Yahya Salama

Strategic and performance-driven banking leader with over 18 years of experience in digital banking operations, cards business management, and payments transformation across top-tier financial institutions. Expert in driving digital value propositions, optimizing operational frameworks, and delivering end-to-end cards lifecycle excellence across debit, credit, prepaid, and virtual portfolios. Demonstrated success in P&L management, process automation, and vendor governance, with a proven ability to align operational strategy with business growth and regulatory compliance.

Recognized for building high-performing teams and leading large-scale transformation programs that advance innovation, efficiency, and customer experience.

• AVP-Digital Operations Head | National Bank of Kuwait – Cairo, Egypt (06/2024 – Present)
• Spearheading the establishment of a new digital banking operations framework under the bank’s Digital Platform initiative.
• Designed and implemented end-to-end operational models, back-office structures, and process workflows to support the digital value proposition.
• Developed and institutionalized operational policies, SLAs, and governance protocols, ensuring compliance, scalability, and service excellence.
• Driving automation, process reengineering, and innovation initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and strengthen control environments.
• Managing vendor negotiations and performance monitoring to optimize partnerships and achieve operational synergies.
• Collaborating across functions and group operations to align digital processes with enterprise strategy and business objectives.

• Head Of Cards Center – One Bank- (formerly) Misr digital Innovation | Cairo, Egypt (10/2020 – 06/2024)
• Leading, architect and managing the credit, debit and prepaid cards initiate over the CMS as a domain of the bank digital innovation program, performing the GAP analysis and design the optimum solution to mitigate the requirements.
• Lead the Card operations (Credit, Debit & multi-currency Prepaid Cards), POS and ATM acquiring business, Risk and Project management during my stint. 

• Fraud Monitoring – Analysis of customer behavior, decline transactions, country specific analysis using Visa Advance authorization (VAA) and Visa Risk Manager (VRM).
• Authorization – Risk based authorization for Credit, Debit and Prepaid products.
• Chargeback – Improving chargeback efficiency and customer dispute handling within timeframes.
• Card production – Maintaining TAT for all the card production centrally and supporting branches for de-centralized setup for all Card types.
• Settlement and Reconciliation of Visa & MasterCard.
• Accounts Maintenance & channel co-ordination – Supporting channels for supporting key clients and blank card inventory replenishment.
• RCSA & KRI’s: Operations risk management for Card business.
• New Card Management system: Migration of Card management system for Credit Debit and Prepaid cards.
• Fraud Monitoring / Visa Advanced Authorization (VAA) & Visa Risk Manager (VRM) – Implementation of VAA/ VRM system to monitor and control high risk transactions on Debit and Credit cards.
• MIS and Reporting – Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly reporting of Key indicators like Gross Income, Authorization trend, card issuance, fraud trend for all stakeholders.

• Define and execute the strategic direction for the cards business, covering debit, credit, prepaid, virtual, and co-branded cards.
• Align the cards strategy with the bank’s overall retail, commercial, and digital banking goals.
• Forecast volumes, revenue, and expenses to support business planning.
• Own the P&L for the cards division—manage revenue streams, cost optimization, and profitability targets.
• Directed card operations, risk, and compliance frameworks, ensuring full alignment with scheme and regulatory standards.
• Led migration and modernization of card management systems, enabling enhanced product agility and service reliability.
• Introduced alternative lending and loyalty programs, driving customer engagement and portfolio diversification.
• Strengthening fraud prevention, dispute management, and authorization controls, improving resilience and operational integrity.
• Built and led a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partnered with fintech, processors, and scheme networks to advance digital payments strategy and ecosystem integration.
• Direct and manage a 3rd party supplier responsible for loyalty engine, online and contact centers to ensure operational SLAs are met, whilst delivering cost efficiencies for the organization.

• cards technicality & operation senior Manager – Attijariwafa bank Egypt (Barclays Bank Previously) | Cairo, Egypt (09/2018 – 10/2020)
• Directed the strategic roadmap for card operations and technology platforms, including CMS, switches, acquiring, and issuance systems.
• Led successful migration to PowerCARD and drove innovation across contactless, tokenization, 3DS, and digital wallet technologies.
• Partner with product and business teams to launch new products and enhance a seamless customer experience.
• Oversaw end-to-end system lifecycle management, ensuring stability, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Strengthened vendor management and SLA frameworks, delivering measurable improvements in uptime and service quality.
• Championed automation and process redesign initiatives, achieving tangible cost reductions and productivity gains.
• Partnered with Finance and Risk to manage pricing, projections, and profitability across card portfolios.
• led relationships with processors, personalization bureaus, card schemes, and courier partners.

