Press Releases

BAFT Launches Advanced Trade Finance Certificate

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, today announced the launch of its new Certificate in Advanced Trade Finance (CATF) which will offer an in-depth overview of the trade finance business, supply chain finance, cross-border risk, and liquidity solutions. This is a level II certificate, tailored to those with more than three years of trade finance experience.

This on-demand course, available through BAFT’s Learning Management System, will cover 11 modules that focus on a range of advanced trade finance topics, including:

Managing and mitigating emerging market and other cross-border risks;
Understanding the links between supply chain finance and procurement;
Understanding inventory finance;
Secondary markets, insurance and asset distribution in trade and supply chain finance;
Advanced financial crimes, compliance and fraud in supply chain finance;
Digital trade and trade financing;
Best practices in trade and supply chain finance operations;
ESG and sustainable trade finance;
Deep-tier supply chain finance and addressing the trade finance gap;
Nonbank providers of trade and supply chain finance; and
Trade finance and supply chain finance from the corporate and commercial practitioners’ point of view.

“BAFT is dedicated to promoting best practices in international transaction banking and serving as a trusted authority within the industry,” said Scott Stevenson, Senior Vice President of Trade for BAFT. “CATF reflects this commitment by offering a curriculum that is both relevant and up-to-date, exceptional in quality of content and delivery, and ensures participants are well prepared to navigate the complexities of the global trade landscape.”

The courses will be led by Craig Weeks, an independent banking consultant with more than 30 years of experience in trade finance, supply chain, and transacting banking operations, and Alexander Malaket, a consultant in international trade, trade financing, trade-related international development and sustainability/ESG.

The course will take between 12 to 15 hours of study to complete and participants must pass a final assessment to be certified.

Learn more about the new Certificate in Advanced Trade Finance and contact [email protected] with any inquiries.

BAFT Names New Vice President of Operations and Business Management

PNC Bank’s Daniel Pinho announced as new VP at Bankers Association for Finance and Trade overseeing business operations, education and training, and strategic leadership councils.

WASHINGTON – BAFT, an international financial services association, has named Daniel Pinho as its new Vice President of Operations and Business Management. Pinho will oversee the business operations of the association, support its North America and Regional Bank Councils, and education initiatives including the Future Leaders Program when he joins BAFT on July 31.

“Daniel has played an active role in the BAFT community for many years and we are delighted to have him join us as a part of the BAFT team,” said Tod Burwell, President & CEO of BAFT. “His industry knowledge and familiarity with our members, our business and our practices should allow him to seamlessly transition while ensuring we continue to exceed member expectations.”

Prior to joining BAFT, Pinho was Senior Vice president and Assistant Group Manager of Trade Finance at PNC, where he held a number of roles over the past 19 years. Prior to PNC, he worked at UPS Capital Business Credit. Pinho has been active on many BAFT councils and committees and was recognized as 2020 BAFT Ambassador of the Year. He served on the advisory committee of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., the Secretary of PNC’s Latino Employee Business Resource Group, and as a member of the bank’s Talent Management Council.

Pinho has an MBA from the University of Connecticut, BBA from Mackenzie University (São Paulo), BSc Engineering from the Polytechnic School of University of São Paulo, and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

About BAFT

BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance.

BAFT Media Contact:
Blair Bernstein
Senior Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+1 (202) 663-5468

New Correspondent Banking Hub Launched by TFG in Collaboration with BAFT and EBRD

Trade Finance Global launches a dedicated Correspondent Banking hub, in collaboration with BAFT and EBRD, to provide sector-specific content and resources for professionals in the global correspondent banking industry.

LONDON —Trade Finance Global (TFG) is thrilled to launch its latest addition to its platform—a dedicated Correspondent Banking hub, in collaboration with BAFT and EBRD. This innovative hub aims to provide a wealth of industry-specific content and resources, catering to the evolving needs of professionals in the correspondent banking sector across the globe, whilst amplifying the voice of key regions and markets.

