Punit Padhiar

Senior KYC and Financial Crime professional with extensive experience across corporate banking, global markets/treasury and financial institutions (banking & non-banking). Currently operating at Assistant Vice President level, with a proven track record of leading complex KYC, CDD/EDD, and PEP assessments, managing regulatory remediation, and acting as a trusted subject matter expert to various stakeholders such as Compliance, Front Office, and Operations. Highly skilled in stakeholder engagement, translating regulatory requirements into practical business solutions, and driving delivery under strict regulatory and commercial deadlines.

Recognised for strong leadership capability, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders while maintaining the highest standards of risk management and governance. Currently seeking progression into a Vice President leadership role within a BFSI division or KYC consulting.

Assistant Vice President, Middle Office - United Overseas Bank (UOB) - City of London, UK

(2021-01)

• Provide senior leadership for Middle Office activities across Corporate Banking, Global Markets/Treasury, and Financial Institutions, by setting standards for KYC, AML, onboarding and review qualities across the branch
• The primary escalation points for complex, high-risk, and sensitive client cases, exercising sound judgement and a risk-based approach to decision-making in line with regulatory and business expectations
• Lead the end-to-end client onboarding and periodic review framework, ensuring timely delivery, consistent risk assessment, and adherence to internal policies and regulatory requirements
• Chair monthly KYC and business risk meetings, driving accountability for review cycles, identifying emerging risks, and ensuring effective follow-through on agreed actions
• Influence and partner with senior stakeholders across Compliance, Front Office, and Operations, translating regulatory requirements into practical, workable processes that support both risk management and client services
• Ownership of the development, implementation, and maintenance of KYC procedures and controls, embedding best practice and consistency across all business units
• Working alongside Compliance on regulatory change and remediation initiatives, including audit findings, policy updates, and system enhancements. Leading the Front Office and ensuring outcomes are delivered within agreed timelines
• Oversee FATCA and CRS governance, ensuring robust client classification, accurate data capture, and effective coordination with Operations department
• Coach and upskill colleagues and stakeholders on KYC and Financial Crime requirements through formal training sessions and ongoing advisory support
• Represent the Middle Office department in cross-departmental meetings, proactively managing deadlines, dependencies, and regulatory commitments
• Build and maintain effective relationships with external parties including clients, fund managers, legal advisors, and finance, providing authoritative guidance on sensitive information and documentation, and process requirements

Credit Executive - HSBC, Global Private Bank - Mayfair, London, UK

(2018-06 - 2020-12)

• Provided senior-level credit and documentation support to relationship managers and credit advisors across the EMEA Private Banking client base, enabling the efficient delivery of complex lending solutions
• Acted as a key coordination point between Front Office, Credit Compliance, Legal and Client Lifecycle Management (CLM) teams, ensuring alignment and timely progression of credit transactions
• Played a pivotal role in establishing and embedding an offshore support team in Manila as part of HSBC's global operating model, contributing to process design, knowledge transfer, and ongoing management oversight
• Oversaw the processing and review of security documentation, facility letters, and account opening materials, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to internal credit and legal standards
• Supported continuous improvement initiatives by identifying inefficiencies in credit documentation and onboarding processes, contributing to enhanced turnaround times and risk control
• Built effective working relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple functions, maintaining a high level of professionalism and discretion when dealing with high net-worth clients and sensitive transactions

Senior Customer Service Officer - HSBC, Retail Branch Network (Global Private Bank/Premier Relationship) - Pall Mall, London, UK

(2015-11 - 2018-06)

• Led client onboarding and due diligence activities for retail, Premier, and high net-worth Private Banking individuals
• Acted as a trusted point of contact for complex onboarding and documentation queries, liaising regularly with high-risk approvals and sanctions teams to resolve issues efficiently
• Provided constructive feedback and informal coaching to peers to support performance, quality standards, and consistently improve key performance metrics
• Contributed ideas to improve team engagement, morale, and operational effectiveness, supporting a positive and encouraging working environment

Certificate in Compliance - Compliance - International Compliance Association (2017-05)

BTEC National Certificate: IT Practitioners - IT - Shooters Hill Post 16 (2008-06)