Playing Cricket
SUNIL RIJHWANI
Seasoned Banking Professional | Credit Operations | Wholesale Banking Ops |Digital Transformation Specialist | PMP | Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
Ahmedabad,Gujarat
Summary
Result-oriented banking professional with over two decades of comprehensive experience in financial services. Expertise in operations management, leading cross-functional teams, risk assessment, and client relationship management. Proven track record of leading high-performing teams, optimizing financial processes, and implementing strategic initiatives that drive growth and efficiency. Adept at navigating complex regulatory environments and leveraging in-depth industry knowledge to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions. Known for strategic mindset, exceptional analytical skills, commitment to fostering strong client relationships, and achieving organizational objectives. Passionate about mentoring future leaders and continuously enhancing operational excellence.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
2
2
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certificates
Work History
SVP & Zonal Head (West2), Wholesale Banking Service
Axis Bank Ltd.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
06.2023 - Current
- Led various Wholesale Banking Units across Gujarat & M.P catering to credit delivery products, post sanction activities, Trade Operations and monitoring
- Oversaw 6K+ corporate accounts, ensuring comprehensive service coverage and operational excellence
- Achieved top Customer NPS score across India, 95%+, by enhancing engagement and development programs
- Managed a portfolio of 6K+ wholesale banking clients, overseeing a total credit exposure of over $4 Bn
- Plan, manage, execute, track & implement complex corporate banking functional and technology solutions including complex IT projects
- Understanding business challenges and proposing business opportunities inspired by technology innovations for all functions, as also acting as a bridge between business & technology teams
- Leading the team comprising Customer Service Heads (CSH), CSMs & CSOs catering to Trade/Forex services & CA/CMS across the region
- Liasioning with business heads in regular cross connect platforms (monthly) to understand their pain points and ensure seamless credit delivery/cross-selling of products
- Harnessing a compliance culture to foster the cultural ethos of the Bank and establishing a robust risk and compliance culture within the team
- Driving traction on trade pendencies (EDPMS/IDPMS) to the desired levels
- Leading change management across the entire WBO (apart from West) and drive automation projects thereof in coordination with IT
- Addressing customer escalations (at zonal level, if any) and ensure the team maintains zero complaints all across
- Ensuring service excellence and seamless credit/trade/forex delivery
- Manpower planning including recruitment for the entire zone
SVP-Dy. CEO & Head Operations
Axis Bank Ltd. DIFC
Dubai
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Plan, manage, execute, track & implement complex corporate banking functional and technology solutions including complex IT projects
- Designed the risk management framework, risk appetite statement for the branch
- Onboarding of Corporate & Individual Professional clients & adherence to AML/KYC norms of the DFSA
- Supervised Branch Operations, Treasury front-office function & Trade Finance Function, including but not limited to AML/KYC norms -both while onboarding and periodic CDD reviews
- Aided the branch deliver a stellar performance Y-o-Y and surpass the Revenue figures (NII & Fee Income) Y-OY
- For the last 2 years, the branch surpassed the budgets by 220% and 270% respectively
- Maintained oversight of the Branch structure/systems and procedures for ensuring compliance with all DFSA/RBI norms
- Drafted STRs/SARs and reported the same to Branch MLRO & Head-Compliance, ensured timely response to FIU/DIFC queries on various matters
- Spearheaded the implementation of the DIFC Internet Banking for Corporate/Trade Finance customers and Virtual Data Room project resulting in a 'Customer Wow' Experience and 75% reduction in audit costs
- Led the team for an effective and successful DFSA audit resulting in no-high risk points
- Reduced operational costs by 15% within the first year, saving the Bank over $2 mn
- Secured the 'Best Bank in Operational Excellence' award in 2022 for the bank by enhancing process efficiency by 30% using six sigma
- We also won the 'Best Digital Bank' award in the UAE
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
DVP & Head-Strategy & New Initiatives, International Banking
Axis Bank Ltd.
Mumbai
10.2018 - 08.2020
- Designed Strategy for International Business, prepared action plan corresponding to the strategy with respective stakeholders & monitored performance in line with the overarching growth strategy
- Prepared Strategic plans for Overseas Expansion/Consolidation, finalized the business plan in co-ordination with Business Departments, coordinated with the respective Regulators in each Geography
- Managed a team of 7 officials
- Driven various IT projects in the International Banking domain so as to ensure Business Process Re-engineering of all major processes of Overseas Branches including automation using RPA/AI for Trade related products
- Prepared Revenue & Cost Budgets in line with the Bank's strategy
- Monitored profitability of Overseas branches/Rep Offices and kept strong vigil on Cost, thereby deriving austerity
- Facilitated review of AML/KYC policy, Operation Risk Policy, etc
- For Overseas branches
- Reduced operational costs by 15% within international banking division, saving over $1.5 mn annually
- Managed a portfolio of 30+ cross-border banking projects, overseeing budgets exceeding $5 mn
DVP-Head, Channel, Analytics & New Initiatives, Corporate Banking Operations
Axis Bank Ltd.
