Over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership roles within foreign banks, large private banks, and payments banks. Expertise in AML/CFT compliance, fraud risk investigations, and credit risk management. Proven track record in enhancing service excellence and process reengineering initiatives. Strong background in surveillance and enforcement, driving operational efficiency and regulatory adherence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Head – AML / Financial Crime Compliance
Bandhan Bank Ltd (Senior Vice President))
11.2024 - Current
Led enterprise-wide AML transaction monitoring across customers, products, and geographies; ensured timely alert review and closure within TAT.
Delivered accurate regulatory reporting (CTRs, CCRs, NTRs, CBWTRs) and high-quality STR filings with strong investigative standards.
Implemented AI/ML and analytics (incl. MuleHunter.ai) to enhance detection of suspicious patterns and improve alert prioritization.
Managed name screening and end-to-end customer risk classification (static, dynamic, periodic reviews).
Handled RBI, FIU-IND, and statutory audits; ensured timely closure of IRAR observations and RMP actions.
Filed Priority STRs and developed typologies aligned with FIU-IND requirements.
Led ML/TF risk assessments for existing and new products, channels, and services.
Drove AML technology initiatives, vendor management, and regulatory integrations.
Established quality control frameworks to reduce false positives and improve STR effectiveness.
Chaired cross-functional Money Mule Task Force to strengthen controls and processes.
Oversaw KYC/AML policy governance and periodic updates in line with regulations.
Presented AML updates to Board-level committees (ACB, Compliance Committee).
Built and led a high-performing 70+ member team across analytics, reporting, QA, and AML intelligence.
Principal Officer, AML/CFT Compliance
Paytm Payments Bank (Vice President)
11.2023 - 10.2024
Directed enterprise AML/CFT program across Payments Bank products (Wallets, BC network, CASA, Merchant Acquiring), ensuring full lifecycle risk coverage.
Led and scaled a 70-member team across AML operations, assurance, and intelligence, driving performance and capability uplift.
Ensured effective transaction monitoring, alert disposition, and high-quality STR filings within 45-day regulatory TAT.
Established AML Intelligence Unit to identify emerging typologies, portfolio risks, and financial crime trends.
Strengthened STR quality through enhanced EDD frameworks and advanced transaction analysis techniques.
Owned AML/CFT policy framework, KYC standards, SOPs, and product risk assessments aligned with regulatory expectations.
Managed internal, external, and regulatory audits (incl. central bank inspections), ensuring timely remediation of findings.
Implemented AI/ML-driven analytics to identify anomalies, mule networks, and high-risk transaction patterns.
Achieved full CAMI certification across team, strengthening technical expertise and compliance culture.
Integrated AML/CFT and I4C intelligence to enhance detection of mule accounts and organized financial crime risks.
Acted as primary liaison with regulators and law enforcement; ensured timely handling of FIU queries and requests.
Delivered Board-level reporting on AML/CFT risks, trends, and control effectiveness.
Represented the Bank as Principal Officer in regulatory forums (FPAC, ARIFAC), contributing to industry collaboration.
Head – AML & Retail Payments Compliance | NPCI
National Payment Corporation of India
12.2021 - 10.2023
Oversaw AML/CFT compliance across Retail Payment Systems (UPI, IMPS, NFS, NETC, AEPS, Rupay) for domestic and international operations.
Ensured full adherence to KYC, AML/CFT norms, and FATF requirements, including preparedness for FATF MER evaluations.
Led engagements with FIU-IND, enabling API integration and timely regulatory reporting for NPCI-enabled products.
Actively contributed to FIU-IND working groups for RFIs, FPAC, ARIFAC, and PPI initiatives on typologies and AML/CFT training requirements.
Expanded focus from near-zero AML surveillance to industry-level alerts for all NPCI products; submitted multiple typologies on emerging ML/TF risks.
Implemented graph analytics to map suspicious networks and enhance investigative intelligence.
Managed key international projects, including country risk rating models, international PA risk frameworks, and remittance compliance for cross-border partnerships.
Strengthened NPCI surveillance processes, developing compliance report cards for member institutions.
