Snapshot of our CTFP alumni
| Name | Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah |
| Job title | Assistant Vice President in Trade Finance Operations |
| Karupaga Valli’s profile | |
| Based in | Malaysia |
| Organisation | A leading global banking group |
Karupaga Valli Ponnaiah’s decision to pursue the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme came not from necessity, but from a deliberate commitment to continuous professional development – after 25 years in banking and a foundation already laid by the Global Trade Certificate (GTC), she wanted to validate her practical experience against internationally recognised standards and push herself to keep growing, rather than settle into comfort with what she already knew.
In her responses, she reflects on how the certification deepened her structured understanding of trade finance, sharpened her strategic perspective beyond individual transactions, and gave her the confidence to complete the course in just three months – half the standard duration. She also shares how it strengthened her professional credibility with colleagues across different teams and regions at her organisation, a leading global banking group.
What is your role and who do you work for?
I am an Assistant Vice President in Trade Finance Operations at a leading international financial institution, which I have been with for the past 12 years. I have over 25 years of banking experience, with a strong focus on Trade Finance and Branch Operations.
My role involves supporting trade finance products and solutions, including bank guarantees, standby letters of credit, trade financing and receivables/payables financing. I also focus on operational excellence, regulatory compliance, risk management, process improvement and developing the knowledge and capabilities of my team.
What prompted you to enrol in the Global Trade Certificate (GTC), and what was your experience of the programme at that time?
Although I had many years of practical experience in trade finance, I wanted to strengthen my technical and theoretical knowledge and validate my experience against internationally recognised trade finance principles.
The GTC gave me the opportunity to step back from day-to-day operations and understand the broader trade finance framework. I found the programme very valuable because it connected the practical situations I encounter at work with international rules, practices and industry standards.
Balancing studies with a demanding full-time role was challenging, but it also made the online learning much more meaningful as I could immediately relate the concepts to my daily work.
Global Trade Certificate (GTC)
Looking back, how did the GTC’s foundational curriculum prepare you for the more advanced curriculum in the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme?
The GTC provided me with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of global trade finance, which made the transition into the CTFP programme much smoother.
It also helped me build a structured understanding of trade products, international trade practices, risk, compliance, and the different parties involved in a trade transaction.
When I progressed to the CTFP level, I was able to build on that foundation and look at trade finance from a more holistic and strategic perspective, rather than focusing only on individual transactions.
For me, the GTC was an important stepping stone that gave me the confidence to take on the more advanced CTFP curriculum. To be honest, I challenged myself and was able to complete the CTFP course in just three months, even though the standard duration for completion is six months.
What was your motivation for enrolling on the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification? What problems or obstacles did you face that you needed the CTFP certification to help with?
My main motivation was continuous professional development. After many years in trade finance, I wanted to challenge myself, deepen my expertise and continue growing professionally, rather than becoming too comfortable with my existing experience.
One of the challenges in trade finance is that practical experience alone is not always enough. The industry continues to evolve with changing regulations, digitalisation, new trade products, sanctions requirements, ESG and increasing expectations around risk and compliance.
The CTFP journey has helped me strengthen my knowledge, connect practical experience with International best practices, and become more confident when dealing with complex trade finance matters.
What has been the biggest benefit so far of completing the CTFP?
Earning the CTFP has significantly strengthened my confidence during client engagements. The biggest benefit has been the confidence and depth of knowledge it has given me.
The programme has encouraged me to look beyond simply completing a transaction and consider the wider implications, including risk, compliance, regulations, operational efficiency and the different perspectives of banks, corporates and other parties involved in international trade.
It has also encouraged me to share knowledge with my colleagues and contribute more effectively to process improvements, training, coaching and standardisation within my team. Most importantly, it has reinforced my belief that learning should never stop, regardless of how many years of experience we have.
How has your CTFP certification been received locally by your employer, colleagues, and customers in your country and/or region?
The certification has been positively received by my colleagues and professional network, particularly because it demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a high level of professional knowledge in trade finance.
Within my organisation, I have been able to apply what I have learned to my daily work, particularly in areas such as risk management, regulatory compliance, process improvement and knowledge sharing. It has also strengthened my professional credibility when working with colleagues across different teams and regions.
I believe the real value of a certification is not only the qualification itself, but also how we apply the knowledge to improve our work and share it with others.
