RAHUL CHAVAN
Singapore
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in the cards and payments industry, specializing in product strategy, transformation, and regional delivery leadership. Currently leading the Rewards vertical at DBS Bank, with notable achievements including large-scale implementations such as debit card migrations and innovative digital onboarding programs. Expertise in establishing co-brand partnerships and integrating major payment schemes like Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay has driven significant advancements in digital payments through tokenization and virtual card frameworks. Recognized for strategic contributions across markets in Singapore, India, the US, Mexico, and the UK, consistently fostering strong stakeholder engagement and enhancing profitability through cutting-edge initiatives.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President Information Technology
DBS Bank
07.2019 - Current
- Extensive hands-on experience in enterprise cryptography and key management, working with Thales HSMs working closely with Neubits support.
- Acted as Key Custodian for Singapore and Hong Kong markets, responsible for secure custody, rotation, and governance of critical payment keys.
- Managed and migrated high-risk cryptographic keys, including CAVV, CVV, PIN mailer, AES, HMAC, and variant key block–based keys, ensuring uninterrupted transaction processing.
- Executed key migration and renewal programs across environments using HSM command sets, including key generation, wrapping/unwrapping, import/export, and attribute validation.
- Resolved complex cryptographic migration and interoperability issues, addressing algorithm compatibility, key format differences, and downstream application dependencies.
- Partnered with security, infrastructure, and different application teams to deliver secure cutovers, compliance alignment (PCI DSS), and post-migration stabilization with zero security incidents.
- Leading Digital transformation program for migrating legacy rewards system to Next Gen Regional Rewards across 5 markets for DBS bank starting with Singapore and HongKong.
- Led Integration of Ascenda as rewards aggregator into DBS for HK, Taiwan and Singapore markets.
- Orchestrated digital transformation through seamless debit card migration from VisionPLUS to PowerCard (2023-24).
- Led platform modernization by transitioning switch operations from IST to PowerCard (2021-22).
- Ensured compliance and vendor integration by enabling 3DS 2.0 and managing Arcot to VCAS migration (2019-20).
DVP - IT
SBI Card
12.2013 - 07.2019
- Spearheaded strategic IT initiatives including NPCI-Rupay integration, Datacenter Migration, VisionPLUS loan processing, GST compliance, and financial enhancement projects.
- Fostered collaboration with business stakeholders for effective requirement elicitation and Business Requirements Document (BRD) development.
- Scoped, budgeted, and defined timelines for projects, ensuring alignment with senior management's strategic vision.
- Orchestrated RFP/RFQ procedures, adeptly negotiated with vendors, and managed project financials.
- Vigilantly monitored project progress, maintained transparency through dashboard reporting, and adeptly navigated risk management.
- Conducted meticulous reviews of foundational documents (FS, DTP, Implementation Plan, FMEA, KT Plan) and secured necessary stakeholder approvals.
- Achieved seamless Datacenter Migration from DXC (Australia) to FISERV (India), demonstrating exceptional project leadership.
Senior Consultant Specialist
HSBC Global Technology India
03.2009 - 12.2013
- Directed the Flagship CRS OneHSBC migration, a cornerstone initiative for HSBC, seamlessly transitioning 80 million accounts from the legacy WHIRL system to the unified OneHSBC platform, consolidating disparate systems and globalizing 60% of functionalities.
- Spearheaded the Diamanté release, encompassing 17 key projects that enhanced critical modules within VisionPlus, including CMS, FAS, CTA, and ASM, while also integrating with peripheral systems.
- Successfully delivered the inaugural organized release post-version upgrade, establishing a robust framework for code promotion, change management, and implementation strategies, setting a precedent for future releases.
Technical Lead Solution Architect
GE Money
02.2004 - 02.2009
- Spearheaded VisionPLUS upgrades for GE India and GE Thailand, enhancing digital readiness in APAC.
- Directed compliance initiatives for Mastercard/Visa, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
- Executed debt restructuring strategies, optimizing financial operations.
- Contributed to the deployment of GE's MLI technology, fostering advancements in customer engagement.
Systems Analyst
Citibank, IBM, TCS, Leeds-UK
09.2000 - 02.2004
- Developed real-time GIRO transfer solution for DBS Cashline, managing full project lifecycle.
- Led UK Associates account conversion to ECS+ and built CICS-based interest simulation tool.
- Coordinated Brent Application Support for VisionPLUS and CardPac systems; received appreciation from GE Europe CIO for outstanding performance as a new joiner.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering -
Nagpur University
Nagpur, India01.2000
Skills
- HSM, Cryptography , Key Renewal
- Scheme compliance
- Mitigation Strategies
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Cards and Payments Domain
- VisionPlus
- Powercard
- Schemes, Visa, Mastercard, UPI, AMEX, Rupay
- Project Management
- Business Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
LANGUAGES
Hindi
Marathi
English
Spanish
LINKS
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-chavan-0941975
COURSES
Technology Leadership and Innovation Program, NUS - School of Computing - Dec 2024 - Jun 2025
Timeline
Vice President Information Technology
DBS Bank
07.2019 - Current
DVP - IT
SBI Card
12.2013 - 07.2019
Senior Consultant Specialist
HSBC Global Technology India
03.2009 - 12.2013
Technical Lead Solution Architect
GE Money
02.2004 - 02.2009
Systems Analyst
Citibank, IBM, TCS, Leeds-UK
09.2000 - 02.2004
Bachelor of Engineering -
Nagpur University