Saji Pillai

Technology Leader | Payment Systems & Banking Expert | Product Management

Professional Summary

Dynamic and results-driven technology leader with over 30 years of global experience across Payments, Cards, Core Banking, and Telecom Billing, delivering complex modernization and transformation programs for Tier-1 banks and payment providers across the US, Europe, Middle East, ANZ, and APAC.

Recognized as a Techno-Functional Expert with deep domain knowledge across industry-standard protocols including ISO 20022 (SWIFT MX, CBPR+, HVPS+), ISO 8583, SWIFT MT, Fedwire ANSI, ACH, and ATM device integrations. Proven track record of delivering multimillion-dollar portfolios with innovations recognized by Stevie Awards and client accolades.

An innovative product specialist at heart, consistently translating emerging AI, cloud-native, and architecture practices into pragmatic, business-aligned solutions - most recently pioneering AI co-pilot-driven architecture discovery to accelerate current-state-to-target-state design cycles.

Key Expertise & Capabilities

🏦 Payments & Card Systems

Retail, Debit, Credit, and Prepaid card systems; Tokenization; Fraud detection (FICO Falcon); Authorization Switches; Clearing & Settlement; PCI DSS standards

💳 Payment Gateways

Designed and launched eCommerce Payment Gateways certified for Visa 3D Secure (3DS) and Mastercard SecureCode. Integrated Verifone MPI, Worldpay, Visa Cybersource, Mastercard MPGS

🏛️ Core Banking & Trade Finance

Deposits, Lending, Trade Finance, LC/BG processing. Led modernization of ATM Switches, Payment Hubs, and Card Platforms

🤖 Conversational AI & Search

Built AI copilots using RASA, VertexAI, OpenAI to interpret ISO 20022 messages. Designed conversational search engines with Hugging Face and OLAMA

🎨 Product & UX Delivery

Led end-to-end branding, UI/UX design using Figma and Adobe AEM. Authored SOPs and created merchant training using Adobe Captivate

⚡ Agile Leadership

Certified Scrum Master and SAFe-trained Agile Product Owner with experience driving sprints, managing backlogs, and aligning OKRs across global teams

🤖 Agentic Commerce & AI Protocols

Implemented Google AP2 Protocol for Agent Payment Protocol, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and A2A (Agent-to-Agent) protocol for Agentic Commerce. Expert in integrating AI agents with eCommerce stores and MCP servers

Professional Experience

Vice President, Lead Sr. Product Architect

Chase Bank - USA

April 2026 - Present
  • Define the C1, C2, and C3 architecture views (Context, Container, Component) of proposed solutions, authoring concise Quick Reads and Solution Intent documents to align engineering, product, and leadership stakeholders
  • Defining the new solution architecture for Debit Card Management, modernizing the platform to a cloud-native architecture
  • Extensively leverage AI co-pilot tools to analyze existing system repositories and reconstruct current-state (as-is) architecture, then apply that insight - together with deep product background in Debit and Credit Card platforms - to design target-state (to-be) architecture
  • Author specification-driven Markdown (MD) design documents that Scrum teams use directly as executable specs, streamlining the path from architecture to development
  • Active participant in Architecture Review Board (ARB) sessions, presenting and validating solution designs against enterprise architecture standards and governance
  • Own the PTX (design, build, and deployment) process end-to-end, ensuring architectural intent is preserved from concept through production release

Vice President, Product Manager

Chase Bank - USA

July 2023 - March 2026
  • Product Manager for Chase Credit Cards Loyalty Rewards and Benefits, responsible for defining product strategy and roadmap
  • Integrated product with Adobe Analytics tracking user events, new user registration, page access, and customer retention metrics
  • Led design sessions with UX team to improve customer journeys using funnel analysis and Figma
  • Built and designed Conversational Search Engine POC for Card Product Catalog using RASA, Python, and LLMSuite (OLAMA2)
  • Managed product backlog refinement and sprint planning for Scrum teams using Jira
  • Defined cloud-native platform requirements and customer experience strategies

Senior Director Delivery - Payments and Cards

Virtusa - USA

February 2014 - July 2023
  • Led Payment Practice achieving $50M+ revenue with 15% YoY growth over four years
  • Solution Architect for Nordea PSP Payment Gateway, integrating Verifone eCommerce MPI for omnichannel PSP payments
  • Scaled Citi Bank India payment gateway to support large transaction volumes
  • Product Management for CDD (Customer Due Diligence), OFAC Screening, Credit Screening, PEP Screening, and Fraud Screening applications
  • Integrated with Experian for AVS and Credit Screening, and FICO Falcon for fraud detection
  • Built AI/ML application with rules engine to reduce false positives in legacy FICO case management system
  • Managed large migration/modernization programs for ATM Switch, Credit Card, and Payment Programs across multiple geographies
  • Developed and executed Virtusa's payment strategy, securing over 10 new clients in the payment space
  • Award-winning innovations: Smart ATM thin client, Augmented Reality Branch Platform (using FrameVR), mPOS platform - Won Stevie Business Award in 2015
  • Enhanced team billability by 100% through effective leadership, significantly impacting corporate profitability

