Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Poorna De Silva CDCS, CTFP, MBA

Poorna De Silva CDCS, CTFP, MBA

Al-Khobar,Saudi Arabia

Summary

Driven professional with a proactive mindset and a keen sense for strategic problem-solving, combining strong leadership capabilities with 15 years of experience in international Trade Finance and the supply chain domain. Proficient in developing innovative solutions and fostering collaborative environments. Poised to deliver impactful results in a dynamic Banking and Finance role.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work history

Senior Officer Wholesale Banking - Trade Finance

Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF)
ALKHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA
03.2015 - Current
  • Handled the Issuance of Documentary Credits and Amendments.
  • Examination of import documents under LCs to ensure that they are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Documentary Credit as well as UCP 600 rules.
  • Processing of import settlements/payments and Acceptances for documents received under Documentary Credits.
  • Handling collection documents (DA/DP) subject to URC 522.
  • Handling technical queries raised by nominated banks and solving them in a professional manner.
  • Worked as a UAT processor in conducting various user acceptance testing in Trade Finance applications: Fusion Trade Innovation (FTI) and Bank Trade system.
  • Continuous engagement in process development and providing suggestions for Improvement to the development team.
  • Acting as a point of contact within the departments and ensuring smooth processing of transactions within the agreed SLAs.
  • Handling customer queries and complaints in a polite manner and assisting the clients whenever required, and clarifying their doubts, if any.
  • Continuously monitoring for trends in customer transactions to build understanding on business regulatory requirements to act fast to provide an excellent service.
  • Providing Management Information.

Executive Global Trade and Receivables Finance

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
03.2010 - 02.2015
  • Authorized acceptance/payments for import (Documentary credit bills and Collection bills)
  • Involved in the process migration for Documentary Credits bill retirements and Acceptance for HSBC Middle East Region.
  • Conducted AML/KYC checks for the trade transactions, & screened all parties involved in the trade transactions using HIE wolf screening.
  • Updating related MIs when red flags are identified for further review by the business.
  • Performed all necessary checks, such as availability of facility limits, past dues, customer risk ratings upon processing of import loans and referred the
    customer relationship manager for any approval required.
  • Preparing Training Plans & conducting process-related training programs for new recruits and cross-training to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Reviewed performance data to monitor and measure productivity, goal progress and activity levels

Education

Master of Business Administration -

Cardiff Metropolitan University
United Kingdom

Postgraduate Degree - Business Management

Cardiff Metropolitan University
United Kingdom

Diploma in International Trade Finance -

Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka – IBSL

Diploma in Foreign Exchange -

College of Banking Finance, Institute of Bankers,
Sri Lanka

Skills

Professional Certifications

  • Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS)
  • Certified Trade Finance Professionals (CTFP)


Areas of Expertise

  • UCP600, ISBP745, URR725, and URC 522
  • GTRF Compliance and Risk Analysis
  • Electronic Payments (MT202/MT103) and other Swift Messages


ERP Systems Knowledge

HSBC Universal Hub Front End Banking (HFE)
IBM AS400 Bank operating systems
Bank Trade system
Finastra Trade Innovations
TCS Bancs
Stelink Swift Messages
GWIS Imaging system
MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint


Training Attended

Internal training program for 'Grooming of Document Checkers phase 2' in HSBC, Covering Following Areas:

  • UCP 600, ISBP AND URR
  • International Standard Banking Practices
  • Scrutinizing Documents under Letter of Credits
  • Identifying Documentary Fraud
  • Hands on Training on Document Checking
  • Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime Awareness
    program

Accomplishments

  • Awarded Employee of the Month multiple times at Banque Saudi Fransi for consistently managing work pressure effectively and delivering high-quality results within specified deadlines.
  • Received the star performer award for Import Payments and Acceptance on several occasions in HSBC.
  • Participated in Client meetings with the Trade Finance Sales team for upcoming projects as a Trade Finance subject matter expert.
  • Acknowledged by clients on several occasions for excellence in transaction handling and service delivery

Timeline

Senior Officer Wholesale Banking - Trade Finance

Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF)
03.2015 - Current

Executive Global Trade and Receivables Finance

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
03.2010 - 02.2015

Master of Business Administration -

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Postgraduate Degree - Business Management

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Diploma in International Trade Finance -

Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka – IBSL

Diploma in Foreign Exchange -

College of Banking Finance, Institute of Bankers,

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Poorna De Silva CDCS, CTFP, MBA