Learn how to sell, deliver and process global trade finance solutions with our advanced, professional certificate
Why take this certificate:
Expand your career options:
Stay certified and qualify yourself for senior trade finance positions at leading banks and financial institutions where the CTFP is often a pre-requisite to be considered for the job
Be more confident with clients:
100% of CTFP graduates said they felt more confident at work after completing the course. Use your new expertise to take an active role in educating your colleagues and proposing solutions to your clients
Become the trade finance expert:
The CTFP is an advanced level professional certificate that will give you an in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of trade finance solutions. Our students are sometimes the first people at their institution to hold this qualification
Get internationally recognised:
The CTFP is an ICC, industry-leading trade finance qualification, accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance as well as the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore.
100 years of experience:
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), has been defining commercial rules for the last century and our courses are created by an unrivalled roster of international experts
24/7 access:
All our courses are online meaning they can be taken at any time of day, from anywhere in the world. Learn at your own pace
These Companies Use CTFP To Train Their Staff
Overview
Holders of the following certificates from the London Institute of Banking and Finance – Certificate for Documentary Credit Specialists (CDCS); Certificate for Specialists in Demand Guarantees (CSDG); Certificate in Trade and International Finance (CITF) – as well as the ICC Academy’s own GTC programme, can now receive credit points towards recertification.
The Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP) will give students an in-depth knowledge of trade finance products. Using detailed case studies (16 in total) and an emphasis on real-world scenarios, this intensive online programme focuses on key trade finance products, techniques and compliance issues.
The industry-validated syllabus was developed by a group of 13 leading trade finance experts drawn from ICC’s Banking Commission. Each course has been tailor-made to develop the skills needed to sell, deliver and process global trade finance solutions.
WHAT STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE CTFP
“The CTFP course has boosted my career prospects. Apart from earning a promotion late last year, I now possess the knowledge and expertise required to function effectively in all the key aspects of the trade finance business (operations, product development and sales). This has renewed opportunities for progression in my career. All these would not be possible without my exposure to the CTFP course.”
Muyiwa Esan
Access Bank, Nigeria
“I have noticed that the head hunter and people active in trade finance sector are more interested in my profile and I hope it can help me to grow up with a promotion or with a new role.”
Andrea Pagamici
BNP Paribas, Italy
“The core topics covered in CTFP were very relevant to my job scope in Transaction Banking sales and allowed me to be more confident when discussing these topics.”
Benny Lim
MUFG, Singapore
“Having completed the CTFP programme, I can now easily negotiate/facilitate any sorts of transactions clients propose.”
Mohammad Nasir
Southeast Bank, Bangladesh
“Banks’ involvement in International trade is quite different in the Pacific (Fiji) compared to my past experience in Sri Lanka. Introducing trade products to the bank staff as well as the customers continue to be a challenge. I needed to place my exposure in various areas of trade operations in context in a structured manner to be able to share knowledge. This course has provided that platform for me.”
Gayani Senewiratne
HFC Bank, Fiji
Certificate Structure
Total Courses
5 or 6 required)
Duration
45 Hours
Case Studies
16
Exam
60 min
Language
English
- This course will build on the basic understanding of the Asset Conversion Cycle (ACC) introduced in the Introduction to Trade Finance course
- Detailed explanations of the cash flow and working capital cycle of commercial companies of all sizes
- Gain a basic understanding of the terminology that is widely used to describe the meaning and functions of working capital
- A detailed review of documentary credits (letter of credit), from structuring and issuance to document verification to financing and settlement
- Gain a solid, practical understanding of the transaction lifecycle of a documentary credit
- Learn more about the issuance of guarantees, the use of counter guarantees and more complex transactions
- Take a closer look at the global standards, legal framework, and the proper application of guarantees from all sides.
- Learn the key role export credits and official export credit agencies play in international sales and its financing, particularly in developing nations
- Discover the associated risks, and the pros and cons for exporters, importers and lenders
- Gain an in-depth understanding of the key events in the physical supply chain, the parties involved in these events and their financial consequences
- Competently analyse financial consequences in terms of risk, funding, liquidity, payment flows and the needs of both finance provider and their client
- Explore the unmet and latent corporate needs not currently addressed by the supply chain finance product set and the principle innovations in discussion amongst banks, non-bank financiers and technology service providers
- Get to grips with the digital trade ecosystem including the advent of fintechs, the legal, regulatory and commercialisation challenges involved and the broad range of trends and solutions that are available to support international trade
- The course covers risk mitigation in the open account space, the digitisation of the financial supply chain and emerging technologies in digital trade finance
- Take an in-depth look at how standby letters of credit work, the purposes for which they can be used and the rules and regulations governing them
- Learn the importance of wording standby letters of credit properly and how to protect against problems
- Understand how to align the organization of your sales team and staffing model to your bank’s business strategy, target customer markets and sales coverage process.
- Learn best practice in trade finance revenue attribution and the complexities of measuring sales performance and customer revenue contribution
- Learn how to establish a sales process and develop metrics and objectives consistent with your desired business results
- Learn a bank manager’s role and responsibilities in handling trade finance products and a bank’s key functions in managing trade products on an on-going basis
- Learn the working model trade product managers should use to enhance and/or develop trade product
- Discover management philosophies to build a trade product management team
- This course will provide intermediate level bank officers with an overview of the key responsibilities of trade operations management
- Learn the range of skills required for long term success in the position, including production management and process management
- Commodity trade represents around 25% of world trade – this course will teach students the three types of commodities, their features and their respective risks
- Discover how the major players and trading houses in this sector are shaping supply chains
- Look at the function of commodities trading from a banker’s perspective and the various tools and documents required
- Live proctored via the internet
- The passing grade is 70% minimum. Upon passing the examination, learners will be issued an accredited certificate for the program
- You can then use the “CTFP” designation
- For details regarding international recognition (LIBF, WDA and IBF) visit our accreditation page.
- GTC and CITF holders will need to complete all core courses along with one CTFP elective (USD $200) to attain this CTFP qualification
- Candidates will earn 36 PDUs for their recertification requirement upon successful completion of the CTFP certification. (One elective mandatory for the CTFP certification requirement)
- CDCS and CSDG holders will need to complete all core courses to attain the CTFP qualification
- Candidates will earn 36 PDU’s for their CDCS and CSDG recertification requirement upon successful completion of this CTFP certification (all electives exempted from the CTFP certification requirement)
WHO is THIS Certificate FOR?

