Operations Officer - Foreign Exchange Funds Transfer

Job description

Overall Summary of the Job
· Maintain and monitor FX deals to ensure proper settlement, execute FX Trade with a wire. Maintain a daily log of all deals, transfers and payment orders. Daily review and verification of the Nostro, TLM reconciliation, and balances. Investigate overdrafts in clients DDA and Nostro accounts
· Monitor and address all incoming emails to the IPB Forex Control mailbox
· Assist the Payment Supervisor
· Support all currency payment teams onshore and offshore to resolve issues submitted, as well as the Investigation team.
· Support the payment area as needed by cross training in the various job functions. Verify that payment instruction are in compliance with the bank's procedures. Investigate inquiries of same day payments.
· Additional responsibilities are to perform other department functions and assist other Operations groups as needed.
· To maintain HSBC internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators. Any failures to comply with the above should be reflected in yearend performance assessments.
· This position works closely with the various Operations teams in Buffalo, NY, Miami, and offshore service centers, in addition to business partners in Information Technology, Front Office, Compliance, Legal, and Management at all levels. The role requires constant follow up and monitoring, dependencies on other areas to accomplish results, and excellent time management and organizational skills. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written are also essential.
· To provide operational support and exceptional service to the Front Office / clients, and various internal groups while delivering reliability, quality, consistency and minimizing all associated risks.
· All functions are performed with the understanding and Compliance with the Functional Instruction Manual (FIM), Department Procedures and Audit requirements

Primary Responsibilities / Essential Functions

· Deal directly with internal clients and business areas either by telephone, electronically, or face to face
· Respond promptly to customer inquiries in a professional manner
· Liaise between Operations and Relationship Managers as well as other business partners in Risk, Compliance, and Legal.
· Assist management with identifying process improvements and work flow changes to improve customer experience and process efficiencies.
· Provide customer service and assistance to Relationship Managers on investigations, and general support.
· Ensure policies and procedures are current and consistent with various Bank requirements. Minimum of an annual certification required.
· Ensure proper controls are in place to mitigate risks or exposure to the firm.
· Monitor and evaluate the adequacy of existing services provided and related procedures and look to make improvements
· Provide assistance with system testing, and implementation of special Projects
· Responsible for effective implementation of new procedures, systems, process changes, and initiatives impacting the payment operations in general
· Daily EOD settlement and verification.
· Provide oversight for the Offshore GSC teams, escalate to management accordingly.
· Conduct testing for Helios reporting with the Control Owner.
· Research inquiries on same day payments transactions.
· Verification and release of all payment entries done on the payments systems.
· Assist in functionality of all equipment, SWIFT. Any systems problems must be addressed immediately to guarantee processing of the payments.
· Support and provide a high level of quality service to Relationship managers / Front Office.
· Provide adequate training to the staff.
· Review yearly Goals and Objectives, and Year End self-evaluations.
· Additional responsibilities are to support other Operations departments' functions, as needed.
· To maintain HSBC internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators.
· Monitor FX deals to ensure proper settlement. Verify daily log of all deals, transfers and payment orders
· Review daily reconciliation and investigation of the Nostro and Suspense accounts
Decision-Making Responsibility
· Perform according to prescribed procedures and within scope of authority
· Responsible to determine the correct actions to reduce operational risks related to day to day functions.
· Make appropriate decisions when necessary to efficiently resolve issues / complaints submitted by RM's / other areas.
· Must use good judgment in communicating issues to management attention and escalating matter(s) when warranted, including having to contact 3rd parties at times to facilitate resolution.
· Rejecting payment requests not in full compliance with procedures or appears not to be in compliance with Regulatory requirements, Anti Money Laundering Programs. Consult with the department manager immediately.
· Escalate exceptions for overriding procedures to process wire transfer.
· Propose changes in procedures and/or workflows.
· Training courses and cross training of staff.

Desired profile

Qualifications :

·  Sufficient business / technical skills to assist with all processes in the payment department.
·  A good understanding of policy and procedures, Instruction Manuals, and Internal Audit recommendations.
·  Must be able to ensure proper controls are in place to mitigate risks, protect information security, and minimize errors.
·  Must be able to adapt to the changing needs of the business and enhance client service.
·  Able to understand the risk implications of various operational issues be able to come up with solutions.
·  Analytical ability to evaluate the root causes of the problems and come up with quick solutions to avoid any client dissatisfaction. The individual should have a minimum of 3 years of experience working in Bank operations with payments, foreign exchange, and Middle Office capacity.
·  Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with good listening skills. Must show politeness and professionalism when dealing with clients and willingness to help. Strong attention to detail. They must be highly organized, self-starter, dynamic and demonstrate initiative in enhancing processes. They must be able to work comfortably in a team environment or independently, and have tolerance for high pressure situations. They must also demonstrate strong time management skills and be able effectively multi-task to ensure deadlines and expectations are met.
·  Advanced PC / technical skills including MS Excel, Access
·  Must take the concept of information security and client confidentiality very seriously
·  Ability to influence others to achieve set deliverables
·  Sufficient accounting skills to avoid any risks related to incorrect booking of transactions.
·  Skills to initiate and run Projects.
·  Knowledge of FX both from the operations and trading.
EEO/AA/Minorities/Women/Disability/Veterans