Enforced ecosystem-level compliance through show cause notices, warnings, and penalties, ensuring regulatory accountability.
Automated AML/CFT and Surveillance & Enforcement workflows, improving efficiency, scale, and effectiveness.
Reported updates to IRMC, RMC, and Board, ensuring senior management visibility on AML/CFT and S&E operations.
Completed AML/CFT certifications, including CAMI and IIBF, strengthening technical and compliance expertise.
Head - Risk Investigations (UPI & NETBANKING)
HDFC Bank Ltd
02.2019 - 05.2020
PAN INDIA Investigations of customer disputes for UPI, NB, ENET. Ensuring Quality & TAT adherence
Handling quarterly cyber fraud awareness initiatives and RBI reporting
Handling pre and post disbursement frauds, seeding exercise, Investigations, and outsourcing risk
Handling of staff investigations and vendor related anonymous complaints for the risk function
Handling product level service quality audits at country level covering onboarding, servicing and exit relationships, including competition benchmarking on service standards and offering to customers
Setting up and handling Hygiene calling unit in the Bank
Facilitating mystery audits on KYC/AML processes
Driving a culture of E2E service quality audits on products and services run by the Bank
Setting up Customer Research Unit to measure and improve C-SAT score across platforms
Undertaken projects on process improvements, cost reduction, TAT improvement and automation
Setting up collections process vertical in the regions, including framework of review and controls
Head - Service Quality Audits
HDFC Bank Ltd
10.2010 - 01.2019
Regional Process Head - Collections (North & East)
HDFC Bank Ltd
09.2006 - 09.2010
Regional Manager - Fraud Control (South1)
ABN AMRO Bank NV
09.2005 - 08.2006
Managing Fraud control and Investigations for customers in South 1 region (Karnataka & AP)
Handled pre-and post-acquisition book for unsecured loans (Cards and PL)
Responsible for developing and maintaining a healthy loan portfolio & delinquency target
Managing Credit appraisal, collections, and repossession for auto loans book for the state of Orissa
Manager - Credit & Collections, Orissa
ABN AMRO Bank NV
10.2002 - 08.2005
Officer - Fraud Control (East)
Standard Chartered Bank
04.2000 - 09.2002
Handling Fraud control activities for Credit Cards and Personal Loans portfolio in the East region
Handling credit card authorizations & merchant services for the region
Conducting mystery audits to catch cash points of merchants
Trainee - Card Authorizations & Merchant Services
CITICORP CCSIL
07.1999 - 03.2000
Handling credit card authorizations desk for online approvals
Handling merchant servicing and settlements desk for the portfolio
Training merchants on fraud mitigation
Education
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) -
Calcutta University
Calcutta
01-1999
Std XII - CBSE
Sunbeam English School
Varanasi
01-1996
Std X - ICSE
St. Thomas Boys School
Calcutta
01-1994
Skills
Investigative skills
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Communication and presentation skills
Cross-functional collaboration
Regulatory compliance
Transaction monitoring
Risk assessment
Creative thinking
Decision making
Leadership aptitude
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Anti Money Laundering Investigator (CAMI), 2022-01-01
AML & KYC Certificate from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF), 2022-03-01
GNIIT Diploma on Software programming, 1999-06-01
Areas Of Experience
AML/CFT Compliance
Surveillance and Enforcement
Fraud Risk Management
Investigations
Process Control
Service Quality Audits
Project Management
Retail Banking
Payment Systems & Payment System Bank
Timeline
Head – AML / Financial Crime Compliance
Bandhan Bank Ltd (Senior Vice President))
11.2024 - Current
Principal Officer, AML/CFT Compliance
Paytm Payments Bank (Vice President)
11.2023 - 10.2024
Head – AML & Retail Payments Compliance | NPCI
National Payment Corporation of India
12.2021 - 10.2023
Head - Risk Investigations (UPI & NETBANKING)
HDFC Bank Ltd
02.2019 - 05.2020
Head - Service Quality Audits
HDFC Bank Ltd
10.2010 - 01.2019
Regional Process Head - Collections (North & East)