Country Director-Remittance & Digital Payments Leader

Mahmudul Islam

Address: Flat-***, House No-***, Road No-6/A, Mirpur DOHS, Dhaka-1216

Mobile: +88-017******** (Call/WhatsApp)

E-mail: ******.********@*****.***

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mahmudul-islam-a4186b32/ Career Summary:

• Results-driven Country Leadership & Digital Payments professional with 16+ years of experience in remittance, fintech partnerships, banking operations, and business growth strategy.

• Proven expertise in leading country operations, expanding payment corridors, driving revenue growth, and building strategic relationships with banks, regulators, and financial institutions.

• Strong background in global remittance networks, FX negotiation, treasury operations, compliance management, and cross-border payment solutions.

• Successfully delivered business growth initiatives, including $1 Billion GSV achievement, cost optimization, and partner ecosystem expansion.

• Skilled in strategic planning, commercial negotiation, stakeholder management, and operational excellence to drive sustainable business performance.

Objective:

• To work as a Country Director leveraging strategic leadership, remittance expertise, partnerships, and growth strategies for business success.

Key Proficiencies:

• Country Business Strategy & Leadership

• Remittance & Payment Operations

• Market Expansion & Growth Strategy

• Strategic Partnership Management

• Banking & FinTech Relations

• Regulatory Compliance Management

• Commercial & FX Negotiation

• Treasury & Cover Fund Operations

• Partner Acquisition & Integration

• Business Performance Analysis

• Stakeholder Management

• Team Leadership & Execution

Date of Birth: 12th December 1986

Job Experience:

Country Manager- APAC, TerraPay Nov’23 to present

• Lead country strategy for remittance and payment corridors such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands and driving transaction growth and revenue targets.

• Execute business expansion initiatives and strengthen TerraPay’s market presence in APAC Countries `.

• Manage partner acquisition, onboarding, and integration with banks, MTOs, and financial institutions.

• Develop strategic relationships with banks, regulators, and key industry stakeholders.

• Negotiate commercial agreements, FX rates, and operational terms to improve profitability.

• Oversee cover fund operations and ensure smooth payment processing with treasury teams.

• Collaborate with compliance, legal, and operations teams for regulatory compliance.

• Monitor agent network performance and analyze business metrics for improvement.

• Conduct market analysis and performance reviews to support strategic decisions.

• Represent TerraPay in regulatory and industry engagements. Achievements:

• Achieved $1 Billion GSV in 2024 through strategic partnerships and effective market execution.

• Generated $500K+ annual savings by negotiating zero transaction fees with bKash.

• Delivered consistent business growth in Bangladesh despite market challenges.

• Secured central bank representation for outward payment products, enhancing future opportunities.

• Expanded partner network through successful bank and MTO integrations.

• Optimized FX negotiations and cover fund operations to improve efficiency.

• Strengthened relationships with banking partners and key stakeholders.

• Improved operational performance through data-driven reviews and reporting.

• Enhanced regulatory compliance through cross-functional collaboration.

• Supported sustainable growth through strategic planning and partnership development. Assistant Manager, NRB Division, Mutual Trust Bank PLC Jun’19 to Nov’23

• Managed partnerships with fintechs, exchange houses, and regulators, including Bangladesh Bank, for NRB banking operations.

• Handled onboarding of international partners while ensuring AML/KYC compliance and regulatory adherence.

• Coordinated with central treasury for FX liquidity management and rate negotiation.

• Led team operations for remittance partnerships and resolved operational challenges.

• Conducted market analysis and competitor benchmarking to support business decisions.

• Monitored partner performance, processes, and compliance requirements. Achievements:

• Strengthened international remittance partnerships through effective stakeholder and partner management.

• Successfully onboarded global partners while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.

• Improved FX operations through effective liquidity coordination and rate optimization.

• Enhanced team performance by streamlining partnership management and issue resolution.

• Delivered market insights through research and peer benchmarking for strategic initiatives.

• Supported NRB business growth by improving remittance services and partner networks. Senior Executive, Global Operations & Service Quality, Xpress Money Services Ltd. Apr’10 to Jun’19

• Coordinated remittance operations with UAE HQ and local stakeholders for smooth service delivery.

• Managed partner bank onboarding, training, and compliance with global standards.

• Handled remittance documentation, FX rate coordination, and agreement processes.

• Maintained correspondent banking relationships to support network expansion.

• Monitored service quality and operational efficiency improvement initiatives. Achievements:

• Received the Individual Excellence Award for outstanding performance and service excellence.

• Strengthened partner relationships and supported remittance network growth.

• Improved operational accuracy through effective documentation and compliance management.

• Enhanced service quality by resolving operational issues and supporting process improvements.

• Ensured effective coordination among global teams, partners, and local operations. Academic Qualification:

• EMBA from American International University of Bangladesh (AIUB) with CGPA 3.86 out of 4 in 2017.

• BBA in Marketing from Stamford University Bangladesh with CGPA 3.64 out of 4 in 2009. Soft Skills: Teamwork, Convincing, Inspiring, Influencing, Negotiation, & Leadership Skills. Language: Fluent in both Bengali and English.

References:

1. Mohammad Zahidul Ahasan, Head of Remittance Management, bKash Limited. Phone: +88-017********, Email: ********.******@*****.*** 2. Md. Rashidul Islam, Vice President, Head of NRB Division, Dhaka Bank PLC. Phone: +88-017********, Email: ********.*****@*********.***.**

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