Open to opportunities

Upasana Saraf

@upasanasaraf

Strategic, results-driven Senior Banking Executive with 23+ years of leadership in Retail Banking Operations, Financial Compliance, Risk Governance

India

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead retail banking operations and compliance—driving AML/KYC, sanctions/PEP screening, STR filing, and FATCA/CRS—while strengthening HNI/NRI service and audit-ready controls in a regulatory-first culture.

I’m a senior retail banking and compliance professional with 23+ years of Retail Banking Operations experience across DBS Bank, Citibank, and Axis Bank. I specialize in AML, KYC lifecycle work—spanning EDD and CDD—plus sanctions/PEP screening and STR filing.

I lead compliance and regulatory execution with strong foundations in regulatory reporting, audit controls, risk mitigation, FATCA/CRS compliance, and internal governance. In my roles, I handle transaction monitoring and escalations, manage AML compliance queries, and ensure investigations and reporting meet central governance expectations.

I also bring operational leadership to the branch: I’ve driven HNI/NRI service operations, managed banking ombudsman/internal ombudsman cases, and improved operational efficiency through process optimization and cross-functional coordination. Alongside this, I’ve owned cash & vault controls, Nostro/suspense reconciliation, operational risk monitoring, and compliance audits—supported by recognition such as “Best Branch Banking Team” and multiple service quality awards.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Service Head – East

DBS Bank India Limited

Oct 2023 - Dec 2024 (1 year 2 months)

Led end-to-end branch service operations for HNI and NRI clientele, ensuring adherence to AML and KYC regulatory frameworks. Headed AML compliance including EDD, sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, and STR reporting.

Branch Operations AML Compliance KYC Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)Sanctions Screening Transaction Monitoring Regulatory Reporting Customer Service Committee Meetings Process Optimization Escalation Handling

CPC Service Relationship Manager

Citibank N.A / Axis Bank

Oct 2008 - Oct 2023 (15 years)

Conducted AML investigations, audit compliance reviews, and fraud-risk mitigation while supporting HNI clients with customized banking solutions. Managed CASA servicing, trade-related queries, FATCA/CRS compliance processes, and branch cash operations under internal controls.

AML Investigations Compliance Review Fraud Mitigation Customer Service Forex Documentation Demographic Updates Mutual Fund Subscriptions Redemptions DEMAT Queries Senior Cash Officer Controls FATCA CRS Legal Attachment Cases Offsite Reviews Compliance Audits

Branch Banking Operations In-Charge

Citibank N.A

Apr 2007 - Sep 2008 (1 year 5 months)

Supervised branch operations and ensured inward/outward remittance documentation compliance for forex transactions. Identified high-value transactions based on KYC norms and managed reconciliation across Suspense, Nostro, Vault, and interdepartmental accounts with regular MIS reporting.

KYC High Value Transaction Identification Team Supervision Cheque Clearing Governance Vault Cash Limit Monitoring Operational Management

Service Analyst

Citibank N.A

May 2002 - Mar 2007 (4 years 10 months)

Monitored inward/outward remittances and ensured documentation compliance for forex transactions. Supported KYC-based identification of potential risks and contributed to reconciliation and MIS reporting for key accounts.

KYC High Value Transaction Identification

Customer Service Executive

Manjushree Infotech (B.K. Birla Group)

Mar 2001 - Apr 2002 (1 year 1 month)

Handled customer queries and complaints, ensuring service resolution. Supported back-end MIS reporting, data collation, and operational documentation processes.

Complaint Resolution Data Collation