach production and operational goals.
- Resolved customer queries via email, telephone, and internet banking.
Education
M.B.A -
Pondicherry University
Chennai12.2013
B.B.A -
D.B Jain College
Chennai12.2002
Skills
- Trade finance
- Risk & Compliance
- Anti money laundering
- Financial analysis
- Process improvement
- Document analysis
- Client relationship management
- Supply chain
- Trade distribution
Certification
- The certified anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS)
- Certificate in Trade Finance (Conducted by Indian Institute of Banking and Finance – IIBF Chennai)
- Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS) from IFS School of Finance(U.K), endorsed by ICC
Timeline
Vice President, Cash Processing/Funds Transfer Manager I
BNY Mellon International PVT., LTD
01.2022 - Current
Manager
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
05.2017 - 01.2022
Associate Manager
Standard Chartered Global Business Services
01.2014 - 04.2017
Team Leader
Tata Consultancy LTD (TCS)
01.2013 - 12.2013
Process Supervisor
Deutsche Bank of India (DBOI)
09.2011 - 12.2012
Senior Associate
TCS E-Serve Limited
09.2008 - 08.2011
Senior Officer
Scope International PVT LTD
08.2005 - 05.2008
M.B.A -
Pondicherry University
B.B.A -
D.B Jain College