Mumbai
04.2015 - 10.2018
- Managed the Service Relationship Channel involving servicing Large Corporate/Mid Corporate/MSME clients Pan India
- Led the Analytics team, which provided various dashboards/insights to Top Management on various metrics including TAT, Monitoring Parameters, Cost, etc
- In-charge of all digitalization initiatives and Business Process Re-engineering projects thereby resulting in increase in operational efficiency
- Instrumental in implementing various IT developments in the Corporate Banking arena and ensuring automation & STP (Straight Through Processing) including major developments on the Robotics & AI front
- Implemented various projects viz., Credit Connect, CBO Vendor Platform, Credit Processing System, CBO Datamart & Analytics, Insurance/Stock Statement Updation using Robotics & AI, to name a few, which resulted in simplification of various processes thereby reducing man-hours involved in processing by as much as 60% and average TAT for disbursement to 5 days (vis-à-vis erstwhile 24 days)
- Supervised a team of 18 officials
- Defined project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
- Slashed operational costs by 20% within the first year, leading to savings of over $1 Mn by implementing Lean methodologies and process automation
- Oversaw the launch of 6 major corporate banking operations projects, directly managing budgets exceeding $2 Mn
- Secured the bank's position as a leader in digital innovation by spearheading 6 new digital initiatives, increasing digital channel usage by 40%
AVP-Account Manager, Corporate Credit Operations Hub
Axis Bank Ltd.
Gurgaon
03.2012 - 04.2015
Relationship Manager-MSME
IDBI Bank Ltd.
New Delhi
01.2010 - 03.2012
Manager-Credit & Risk
Citi Financial, India
New Delhi
09.2006 - 01.2010
Executive-Credit
Axis Bank Ltd. (e-Uti Bank)
Valsad
02.2005 - 09.2006
Jr. Manager, Operations
IndusInd Bank Ltd.
Bhopal
08.2003 - 02.2005
Business Manager
GG Impact PTE Ltd.
Kenya
06.2002 - 04.2003
Education
Masters of Computer Management - Computer Management
Dept. of Computer Science & Application, BU
Bhopal, M.P 04.2000 - 05.2002
Skills
Team Management (CHRP Certified)
Project Management (PMP Certified)
Compliance (ACAMS Certified)
Process Excellence (Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt)
Business Process Re-Engineering (LSSMBB)
Business Management
Credit Analysis
Credit Operations
Trade Finance Operations
Operational Leadership
Risk Management
Process Optimization
Stakeholder Management
Strategic leadership
Process Improvements
Digital Transformation (PMP Certified)
Accomplishments
- Revolutionized Operational Efficiency: Reduced processing man-hours by 60%, cut TAT to 5 days.
- Led Successful IT Transformations: Implemented critical digital banking solutions, enhancing customer experience.
- Strategic International Expansion: Orchestrated overseas branch strategy, boosting bank's global footprint.
- Revenue Growth Leadership: Surpassed revenue targets by 270%, driving substantial year-over-year growth.
- Operational Efficiency Pioneer: Reduced audit costs by 75% through strategic IT innovations and process automation.
- Digital Transformation Driver: Led digital banking initiatives, achieving 60% process efficiency improvements.
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteHybridRemoteImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CulturePersonal development programsHealthcare benefitsPaid time offTeam Building / Company RetreatsCertification
PMP
Interests
Traveling
Quality time with family
Timeline
SVP & Zonal Head (West2), Wholesale Banking Service
Axis Bank Ltd.
06.2023 - Current
ACAMS
10-2022
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
09-2022
PMP
06-2022
CHRP
04-2022
SVP-Dy. CEO & Head Operations
Axis Bank Ltd. DIFC
08.2020 - 05.2023
DVP & Head-Strategy & New Initiatives, International Banking
Axis Bank Ltd.
10.2018 - 08.2020
DVP-Head, Channel, Analytics & New Initiatives, Corporate Banking Operations
Axis Bank Ltd.
04.2015 - 10.2018
AVP-Account Manager, Corporate Credit Operations Hub
Axis Bank Ltd.
03.2012 - 04.2015
Relationship Manager-MSME
IDBI Bank Ltd.
01.2010 - 03.2012
Manager-Credit & Risk
Citi Financial, India
09.2006 - 01.2010
Executive-Credit
Axis Bank Ltd. (e-Uti Bank)
02.2005 - 09.2006
Jr. Manager, Operations
IndusInd Bank Ltd.
08.2003 - 02.2005
Business Manager
GG Impact PTE Ltd.
06.2002 - 04.2003
Masters of Computer Management - Computer Management
Dept. of Computer Science & Application, BU
04.2000 - 05.2002