BALU SUMANTH
Mumbai
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in driving operational excellence, supporting business strategy, managing risks, developing and leading successful teams, building robust processes, managing external vendors, executing large projects, and working across diverse cultures.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
Deutsche Bank AG
Mumbai
04.2021 - Current
- COO for the largest businesses of Deutsche Bank India: Cash Management, Trade Finance, Lending, Custody, and Fund Administration
- Key responsibilities include driving business strategy and growth, governance over key projects, risk management, regulatory oversight, vendor governance, planning for business continuity, implementing people welfare initiatives, cost management and general administration
- Represent the business in key stakeholder reviews and governance committees
Director, Head of Implementation
Deutsche Bank AG
Mumbai
12.2017 - 03.2021
- Leading the pan-India client implementation and integration team for transaction banking products
- Client-facing team covering pre-implementation discussions, documentation, technical integration, product-level implementation, project management, and post-implementation support
Director, Head of Cash Management Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
Mumbai
11.2010 - 11.2017
- Leading the cash management and corporate branch banking operations, managing a team of over 180 full-time employees and more than 50 support staff, geographically spread across seven cities
- Responsibilities include supporting business growth, effectively managing people, keeping risks under control, implementing robust vendor governance, cost management, ensuring business continuity, improving productivity, fostering a culture of strategy and innovation, maintaining exceptional client service, ensuring robust stakeholder communication, and timely delivery of key projects
- Develop and maintain a robust risk framework, maintain positive relations with regulators, and ensure zero tolerance for regulatory breaches
Private Wealth – Business Manager and Head, Mid-office Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
Mumbai
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Responsibilities covered budgeting, sales performance tracking, MI dashboards, cost management, new product approvals, monitoring service partner relationships, business representation to senior management, and other administrative functions
Consumer Banking – Head, Liability and Branch Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
Mumbai
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Member of the project management team that setup retail banking for Deutsche Bank in India
- Leading the operations work-stream responsible for core-banking application due diligence, testing and rollout, identification, selection and recruitment of operations staff, setup the operations model, setup process flows and guidelines, on-board vendors, implement business continuity plans, provide trainings and develop supporting applications
- Post launch, was leading the liability, investment, channel and branch operations team – products included account opening, deposits, clearing, domestic and cross-border payments, retail trade payments, cash, ATM and net-banking transactions and investments
- Assisted in setting up retail banking operations in China (Shanghai and Beijing)
Corporate Banking Operations & Customer Service Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
New Delhi
01.1992 - 01.2004
- Handled various responsibilities around front-office client-facing and back-office banking operations across New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai
Assistant Manager – Operations
Times Bank Limited
New Delhi
04.1999 - 03.2000
Education
MBA-Finance -
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies
Mumbai01.2006
B Sc (Hons) - Chemistry
Sri Venkateswara College
Delhi01.1990
Skills
- Team leadership
- Operational management
- Risk management
- Regulatory compliance
- Vendor governance
- Business strategy
- Change management
- Planning and execution
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Deutsche Bank AG
04.2021 - Current
Director, Head of Implementation
Deutsche Bank AG
12.2017 - 03.2021
Director, Head of Cash Management Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
11.2010 - 11.2017
Private Wealth – Business Manager and Head, Mid-office Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
01.2009 - 01.2010
Consumer Banking – Head, Liability and Branch Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
01.2004 - 01.2009
Assistant Manager – Operations
Times Bank Limited
04.1999 - 03.2000
Corporate Banking Operations & Customer Service Operations
Deutsche Bank AG
01.1992 - 01.2004
MBA-Finance -
Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies
B Sc (Hons) - Chemistry
Sri Venkateswara College
Projects
Retail Bank Operations
- Designed and implemented the operating model and end-to-end flows for all processes of retail bank
- Implemented workflow-based automation of key banking processes like client adoption, static updates and loan processing for the retail bank resulting in improved productivity and efficient processes
- Led the operations ‘core team’ implementing and managing new initiatives like technology enhancements, process improvements and cost rationalization.
Corporate Bank Operations
- Setup a regulatory compliance desk (FEMA) and led the development of digitizing regulatory compliances
- Revised the operating model on the back of 3 key solutions – automation, centralization and outsourcing – focusing on quality, cost and service.
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