Anwaar Ahmed

A Business Technology Specialist with multi segment exposure in customer experience transformation, change management, managing innovative products and life cycles, delivering digital transformational projects with 24+ years of experience in the financial technology sector. Currently serving as Senior Vice President - Head of Digital Products & Enablement at Samba Bank Pakistan Ltd.

• Successful track record to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines whilst at the same time comprehending complex and interdependent business processes.
• Well versed in design, systems analysis, development, program / project management lifecycle across different banking applications.
• An expert having keen understanding of Project / Client Requirements coupled with hands-on exposure in handling all phases of Project / Program Life Cycle.
• On hand experienced in domain like Product Development, Program Management, Information Security, Policy / Compliance.

An industry expert with a profound comprehension of Information Security and a wealth of knowledge in service offerings such as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS within the realm of Cloud Computing, as well as a keen grasp of the distinctions between monolithic and micro services architectures

C A R E E R G R A P H

Samba Bank Pakistan Limited ● Senior Vice President – Head of Digital Products & Enablement ● Jan 2023 till date

Accomplishments: -

• Led the implementation of a seamless Digital Customer Onboarding Mobile App & Web Portal integrated with third party services like NADRA & PMD along with a digital “Know Your Customer platform” to create “automated customer profile & risk”. 

Responsibilities: -

Digital Enablement Leadership: -

• Leading a team who is responsible for Digital/Allied applications implementations.
• Liaison with conventional businesses, digital unit for requirements gathering and scope of work finalization.
• Act as a point of contacts with vendors for system evaluation , acquisition and during implementation.
• Collaboration with stakeholders for regulatory, external and internal audits and compliance reviews.
• Plan and roll out user trainings for new systems.
• Deal with external entities & schemes such as MasterCard, 1Link etc. for respective program management & certifications.
• Periodic briefing/reviews with Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and Stakeholders on active Projects.

Digital Products leadership:-

• Spearhead digital channels & product team to develop, identify opportunities, build digital solutions and manage it in terms of cost and scope. 
• Implementation and management of RPA processes and technologies.
• Responsible for overseeing and optimizing the digital products portfolio like IB & MB, RAAST, RDA & Local digital onboarding and Cards. Driving revenue growth, and enhancing customer experiences.
• Responsible to launched innovative digital products, driving customer acquisition and transaction volume growth.
• Manage key KPIs for digital products to deliver growth targets. Conduct competitor benchmarking and assessment of product landscapes.

JS Bank Pakistan Limited ● Senior Vice President– Head of Digital Enablement ● Sept 2022 till Jan 2023

Accomplishments: -

• Led the migration of Bank in-house Credit Card System to Euronet as SAAS.
• Successfully concluded Microsoft Dynamics CRM version upgrade from 9.0 to 9.1.

 

Responsibilities: -

• Leading team responsible for end-to-end delivery of initiatives pertaining to ATM controller /Switch, Debit / Credit Cards and digital payment platforms like Internet banking, Mobile Banking, Cash Management, Home Remittance, Call Center & CRM etc. 
• Oversee team responsible for API development at Integration Buss level (IIB).
• Oversee team directly responsible for delivery of programs and projects.
• Liaison with conventional businesses, digital unit for requirements gathering and scope of work finalization.
• Coordinate with external vendors for projects.

Samba Bank Pakistan Limited ● Senior Vice President I – Head of Digital Enablement ● August 2021 till August 2022

Accomplishments: -

•  
• Successfully completed first phase of Digital Platform implementation program consisting of ATM controller / Switch and Debit Card migration. 
• Implemented Local Digital On-Boarding web portal as per regulatory framework.
• Launched as industry first Standalone App for remote bio-verifications using NADRA latest API.

 

Responsibilities: -

• Govern team responsible for end-to-end delivery of Digital initiatives. 
• Act as single point of contact for management of assessment of digital product with respect to viable technology acquisition implementation.
• Oversee team directly responsible for delivery of programs and projects.
• Liaison with conventional businesses, other digital units for requirements gathering and scope of work finalization.
• Development of Functional Specifications.
• Responsible for technology implementation and migration.
• Coordinate with external vendors for projects.
• Liaison with stakeholders to manage QA, SIT, UAT & Go-Live.
• Coordinate with other IT teams for:
• Local Development
• Integration
• Core Banking 
• Networks
• Infrastructure 
• Deal with external schemes such as MasterCard, 1Link etc. for respective program management & certifications.
• Provide system support, configuration and management after go-live. 