- Banks (Front Office)
- Confidently explain the importance of trade finance solutions and the structures that govern them – including bank guarantees, supply chain finance, standby letters of credit and more
- Understand the critical role of the trade finance sales person within the banking organization and how it is defined by the institution’s strategy and sales approach
- Get to grips with the fintech ecosystem and develop an enhanced awareness of the potential impact of new technologies such as blockchain and alternative finance providers
- Develop a balanced view of the effectiveness, scope, and scalability of current supply chain finance products and how to identify the right solution for your clients

- Banks (Back Office)
- Understand when to use UCP600, when to use ISP98, and when to use URDG758 in trade finance transactions
- Review a trade scenario and draft a standby letter of credit that will fit the needs of the applicant and beneficiary using clear language that avoids problems
- Explain the key elements that need to be included in every standby as well as elements that should be rejected

- Corporates
- Learn the commonly used terminologies to define, calculate and measure working capital and the cash conversion cycle, including what the ratios mean and how they can be influenced
- Explore the different forms of export credits and the international framework which applies to them (OECD – WTO) as well as the different stakeholders that are implied
- Identify the main participants and key events in the physical supply chain and develop an understanding of the financial consequences of these events
- Understand the different open account supply chain finance products and their applicability to different client needs across the supply chain

- Trade Sales / Product Managers
- Learn to control risk and fraud while complying with the growing regulatory requirements associated with international trade
- Learn the two major process management techniques, Six Sigma and LEAN, and their application in banking as a method of controlling distributed workflows
- Define the factors that determine the composition of a successful trade finance sales team and the requirements for the roles and responsibilities of the team members
- Confidently articulate an effective approach to sales planning and budgeting and the importance of alignment with bankers
CERTIFICATE AUTHORS
Founder & Managing Director of Cotti Trade & Treasury and Chairman of the Board for Bolero International
Senior Director, Head of Guarantees Department, Raiffeisen Bank International
Founder GPP, ex Global Head of Trade RBS, ex Managing Director Transaction Banking Citi
Certified Trade Finance Professional
Get started now:
CDCS & CSDG Holders:
USD $749
GTC Holders:
USD $749 + $200

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS Certificate
To take this consolidated version of the Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), you must be already certified via the ICC Academy’s Global Trade Certificate (GTC) or The London Institute of Banking and Finance’s (LIBF) CDCS, CSDG or CITF programmes.
Yes, all our certificates and individual courses are online and accessible at any time from anywhere in the world, meaning you can learn when and where you want. You have a total of 12 months to complete the course.
- One-year access to the certificate programme – 5 core CTFP courses – delivered exclusively online
- Interactive learning – 100 narrated videos, 125 assessment and quiz questions and transaction flow diagrams to help you grasp key concepts easily and review the course material
- 16 case studies – we’ll show you how to apply what you learn to real-world scenarios
- Lesson highlight summaries at the end of every lesson to recap what you have learned
- A timed one-hour online exam – if you pass (70%) you will receive an ICC Academy, industry-recognised certificate signed by the ICC Secretary General!
- Dedicated, full-time IT support
The Certified Trade Finance Professional is an advanced programme that targets new managers, product specialists as well as senior transactional bankers covering subjects matters from working capital to supply chain finance. It is also recommended as the next step in the learning pathways for CDCS or CSDG qualification holders. Add to that, CDCS and CSDG holders earn valuable PDUs toward recertification.
Each individual course will take between 3-5 learning hours depending on the level of expertise. Approximate total learning time for the full certificate programme is 20-25 hours.
Candidates will have 12 months to complete the certificate and take the final exam from date of purchase.
CDCS & CSDG Holders: To take the exam and earn the CTFP certificate you will need to complete five core CTFP courses. One attempt at the exam is included in the price. For multiple attempts you will need to purchase a retake.
GTC & CITF Holders: To take the exam and earn the CTFP certificate you will need to complete five core CTFP courses and one CTFP elective course (purchased seperately). One attempt at the exam is included in the price. For multiple attempts you will need to purchase a retake.
Please note that although the individual e-learning courses can be purchased separately they will not qualify you for the certification programme. YOU WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THE EXAM AND ATTAIN CERTIFICATION IF YOU PURCHASE THE FULL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME.
The final exams can be taken at any time after you have completed the prerequisites – 5 core courses. The programme only allows one attempt at the exam. If required, a retake can be purchased for USD $100, please contact our Help Desk at helpdesk@iccacademy.com.sg.
At the end of all our individual e-courses, we ask students to rate their experience from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating. We then take an average of all review scores from any of the 11 courses that makes up the CTFP to calculate the overall review score for the certificate programme.
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