DHIRAJ BHASKAR CHOUDHARI
Pune
Summary
Results-driven Banking and Digital Payments Leader with over 20 years of experience in banking, merchant acquiring, transaction banking, and digital payment solutions. Expertise includes payment gateway, API banking, collections, and cash management services. Led sales teams to drive business growth and develop strategic partnerships, delivering innovative payment solutions across diverse sectors including education, healthcare, and e-commerce.
Overview
1
1
Certification
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Head – Merchant Ecosystem & Institutional Sales
ICICI Bank Ltd.
02.2021 - Current
- Led regional business development for Merchant Ecosystem, Digital Payments, and Institutional Banking, enhancing service delivery across multiple branches.
- Drove acquisition of merchants for Payment Gateway, POS, QR, Soundbox, and Digital Payment solutions, expanding market reach and increasing revenue potential.
- Successfully expanded merchant acquiring business across the region.
- Delivered significant growth in Payment Gateway, QR, POS, and API Banking business.
- Generate business through POS terminals, Bharat QR, UPI QR, SoftPOS, and enterprise payment solutions.
- Handle large-value merchant acquisitions and strategic corporate relationships.
- Lead and mentor a team of Relationship Managers across multiple branches.
- Work with enterprise clients, educational institutions, hospitals, housing societies, trusts, NGOs, and corporates.
- Collaborate with product, technology, operations, and implementation teams for API onboarding.
- Ensure compliance with RBI guidelines and internal policies.
- Built partnerships with fintechs, ERP providers, and ecosystem partners, strengthening collaborative networks and enhancing service offerings.
- Led implementation of Collection APIs for enterprise customers.
- Built strong relationships with Finance Heads, CFOs, and key decision makers.
- Improved merchant activation and digital payment penetration across the region.
- Successfully managed cross-functional teams for merchant onboarding and implementation.
Branch Head (AVP)
IndusInd Bank
10.2019 - 01.2021
- Managed end-to-end branch operations, ensuring alignment with business goals.
- Facilitated growth of CASA, retail assets, third party products, and wealth business through strategic initiatives.
- Drove growth in CASA, retail assets, third party products, and wealth business.
- Oversaw branch profitability while ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance.
Senior Branch Manager
HDFC Bank
10.2017 - 10.2019
- Achieved branch targets across liabilities, assets, and fee income.
- Surpassed branch targets for liabilities, assets, and fee income, driving overall growth.
- Cultivated relationships with high-value customers to enhance satisfaction.
Branch Manager
ICICI Bank
05.2012 - 09.2017
- Launched new branch, achieving CASA of ₹80 Crore within five months.
- Managed DMIC project, mobilizing ₹80 Crore through open market sourcing.
- Achieved 100% Fee Income targets.
- Achieved 100% Savings Account and Current Account targets.
- Coordinated Government Relief Fund disbursement during drought and hailstorm operations.
Branch Manager
Reliance Capital Asset Management Ltd.
02.2011 - 05.2012
- Managed mutual fund distribution through banks and IFAs to enhance market reach.
- Achieved business target of ₹3 Crore, driving revenue growth.
- Developed and strengthened relationships with new distributors to enhance market reach.
Branch Manager / Branch Channel Development Manager
Future Generali India Insurance Co. Ltd.
10.2008 - 12.2010
- Managed recruitment, licensing, training, and sales performance to ensure team readiness and compliance.
- Led team of Sales Managers and Advisors to achieve sales targets and enhance customer engagement.
- Managed daily operations and ensured compliance with insurance regulations.
- Led team meetings to discuss branch performance and customer service strategies.
- Developed training programs for staff to enhance product knowledge and service skills.
Senior Sales Manager (Bancassurance)
MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd.
10.2007 - 10.2008
- Oversaw bancassurance operations across multiple Axis Bank branches, enhancing service delivery and client engagement.
- Led sales teams in developing customer relationships.
- Led sales teams to achieve strategic targets and enhance client relationships.
- Developed training programs to improve team performance and product knowledge.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new business opportunities and customer needs.
Associate Manager – Sales
Max New York Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
11.2006 - 10.2007
- Recruited and developed insurance advisors.
- Led sales strategy development for insurance products across multiple markets.
- Trained and mentored sales team to enhance performance and customer engagement.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for revenue growth.
Scientific Business Officer
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
01.2004 - 12.2006
Marketing Executive
Novo Nordisk
01.2002 - 12.2004
Management Trainee
Cipla
01.2001 - 12.2002
Education
Bachelor of Pharmacy -
University of Pune
Skills
- Merchant Acquiring Business
- Payment Gateway Solutions
- Merchant Acquiring
- Payment APIs
- API Banking & Collections
- UPI & Digital Payments
- POS & QR Business
- Bharat QR
- Dynamic & Static QR
- SoftPOS
- UPI Payments
- POS & Smart POS
- Cash Management Services (CMS)
- Transaction Banking
- Corporate Collections
- Merchant Onboarding
- Digital Banking Solutions
- Cross-functional Project Management
- Business Development
- Client Relationship Management
- Strategic Partnerships
- Team Leadership & Sales Management
- Host-to-Host Integrations
- ERP Integrations
- Cross-functional Project Management
Certification
Licentiate – Insurance Institute of India
Languages
- English
- Hindi
- Marathi
Technical And Digital Payments Expertise
- Payment Gateway Solutions
- API Banking
- Collection APIs
- Payment APIs
- Merchant Acquiring
- POS & Smart POS
- SoftPOS
- Bharat QR
- Dynamic & Static QR
- UPI Payments
- Cash Management Services
- Virtual Accounts
- Host-to-Host Integrations
- ERP Integrations
- Corporate Collections
- Transaction Banking
- Merchant Onboarding
- Digital Banking Solutions
- Cross-functional Project Management
Timeline
Regional Head – Merchant Ecosystem & Institutional Sales
ICICI Bank Ltd.
02.2021 - Current
Branch Head (AVP)
IndusInd Bank
10.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Branch Manager
HDFC Bank
10.2017 - 10.2019
Branch Manager
ICICI Bank
05.2012 - 09.2017
Branch Manager
Reliance Capital Asset Management Ltd.
02.2011 - 05.2012
Branch Manager / Branch Channel Development Manager
Future Generali India Insurance Co. Ltd.
10.2008 - 12.2010
Senior Sales Manager (Bancassurance)
MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd.
10.2007 - 10.2008
Associate Manager – Sales
Max New York Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
11.2006 - 10.2007
Scientific Business Officer
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
01.2004 - 12.2006
Marketing Executive
Novo Nordisk
01.2002 - 12.2004
Management Trainee
Cipla
01.2001 - 12.2002
Bachelor of Pharmacy -
University of Pune