Correspondent banking plays a pivotal role in international trade, facilitating secure and efficient cross-border transactions. In recent years, traditional correspondent banking has experienced exponential changes across product delivery and servicing, regulatory compliance as well as relationship building. Therefore the need to provide up-to-date knowledge and insights on this impactful sector.

Rudolf Putz, Head of the Trade Facilitation Programme, EBRD, said, “We highly welcome and support this initiative which might help us to raise awareness of the increasing difficulties of smaller banks and banks in early transition countries to establish correspondent banking relationships with foreign commercial banks.”

Responding to these changes, TFG has developed this hub to centralise pertinent information, making it easily accessible to industry professionals, banks, financial institutions, and trade finance practitioners worldwide.

The hub offers content in a wide range of formats, including articles, podcasts, and videos, covering various aspects of correspondent banking, such as market trends, regulatory developments, risk management, compliance, and technology advancements.

Tod Burwell, President & CEO, BAFT, said, “Trade Finance Global has been an important platform for thought leadership in the transaction banking industry, and BAFT is glad to further collaborate with them in support of their Correspondent Banking Hub.”

By leveraging TFG’s extensive network of global experts, thought leaders, and industry professionals, the Correspondent Banking hub ensures that the perspectives and insights from key regions and markets are prominently represented, enriching the discourse and fostering thought leadership in the industry.

Mark Abrams, Managing Director & Global Head of Trade and Receivables Finance, Trade Finance Global said, “Our Correspondent Banking hub is an exciting addition to the Trade Finance Global platform.

“We believe that providing a dedicated hub for this crucial sector will enable professionals to stay updated with the latest industry trends, deepen their understanding of complex topics, and foster meaningful connections within the correspondent banking community.”

In addition to the Correspondent Banking hub, Trade Finance Global continues to enhance its platform, delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive innovation and efficiency in the global trade finance landscape. With a strong commitment to empowering businesses of all sizes, TFG remains at the forefront of bridging the gap between trade finance stakeholders and supporting the growth of international trade.

About BAFT

TFG Media Contact:
Deepesh Patel
Director, Public Relations
[email protected]
+44 (0) 7507-398018

BAFT Congratulates Graduates of the 2023 Future Leaders Program

WASHINGTON – BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, today announced the graduates of its Future Leaders program class of 2023. The program – now completing its eighth year – recognizes upcoming leaders in the global transaction banking industry. The Future Leader graduates were honored at an in-person ceremony in San Francisco on May 2 as part of BAFT’s 2023 Global Annual Meeting.

Nominated by their respective institutions, the class of 2023 included 38 individuals from 20 countries across six continents representing a variety of disciplines within transaction banking. This year’s group was divided into five project teams to address current industry issues and priorities including developing a hub banking concept, banking in the metaverse, sustainability, fraud in trade finance, and a future of transaction banking business model.

“Congratulations to the 2023 graduating class of Future Leaders,” said Tod Burwell, president and CEO, BAFT. “We are grateful for your impactful work and know that you will continue to drive the transaction banking industry forward through your leadership.”

BAFT congratulates the following graduates from the class of 2023:

