Snapshot of our CTFP alumni
| Name | Md Tarequl Islam |
| Job title | First Assistant Vice President |
| Md Tarequl Islam’s profile | |
| Based in | Bangladesh |
| Organisation | National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC |
Md Tarequl completed the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme to deepen his trade finance knowledge and strengthen his ability to contribute at a more strategic level within his bank.
In his responses, he reflects on the growing complexity of international trade – from tighter compliance expectations to evolving instruments and structures – and the value of having a clear, standardised grounding in ICC rules and global best practice.
He also describes how the certification has improved his confidence in analysing risk, challenging assumptions when needed, and making faster, more informed decisions on real transactions.
What is your role and who do you work for?
I am a First Assistant Vice President at National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC in Bangladesh.
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 primary motivation for enrolling in the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification was to bridge a critical knowledge gap and enhance my strategic capacity within the Financial Institutions Department at the National Credit and Commerce Bank PLC.
The specific problems I faced included:
- Increasing complexity of international trade: The landscape of trade finance is rapidly evolving, with new regulations (such as AML/CFT and sanctions compliance), digital developments (including Bank Payment Obligations – BPOs), and increasingly complex supply chain financing structures. I needed a structured and comprehensive body of knowledge to move beyond routine transaction processing and to understand the “why” behind the rules and the “how” of emerging trends.
- Strategic decision-making in the FI department: Our role is not limited to executing letters of credit or processing remittances. It also involves managing correspondent banking relationships, assessing country risk, and structuring transactions that mitigate risk for both NCC Bank and our partner institutions. I felt that deeper, certified expertise was necessary to contribute more effectively to these strategic discussions.
- Standardised knowledge versus ad-hoc experience: Much of my knowledge was developed through on-the-job experience, which, whilst valuable, can be ad hoc and sometimes inconsistent. The CTFP offered a globally recognised, standardised curriculum from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which sets key rules for trade finance (such as UCP 600 and URR 725). This was important to ensure my work aligned with international best practice, reducing operational and reputational risk for the bank.
- Need for a competitive edge: In Bangladesh’s competitive banking sector, a globally recognised certification such as the CTFP helps distinguish an individual. It signals serious professional commitment to both management and external stakeholders, strengthening my credibility when negotiating with correspondent banks or advising corporate clients on complex trade structures.
In essence, the CTFP has helped me move from being primarily a processor of trade transactions to becoming a strategic adviser and a more effective risk manager in trade finance.
What has been the biggest benefit so far of completing the CTFP?
The biggest benefit has been a significant improvement in my ability to independently assess and mitigate complex risks in trade transactions, enabling faster and more confident decision-making.
Recently, our department reviewed a proposal for a revolving credit facility backed by a standby letter of credit (LC) for a corporate client involved in international procurement. The structure was complex, involving a performance guarantee and a demand guarantee issued by a foreign bank.
Before completing the CTFP, my analysis might have relied more on precedent and a checklist-based approach. After completing the certification, I was able to:
- Deconstruct the transaction: Clearly identify the roles and obligations of all parties under ICC standards, including ISP98 for the standby LC.
- Identify key risks: Pinpoint risks that were not immediately obvious, such as the independence principle risk (where the issuing bank’s obligation is independent of the underlying contract) and the potential for wrongful calling of the demand guarantee.
- Provide confident recommendations: Prepare a detailed risk assessment memo and recommend specific, precise wording to be included in our agreement with the client to protect the bank’s interests, drawing directly on standard ICC practices covered in the course. I was also able to question the issuing bank’s risk parameters with confidence.
As a result, my recommendations were accepted by senior management with minimal revision. The transaction was structured more securely, and my proactive approach was commended in a departmental meeting. This was a clear example of applying CTFP knowledge to a real-world, high-value transaction and adding tangible value to the bank’s operations.
How has your CTFP certification been received locally by your employer, colleagues and customers in your country and/or region?
The reception has been overwhelmingly positive and has clearly strengthened my professional standing.
- Within NCC Bank PLC, the certification has been recognised as a strong indicator of serious professional development. My Division Head mentioned it during my most recent performance review, noting that it aligns closely with the bank’s strategy to deepen expertise in specialised banking areas. It has also positioned me as a reliable point of reference in the department for clarifying issues related to ICC rules.
- Among colleagues, it has increased confidence in my guidance on day-to-day trade finance matters. Officers from both my department and the branch network regularly consult me on LC discrepancies and document handling. For example, I recently advised on a complex bill of lading issue involving transhipment, and by referencing the relevant UCP 600 articles, I was able to resolve the uncertainty quickly and clearly.
- With customers and correspondent banks, the qualification has strengthened my credibility in negotiations and technical discussions. In one instance, while discussing a reimbursement claim under a confirmed LC with a correspondent bank’s trade operations team, I cited the relevant URR 725 provision to support our position. Referring to a globally accepted ICC rule shifted the conversation to an objective, rule-based resolution, and the issue was settled efficiently.
In the survey, the interviewee reported that the CTFP has increased their credibility and confidence and has qualified them for new projects or responsibilities. They also indicated improved job security, increased visibility to recruiters and employers, and increased knowledge of trade finance.
