Snapshot of our CTFP alumni
| Name | Sayed Muhammad Abdullahel Quafi |
| Job title | Senior Assistant Vice President |
| Sayed Quafi’s profile | |
| Based in | Bangladesh |
| Organisation | Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC |
With responsibilities spanning trade finance, international payments, and compliance – particularly sanctions/AML, SWIFT messaging, and ISO 20022 – Sayed Muhammad sought the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) programme to expand beyond technical execution into a more consultative, leadership-oriented role.
A recurring theme is integration: linking regulatory frameworks to treasury strategy, and translating complex requirements into practical decision on liquidity, FX risk, and working capital. The result has been increased credibility and influence across the bank, as well as stronger confidence from clients and correspondent partners in a rapidly evolving trade finance environment.
What is your role and who do you work for?
I am a Senior Assistant Vice President for the Dutch-Bangla Bank PLC.
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?
As an international banking professional specialising in trade finance and international payments, sanctions screening, AML, SWIFT messaging, and ISO 20022 compliance, I pursued the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification to strengthen my strategic capabilities across global treasury operations, UPAS LC transactions, SBLCs, demand guarantees, supply chain finance, and other cross-border trade solutions.
In my role at Dutch-Bangla Bank, I lead regulatory alignment, digital transformation initiatives, and the implementation of new opportunities for international business. While I had strong technical expertise in financial messaging standards and trade risk mitigation, I recognised the need to connect this knowledge with broader treasury disciplines such as liquidity and trade management, FX risk mitigation, and working capital optimisation.
The primary obstacle I faced was the fragmented link between technical compliance frameworks and strategic treasury decision-making. I also wanted to improve how I communicate with executive stakeholders and contribute to policy development and transformation roadmaps with greater authority.
The CTFP provided a structured and comprehensive foundation in trade finance and treasury best practice, enabling me to translate complex regulatory and financial concepts into actionable insights.
It has significantly enhanced my capacity to design impactful financing products, support strategic planning, and contribute to the modernisation of global trade business models within the bank.
What has been the biggest benefit so far of completing the CTFP?
The most significant benefit of completing the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification has been the strategic elevation of my role within the bank.
It has enabled me to move beyond technical execution and regulatory interpretation into a more consultative and leadership-oriented capacity.
With the CTFP framework, I now approach global payments and compliance, liquidity structures, and related initiatives through a broader treasury lens – integrating financial strategy, risk management, and operational efficiency. This has strengthened my ability to contribute to executive decision-making, lead cross-functional transformation projects, and design new products that combine sound financing structures with technical precision and strategic relevance.
Overall, the certification has expanded my knowledge base and reinforced my credibility as a bridge between business, compliance, and technology teams.
How has your CTFP certification been received locally by your employer, colleagues, and customers in your country and/or region?
The Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) certification has been met with strong recognition and respect within my professional environment in Bangladesh. At Dutch-Bangla Bank, it has reinforced my position as a subject matter expert in international trade finance – particularly across UPAS LCs, DFI management, supply chain finance, SBLCs and demand guarantees, SWIFT messaging, ISO 20022 adoption, and global payments compliance.
My employer has acknowledged the value of the CTFP in strengthening our internal capabilities, especially as we navigate increasingly complex regulatory requirements and digital transformation initiatives.
Among colleagues, the certification has generated interest in its structured approach to trade finance and has supported more informed collaboration across compliance, operations, and business development teams. It has also improved the quality of the internal training programmes I lead, providing globally benchmarked insights that are both practical and strategic.
From a client and correspondent banking perspective, the CTFP credential has strengthened trust and credibility.
Customers and partners recognise it as a mark of professionalism and global alignment, which is particularly important in a region where trade finance is evolving rapidly to meet international standards.
Overall, the CTFP has positioned me as a forward-thinking trade finance leader, able to bridge technical expertise with strategic advisory.