Adriana Seidl, Deutsche Bank AG
Adrien Laniau, Société Générale
Ahmad Muhaisen, Arab Bank
Ambar Mardikar, Scotiabank
Amresh Jagessar, ING Bank N.V.
Anathi Mkhize, ABSA CIB
Anna Ries, UniCredit S.p.A.
Beatrice Cheng, Standard Chartered
Celina Andrioti, JP Morgan
Charlotte Fryer, JP Morgan
Colin Allshouse, Bank of America
Dipika Surana, Bank of America
Elcin Onat, Citibank
Haitham Hassan, African Export-Import bank
Ines Weibel, UBS Switzerland AG
Jason Haley, BMO Capital Markets
Johnny Chung, BNY Mellon
Jorge Gomez, BNY Mellon
Marko Motika, StoneX
Maxwell Chesky, MUFG
Melinda Jih, HSBC
Mouloud Bouaziz, Credit Agricole CIB
Natalie Patura, PNC Bank NA
Natasa Pudic, ING Bank N.V.
Neslihan Gökmen, Danske Bank
Nicholas Lewis, Barclays
Paolina Stoilova, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
Pia Reyes, American International Group (AIG)
Rebecca Connor, PNC Bank NA
Sabri Riache, Deutsche Bank AG
Samer Mansour, Housing Bank for Trade and Finance
Sarah Zedar, KeyBank National Association
Sue Ellen Hearn, Royal Bank of Canada
Swati Shahani, Barclays
Tebogo Phosiwa, Rand Merchant Bank
Weaam Muaddi, Arab Bank
Yasemin Ozcan, BNP Paribas SA
Zachary Byrne, Deloitte

For more information on the Future Leaders program, including eligibility requirements, timing, and access to the project team research papers, please visit BAFT.org. The application submissions for the class of 2024 will start in late summer/early fall.

About BAFT

BAFT Elects BNP Paribas’ Suresh Subramanian to Lead Board of Directors

WASHINGTON — BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, has announced that Suresh Subramanian of BNP Paribas will serve as the chair of its board of directors for the 2023-2024 association year.

Suresh Subramanian is managing director and head of transaction banking for the Americas at BNP Paribas. Based in New York, Suresh is responsible for business strategy, product management and sales across North and South America.

“After many years of service to the BAFT board of directors, I am honored to continue that work as chair for the upcoming association year,” Subramanian said. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow officers and board members as we work to advance the goals and priorities of the transaction banking industry.”

Suresh has held several roles throughout his 30-year tenure with BNP Paribas including lead positions in New York, Paris and India for transaction and corporate banking. He also serves on several boards and committees within the bank, including as a member of the Leadership Committee for CIB Americas, a member of the Global Strategic Board for Transaction Banking and Correspondent Banking, a member of the Asset and Liability Committee for CIB Americas, and the Executive Champion for the bank’s Asian Business Networking Group.

BAFT board officers include:

Vice Chair: Nick Smit, ING
Secretary / Treasurer: Michelle Knowles, ABSA

Other directors include:

Maram Al-Jazireh, Arab Bank
Eddy Almonte,Bank of America
Rana Beydoun, Commerical Bank of Dubai
Tod Burwell (CEO), BAFT
Dyanne Carenza, Scotiabank
Mark Doctoroff, MUFG
Derryn Faure, Investec
Jean-Francois Mazure, Societe Generale
Patrick Havander, Visa
Darryl Hendricks, UBS
Maurice Iskander, Banque Libano-Française
Ayaz Kamlani, First Abu Dhabi Bank
John Kinyangi, Standard Bank Group
George Lee, Standard Chartered Bank
Sriram Muthukrishnan, DBS Bank
Miriam Ratkovicova, Deloitte
Amy Sahm, Fulton Bank
Sabry Salman, Barclays
Karin Walchshofer, BMO (Bank of Montreal)
Peter Zotos, JPMorgan Chase
Aaron Zynczak, First Citizens Bank

About BAFT
BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages on a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance. The association website is www.baft.org.

Financial Inclusion in Trade Roadmap Launched

The World Trade Board launched the ‘Financial Inclusion in Trade’ Roadmap, focusing on fair and equitable access to trade finance to empower MSMEs and SMEs, and calling for industry feedback and collaboration. Please submit feedback to [email protected].

The Financial Inclusion in Trade Roadmap identifies five key areas where coordinated action can make a significant impact. These include digital infrastructure, legal/regulatory infrastructure, data infrastructure, technical assistance and new funding sources. Crucially, the Roadmap aims to accelerate the pace of change by providing a holistic framework for public and private sector collaboration.

BAFT is one of the key contributors in the development of this roadmap, together with other notable industry partners, namely the ICC UK, IFC, FCI, and ITFA.

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