• Cards Technicality & Operation Manager –Barclays Bank | Cairo, Egypt (12/2013 – 09/2018)
• Led multiple regional card transformation projects across Egypt, Tanzania, and Mozambique, including EMV chip migration and platform modernization.
• Managed credit card system migrations and process reengineering, enhancing scalability and compliance with Visa and regulatory standards.
• Collaborated across business and technology units to design new products, loyalty programs, and alternative lending propositions.
• Improved operational workflows, vendor SLAs, and automation, achieving faster time-to-market and reduced error rates.
• Supported business lines in P&L management, campaign performance, and product lifecycle optimization.
• Strengthened controls through risk assessments, PCI-DSS compliance, and proactive incident resolution processes.
• Partner with the compliance team to meet regulatory reporting requirements.
• Development and management of new, innovative Alternative Lending Products through the execution of product, testing, pricing, promotional pilots and roll outs and execution of key loyalty initiatives as well as the overall management of world miles.
• Direct and manage a third party supplier responsible for loyalty engine, online and call center to ensure operational SLAs are met, whilst delivering cost efficiencies for the bank.
• Run redemption campaigns, working with Marketing and Analytics to drive better insights on customer behaviors.
• Work with Finance and product team on pricing, re-pricing, projections, tracking and Effectively managed the P&L.
• Accountable for enhancing and driving existing alternative lending programs (such as in-store financing), and as well for the development and launch of innovative new lending products that together will deliver significant value to both bank Tire customers and shareholders.
• Manage customer experience requirements, growth strategies, engagement strategies and retention.
• Managing all interfaces for cards and ensure systems interfaces continue to meet requirements and Performing UAT for new systems and products.
• Design end-to-end process for new products and service related to credit / Debit cards and recommends changes to increase efficiency.
• Monitoring and supervising all operational daily activities, analysis activities & Quarterly CBE reports for both Debit and Credit cards products through the direct reporting, and Ensure existing controls related to card operations are maintained / strive to continuously tightening controls and adhere to the organization's financial, policy and business strategies.
• Assigned as a credit cards consultant over retail and operations for 6 months to Barclays Tanzania in Feb. 2016:
  • Appointed to lead the strategic direction and execution of the Commercial Cards business, driving innovation and operational excellence.
  • Directed front-end product design, P&L management, and customer experience enhancement, aligning business initiatives with strategic growth goals.
  • Streamlined product lifecycle processes, improved cross-functional collaboration, and strengthened governance standards.
  • Managed functional design and stakeholder communication across business and technology units to ensure alignment and execution efficiency.
  • Developed and monitored marketing campaigns, pricing strategies, and performance benchmarks, boosting product profitability and competitive positioning.
  • Conduct training on products, and update content for new features and enhancements. 
  • Worked with various vendors, including Visa and Printing company, to create reporting, monitor and improve performance.
  • Provide subject-matter expertise, understanding of consumer trends, competitive & market analysis and potential linkages to other Business units. 

• Assigned to Manage Barclays bank Mozambique's Credit cards system since July 2015:
  • Led the migration of the credit card portfolio to a new management platform, including EMV chip technology implementation (Chip & PIN and Chip & Signature).
  • Coordinated multi-country teams to redesign operational processes and introduce thermal personalization technology, achieving cost savings and improved customer experience.
  • Delivered robust operational and compliance frameworks to support new system functionality and ensure seamless transition.
  • Work with cross-functional team to develop new processes for credit card cycle.

• Cards operation Team Leader –Barclays Bank | Cairo, Egypt (01/2010 – 12/2013)
• Cards operation Officer –Barclays Bank | Cairo, Egypt (12/2006 – 01/2010)
• Front line Accountant – British Council | Cairo, Egypt (04/2006 – 12/2006)
• Internal Auditor Assistant – Wadi Holding | Cairo, Egypt (11/2005 – 03/2006)

Bachelor of Commerce - Accountancy section - Cairo University | July 2005