Trade finance is one of the most dynamic areas of banking, crucial for global economic growth and stability. And whilst it may once have been a male-dominated field, women in trade finance are increasingly taking centre stage and driving change to help the industry meet the needs of the modern trade environment.
We look at the career journeys of three women with successful careers in trade finance and hear how their dedication, commitment to education, and personal initiative has helped them to the forefront of the industry.
Meydia Meydia: from pharmaceuticals to trade finance
Meydia Meydia initially worked in a pharmaceutical company in Indonesia, but she switched to banking when she secured a position as a management trainee in trade finance with Standard Chartered.
After a colleague emphasised the importance of recognised qualifications for a career in trade finance, Meydia decided to return to study to boost her expertise. She went on to complete five LIBF qualifications, including the Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS), the Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees (CSDG), and the Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC).
Her commitment to education not only enhanced her professional skills but also helped to open up new opportunities, emphasising the role of continuous learning in achieving career success. Meydia now works with demand guarantees at HSBC.
“I didn’t actually take the exams for the promotions – though I’ve been promoted several times,” she says. “I like to learn, to boost my ability and my knowledge. It gives me a better work-life balance to study alongside my daily work – even though the courses are related to my career.”
Huan Zhang: embracing lifelong learning
Huan Zhang began working as a bank teller at the Agricultural Bank of China in 2012, after graduating with a degree in International Economy and Trade from Henan Normal University. She worked in several different posts over the following five years, before focusing on a career in trade finance.
Zhang committed to building her professional expertise early on, studying several LIBF qualifications, including:
- Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees (CSDG)
- Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS)
- Certificate in Trade Based Financial Crime Compliance (CTFC)
- Certificate in Supply Chain Finance (CSCF)
- Certificate in Trade and Finance (CITF)
- Certificate in Principles of Payments (Cert PAY)
Zhang’s remarkable commitment to education meant she also eventually qualified for our Diploma for Qualified Trade Finance Specialists (QTFS). Her journey through multiple certifications allowed her to expand her skillset and ultimately helped her advance to a role at the bank’s head office, underlining the importance of qualifications in career progression.
“Unlike studying at school, learning alongside a full-time job is about practical aims. I learnt things that were directly applicable to what I needed to solve for in my work. For example, studying for CSCF meant I was better able to use financing and risk mitigation to help my clients manage the working capital and liquidity in their supply chain processes and transactions,” she says.
Mrs Xu Yi: keeping up to date with developments in trade finance
Mrs Xu Yi, Trade Operations Manager at National Australia Bank Limited in China, has spent 23 years in trade finance and views the industry as crucial for improving global living standards.
“Global trade finance is what makes it possible for people to get what they need at a good price. This is what makes working in trade finance and transaction banking so interesting,” says Mrs Xu Yi.
Since 2013, Mrs Xu Yi has pursued and completed five trade finance qualifications, starting with the industry-standard Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS). She continued her education with several other LIBF certifications including the Certificate in International Trade and Finance (CITF) and the Certificate in Trade Finance Compliance (CTFC). Mrs Xu Yi is also a Qualified Trade Finance Specialist (QTFS).
Mrs Xu Yi’s commitment to ongoing education is driven by her desire to stay current with international trade developments and to better manage trade-related risks. She advises those in her field to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, emphasising that a continuous and passionate approach to learning not only increases professional capability but also makes the learning process more interesting and fulfilling.
Shaping the future of trade finance
Women like Meydia, Huan, and Mrs Xu Yi are not just participants in trade finance; they are leaders shaping the future of the industry.
Their stories also show that in trade finance, as in many areas of banking, the path to success is increasingly marked by a commitment to lifelong learning and adaptability. Their achievements serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that skilled, knowledgeable individuals can have on the global economic landscape.