Bringing Passion and Joy to Trade

Trade Finance Career Spotlights: A.T.M. Nesarul Hoque

From his early days in banking, A.T.M. Nesarul Hoque’s attraction to trade has grown into a deep and enduring passion for trade. Whether leading or learning, Hoque, in his current role as Executive Vice President at Mutual Trust Bank in Bangladesh, remains fully engaged in advancing its prosperity and confronting the arising substantial challenges to trade. 

Looking back, how did you first come into this business — and what do you think originally drew you to it? 

It all happened by chance. My first job was as a commercial officer back in 2003, which marked my initial foray into the world of documentary credits. Since then, I've never looked back. The first thing that captured my attention was the concept of a universal language in trade. Terms used in trade are universal, providing uniform meanings that define expected behaviors of counterparts. Transactional steps are generally sequential and provide a clear risk/return trade-off, regardless of the involved parties and banks from different countries or jurisdictions.

I was lucky as well. I met a few passionate trade professionals along the line. All of them have made a huge contribution on me to solidify my passion for trade.

Over the course of your career, what has changed most in how you see the industry or your role within it?

Throughout my career in banking, I have observed significant changes in both the industry and my role within it.

Over the years, I have witnessed the industry evolve in various ways, including the expansion of trade-based financial crime compliance, the development of dynamic sanction programs, the impact of de-risking, the increasing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in trade finance, and of course, the inevitable the rise of digitalization in trade.

My role has also evolved significantly in two main dimensions. One of the first is my journey as a trade banker; I began as a team member in trade services operations and now lead the division. Additionally, I have taken on responsibilities overseeing the bank's financial institutions affairs.

My passion for the industry drives the second dimension of my career. I have written numerous articles, co-authored several books, and actively participated in multiple working groups with local, regional, and international bodies. This would not have been possible without the sheer guidance and inspiration from the industry experts throughout my career so far. Taking this opportunity, I want to “Thank” them all for their unwavering support. 

What has kept you engaged in this field over the long term, even as the work and the rules have evolved?

Trade finance is always dynamic and engaging. Interacting with customers and addressing their needs for providing financing, mitigating risk, and ensuring compliance has evolved beyond a simple checklist task. Additionally, the impacts of COVID-19, uncertain geopolitical tensions, and conflict situations directly affect international operations, regardless of the size of the business. As a professional trade banker, new events, coming from daily customer needs, keep me busy. Finding solutions to problems brings happiness. 

As a passionate trade finance student, meeting trade experts, writing articles, working on projects, commenting on various queries, and joining numerous local and international programs keep me engaged joyfully.

From your vantage point today, what do you think the industry gets right — and what do you think it still struggles with?

Global uncertainty poses significant challenges to international trade. In the past, many of these challenges were manageable because they could be anticipated and addressed with appropriate actions. However, recent challenges have emerged suddenly and unexpectedly, making them much harder to predict.

In these uncertain times, all players in the supply chain—whether physical, financial, or informational—are becoming more inter-connected and layered. Physical supply chains provide greater clarity and visibility throughout the entire process, financial supply chains offer more innovative products to meet customer demands, and information supply chains are becoming faster and more digital. When combined with comprehensive support systems, international trade can remain resilient. This is the point where the industry gets right. 

However, there is a paradox to consider. While resilience in our trading systems has been achieved, it has largely come at the expense of shifting trading partners, primarily driven by geopolitical issues rather than purely business considerations. This represents a significant paradigm shift. As a result, our trade has become more frictional, leading to unwelcome disruptions and complications in trading practices, ultimately creating a divide. This situation poses substantial obstacles to conducting business effectively for everyone, everywhere, every day. In other words, earlier trade was a symbol of prosperity; now it is a combination of prosperity and weapons. This second part is greatest struggle and has thwarted prosperity through trade in recent times.

Is there a particular moment, case, deal, or decision that meaningfully shaped how you approach your work now?
 

I feel fortunate to have experienced this defining moment early in my career. I began working at a commercial firm as a novice commercial officer, where I made some unintentional mistakes largely due to my lack of practical experience. I realized that I needed to learn ICC rules more deeply to run my desk. Since that day, I have been a student of international trade. This lifelong commitment to learning keeps me intellectually alert at all times. Along this continuous journey, every moment, case, transaction, and decision either inspires new thinking or deepens my experience.

What responsibility do experienced professionals have to the next generation entering trade finance and compliance?

It is an interesting question. The next generation is unlike us. They are certainly smarter than us. They want everything within a fingertip's reach. Many of the complexities we face now may not be a concern for them tomorrow. Their challenges or priorities in the trade finance and compliance space may differ from ours today. However, trade is a timeless and vital topic that is essential for the prosperity of any economy, jurisdiction, tribe, bloc, or country. Our main responsibility is to inspire them to stay longer in the trade space. We need to ignite their passion for trade—whether in finance, compliance, or any other related field—so that their interests will guide them to achieve their goals.

Fun one to end: What’s the last song you listened to on repeat?

All 90s Bangla band music fascinates me every day: LRB, Warfaze, Souls, Feedback, Renessa, Miles, and Winning bands' songs keep repeating on my list.