Head of SBLC Docs Management

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 $225,000.00 and $250,000.00. 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

A Middle Office Manager for SBLCs sits between the Front Office (relationship managers, trade sales) and the Back Office (operations, settlements). The role focuses on risk control, compliance, documentation integrity, and lifecycle oversight of SBLC transactions.

The middle office does not originate deals or process payments, but ensures SBLCs are structured, approved, monitored, and reported correctly throughout their life.

Role Objectives: Delivery

1. Pre-Issuance Review & Deal Structuring

• Review SBLC terms for risk, compliance, and operational feasibility

• Ensure alignment with:

• Credit approvals

• Sanctions and AML requirements

• Internal policies and country risk limits

• Validate SBLC type (financial vs performance standby)

• Confirm governing rules

2. Documentation & Compliance Control

• Review SBLC wording for:

• Clear draw conditions

• Acceptable presentation requirements

• Legal enforceability

• Ensure compliance with:

• OFAC and sanctions screening

• KYC / KYB requirements

• Regulatory reporting standards

• Act as a control gate before issuance or amendment

3. Lifecycle Management

• Oversee:

• Amendments

• Extensions / rollovers

• Reductions or cancellations

• Track expiry dates and auto-renewal clauses

• Ensure timely client notifications and internal updates

4. Reporting & Governance

• Produce management reports on:

• Outstanding SBLC exposure

• Concentration by client, country, and industry

• Past-due or high-risk SBLCs

• Support:

• Internal audits

• Regulatory exams

• Model and control reviews

Qualifications and Skills

• 10+ years of experience

• Strong knowledge of trade finance instruments

• Familiarity with ISP98, UCP 600, and ICC rules

• Credit risk and counterparty analysis

• Regulatory awareness (AML, sanctions, capital rules)

• Attention to detail and escalation judgment

• Ability to manage high-value, low-volume transactions

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 [email protected].

EOE, including Disability/veterans