Samba Bank Pakistan Limited ● Vice President – Head of Allied Systems & Projects ● April 2019 till July 2021

 

Accomplishments: -

1. Digital :-

• Led implementation of Roshan Digital Account for overseas Pakistani a Flagship product by regulator for Overseas Pakistanis. 
• Launched bank tablet-based Account Opening system.
• Successfully launch QR / eTicketing / Food Ordering payments via bank mobile app.
• Led the implementation of local ecommerce platform via NIFT ePay.
• Launched regulatory required FX portal for customer request uptake and processing at bank end.

1. Payment Scheme: -

• Launched PayPak (Pakistan Domestic Payment Scheme) as an issuer.
• Launched EMV Chip and Pin based Master debit card.
• Implement 3DS secure platform to create security over ecommerce transactions conducted by bank customers.

1. ADCs: -

• Led the project of migration of bank hosted switch to on-prem model in just four (4) months of joining with major changes in Functional Specification and system architect structure as well as additional transactions flows.

1. Allied Systems: -

• Implemented bank new HR system.
• Implemented bank new Audit System.
• Implemented token based salary disbursement solution to non-bank blue color worker.
• Implemented second phase of bank’s cash management system.

 

Responsibilities: -

• Collaborate with Business, Process Owners and vendors for new initiatives involving IT, prioritized activities management, ironing out IT delivery constraints and gaining stakeholder commitments.
• Evaluate project financials based on business requirements, implementation and SLA support costs negotiations with vendors. Feedback to CIO for IT Budget and Cost Allocation Planning.
• Monitor and report on project budgets across the portfolio.
• Administer Applications Supportfunction through PM/SMteam for smoothfunctionality of Allied applications systems. Escalations for issues with product vendors for timely and effective resolutions. Change management impact assessment with PM/SM and change implementation.
• Apply Banking systems and delivery channels domain knowledge for Business process re-engineering, change implementation and Rollouts.
• Periodic briefing/reviews with CIO and Stakeholders on active Projects,Change Management activities and key production issues.
• Collaboration with stakeholders for SBP Audit, External Audits, Internal Audits and Compliance reviews of ITD and implementation of corrective actions for IT and IS review gaps.

Soneri Bank Limited ● Vice President – Alternate Delivery Channel & IT Operations ● Dec 2008 till April 2019

Head E-banking & Technology Operations: - Accomplishments: -

• Played a lead role in developing and implementing a road map of Mobile Financial Services platform one of its kind in country having Mobile App, Loyalty Program, One platform for m-ticketing, social media and QR-merchant payments.
• Significantly enhanced customer satisfaction through design and implementation of Internet Banking solution, SMS alert product to provide transaction base alert for E-Banking channels.
• Led bank’s magnetic strip VISA debit card migration to EMV base Debit Master Card.
• Led implementation of EMV compliance across bank’s ATM network.
• Played a lead role in selecting and implementing a hosted Call Centre Solution which is be first of its kind model in Country’s banking Industry thus not only acquire a world renowned Call Centre solution but also enabled bank to have a customer’s 360-degree view for better customer experience and engagement in low Capex and Opex cost.
• Led implementing Cash Management solution strengthening bank’s endeavors towards its corporate clients.
• Instrumental in implementing first time ever outsourcing solution for Offsite ATMs replenishment and First Line Maintenance leading to significant reduction in cost of business and increasing up time.
• Designed Mobile Banking solution to provide Financial and Non-Financial transactions over USSD channel.
• Acknowledged for successful implementation of 300+ ATMs across Pakistan.

Responsibilities: -

• Involved in setting up, management of a team of experts for implementing/ integrating switch with the ‘Different Electronic Touch points, Core Banking System’ and other banking applications.
• Design/ implement processes, procedures, perform cost benefit analysis on recommended strategies.
• Part of design and implementation team for bank Information Security policies and various frame work by regulator.
• Liaise with vendors to develop products for various electronic banking channels.
• Assist external auditors in conducting in-depth compliance audits/ penetration testing, presenting results to the senior management.
• Planned out yearly budgets of both current and up-coming products and technology upgrades.
• Monitor day to day activities and operations for the Electronic banking technology department.
• Function as member of the Information Security Committee set up by the bank to ensure implementation of polices and regulatory frame works.
• Function as member of the Project Steering Committee set up by the bank to analyze, select and implement different solution like EMV Master Card, Cash Management, Call Centre Solution Data Centre Migration etc.

MS -IT

CISM ( qualified )