Payment Analyst (Swift)

Position: Payment Analyst

Location: Cincinnati, OH – Onsite

Type of Employment: 12+ Months Contract

Role Description:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and customer-focused Payment Processor / Payment Investigations Analyst to join our Payments Operations team. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of SWIFT payments, investigations, reconciliations, and correspondent banking operations. This role requires extensive interaction with internal stakeholders and external financial institutions to ensure timely and accurate resolution of payment-related inquiries.

The successful candidate will be responsible for handling payment investigations, reconciling accounts, resolving exceptions, and ensuring adherence to operational controls and regulatory requirements while delivering exceptional client service.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve payment inquiries related to SWIFT message types including MT103, MT202, MT110, MT199, MT299, and other payment-related communications.
• Perform end-to-end payment investigations to identify root causes and ensure timely resolution of client and banking queries.
• Communicate with correspondent and external banks through SWIFT messaging platforms and client systems.
• Follow up with financial institutions regarding payment confirmations, fund recalls, beneficiary details, and transaction resolutions.
• Coordinate with internal operational teams, treasury, settlements, compliance, and customer service groups to expedite query resolution.
• Review and reconcile Nostro accounts, ensuring outstanding debit and credit entries are investigated and cleared within established service levels.
• Monitor payment queues and investigation cases to meet productivity, quality, and turnaround time targets.
• Maintain compliance with internal controls, operational procedures, risk frameworks, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide professional support to clients through phone, email, and other communication channels.
• Prepare operational reports, management information system (MIS) reports, and client-facing metrics.
• Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and improve service delivery.
• Document investigations clearly and maintain accurate records for audit and compliance purposes.
• Participate in ongoing training and process enhancement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in Payments Operations, Banking Operations, Wire Transfer Processing, Payment Investigations, or Reconciliation.
• Strong knowledge of:
• SWIFT Messaging (MT103, MT202, MT110, MT199, MT299)
• International Payments and Correspondent Banking
• Payment Investigations
• Nostro Reconciliations
• Funds Recall Processes
• Clearing and Settlement Systems
• Experience working in a high-volume transactional environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and standard reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting global payment operations.
• Knowledge of wire transfers, cross-border payments, and treasury operations.
• Familiarity with banking regulations, risk controls, and compliance requirements.
• Experience preparing operational dashboards, KPI reporting, and client presentations.