Career lessons from the classroom

Many people have studied our trade and transaction banking qualifications, but what is it like to be on the other side of classroom, as a lecturer? We talk to Dr Chithra Suresh, Senior Lecturer in the Banking & Finance Centre at the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance, about changes in trade finance and what has brought her particular satisfaction in her career.

The joy of teaching trade finance

Like many who enter the banking industry, Dr. Chithra Suresh initially studied economics. However, for the past seventeen years, she has been teaching our trade finance qualifications at the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance. Does she enjoy it?

“Yes, I love it,” she says. “When students come back and say, ‘I wouldn’t have passed without you, thank-you’, it makes my day.”

She says that she has had “the privilege” of seeing many people develop their career, moving from trade officer to become head of trade. “That is my real achievement,” she says, “That I’ve been able to play a role in their successful journey. It gives me immense satisfaction.”

The impact of digitalisation and AI

Over the course of her own career, of course, Chithra has seen many changes and challenges – and sees more coming.

“Digitalisation is revolutionising the whole trade finance market,” she says. “Artificial intelligence will completely alter how the market looks at trade products and solutions and there is a lot of reskilling and upskilling that needs to be done.”

She does not, however, expect AI to be able to replace experienced trade bankers. “AI will complement rather than replace human judgement,” she says.

More global risk and bigger banks

Banks themselves are undergoing profound change, as is the global trade environment. “Consolidation in banking is a global phenomenon,” says Chithra. “Digitalisation means that only big institutions will survive.”

The shifts in geopolitics that are changing the shape of trade are also front of mind for students and their lecturers. “They’re all very keen to learn more about geopolitical risk,” she says. “When you’re in a trade bank, you have to understand that we’re all interdependent.”

For bankers that interdependency means putting in place adequate risk mitigation. “Sometimes people want to rely on letters of credit, but you also need receivables discounting. Supply chain finance is a fantastic solution for bringing SMEs under the umbrella of a bank. SMEs that don't meet traditional lending criteria can access liquidity through payables finance, backed by the creditworthiness of larger corporate clients.

Supply chain finance will grow

Chithra sees a shift away from traditional trade finance products like letters of credit to the provision of supply chain finance, and she teaches on the Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF) course. “Banks want to provide solutions that are structured to local needs but also in line with what is provided globally,” she says. “The CSCF gives that view of global practice.”

CSCF is a qualification that is also useful to non-bankers. “They come from manufacturing companies and trade finance is a big cost for them,” she says. “When they can create the correct documentation themselves, it’s a huge cost saving. I’ve had a CFO ring me to say how much the course had helped his firm.”

How learners can learn better

There are clearly many satisfying aspects to teaching people about trade finance, but what are the challenges of being a lecturer?

“When people are taking courses as adults they may be dealing with background issues, such as a bad day at the office or problems in their personal lives, that can stop them really engaging with the course,” says Chithra, “For example, if they had been promised a promotion for passing a particular exam and that promise is taken away, they can feel helpless. I’m flattered that they feel they can turn to me, but It’s not always easy to help in situations like that.”

A more common – and fundamental problem – is how people manage their time in the run-up to the exam. “Now that the exam in on demand, rather than on a set date, I see people deciding to not take the exam until the last minute, when their momentum has gone,” says Chithra. “I encourage them to sit the exam within two weeks of the last class. That makes a big difference to outcomes.”

Why take a trade finance qualification?

But does it really make sense to invest time and energy in taking trade finance qualifications? “Trade banks can live without having their staff sit particular qualifications,” says Chithra.

An LIBF trade finance qualification is a designation that speaks volumes about what you know about the field and the quality of your work. If a holder of the CDCS pointed out a discrepancy in documentation, I wouldn’t question their judgement.

Chithra Suresh

Senior Lecturer at the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance

She says that the qualifications are also a positive signal to regulators making decisions about approved persons. “They might not stipulate them, but they do prefer to see them.”

And becoming part of a designated group offers the chance to network with peers and others in financial services. “I set up a WhatsApp group where transaction bankers can come together,” says Chithra. “When we held a conference earlier on this year, a number of FinTechs asked if they could attend at their own expense, and they flew in from surrounding countries.”

And last, but not least, HR professionals want to find those who are really committed to a professional career. “I often have HR professionals reach out for recommendations,” says Chithra. “And we’re always happy to help where we can.”