Delivery Head - Cards and Ecommerce Payment Gateway

Plintron Global Services India Limited - Chennai, India

April 2011 - January 2014
  • Managed prepaid card platform for Plintron in the UK, leading product line development
  • Scaled prepaid card operations from 10,000 cards to 5 million within specified timeframe
  • Expanded team from 4 to over 50 members
  • Integrated with Experian API for AVS and PEP Checks during Consumer Due Diligence
  • Launched prepaid products successfully in Australia, UK, and France markets
  • Established Postpaid Billing platform and P2P payment platform, generating new revenue streams
  • Consolidated Lyca's Payment Engine for unified payment solution across regions and providers

Product & Professional Service Head - Core Banking

Datavision Software Solution Private Limited - Pune, India

November 2008 - April 2011
  • Product Head of flagship products: Datamate, Micromate, Riskmate, AMLOMate, Mobilemate, Loan Appraisal System
  • Implemented AML transaction monitoring in AMLOMate, creating STR and CRT reports for Reserve Bank of India compliance
  • Built new products for emerging markets including Islamic Microfinance/Banking for South Asia and Middle East
  • Developed MRDs, PRDs, and core product messaging
  • Managed project teams for CBS implementation and provided functional requirements using UML

Project Manager - Payment and Enterprise Teller

S1 Enterprise - Pune, India

December 2006 - November 2008
  • SEPA Migration - KBC Bank Brussels: Spearheaded successful SEPA functionality implementation within WISE Application for cross-border and domestic payments, achieving 43% profit margin
  • Enterprise Teller Implementation - Kasikorn Bank (K-Bank), Thailand: Managed end-to-end deployment leading 65-member global team across Thailand, India, China, and Dublin
  • Oversaw integration with Temenos core banking and 200+ backend hosts including Enterprise Teller, CMS, CIS, Transact, and CRM systems
  • Utilized Agile practices with Whizible and JIRA for project tracking and performance metrics

Product Head - EFT Switch and Ecommerce Payment Gateway

Opus Software Solutions Limited - Pune, India

January 2005 - December 2006
  • Led 23-member team managing Electra Switch, ePG - Electra Payment Gateway, Electra MPI (VISA/MC 3D Secure), and Electra ACS
  • Developed and designed new 3D Secure (ACS and MPI) products as add-on to Electra Payment Gateway
  • Successfully installed at 43 locations including Central Bank of India (500+ ATMs), Corporation Bank (1000+ ATMs), and Dena Bank (500+ ATMs)
  • Integrated with LexisNexis for OFAC and PEP checks during card origination
  • Currently used by ICICI Bank for internet payment and eCommerce transactions

Earlier Career Highlights (1993-2005)

Product Head - Onward Eservices Limited (2003-2005): Led 45-member team for retail/consumer banking solutions

Delivery Manager - Datavision Software (2001-2003): Design and development of core banking product "Datamate"

Delivery Manager & Sr. Programmer - Nextstep Infotech (1997-2001): Designed and developed "Fast Cheque Collection" and "Any Branch Banking" systems

Programmer - Supertech Software Solution (1994-1997): Developed BankPlus Core Banking Module in COBOL and ported to AS/400

🚀 Innovation Projects & GitHub Portfolio

🤖 AI & Machine Learning Projects

🧬 ModelDB - Molecular Data Center & mdc-lite NEW

A DNA-inspired conversational data platform: query AI models, databases, images, and documents entirely in plain English - no SQL required - through a deterministic validation layer that stands between the LLM and storage, so natural language never executes directly against data. Paired with mdc-lite, a companion 348 KB embeddable encrypted key-value store for mobile and wearable apps, sharing one encrypt-then-DNA-encode storage model across both.

  • Conversational, SQL-free querying of AI models, databases, documents, and images via natural language
  • Deterministic operation validator between the LLM and storage - the LLM proposes, it never executes directly
  • Working DNA-inspired archival storage tier: AES-256-GCM encrypted data encoded as A/C/G/T base sequences, with real error-correction and corruption-simulation research tooling
  • mdc-lite: a 348 KB embeddable encrypted key-value store (XChaCha20-Poly1305) for iOS, watchOS, Android, and Wear OS
  • Bearer-token-secured REST API enabling third-party NLU/custom UI integrations (RASA, custom chat interfaces)
  • Real, verified cross-platform builds published as GitHub Releases (macOS, Windows, Android)
Python FastAPI DuckDB Rust NLP RASA AES-256-GCM REST API
View on GitHub Visit Live Site

📈 Investment Bot NEW

AI-powered trading agent bot that analyzes stock market data and provides intelligent investment recommendations. Features a ChatGPT-like interface for natural language queries about stocks, market trends, and investment strategies.

  • Natural language query interface for stock analysis
  • Real-time market data integration
  • AI-driven investment recommendations
  • ChatGPT-style conversational AI interface
  • Stock sentiment analysis and prediction models
Python OpenAI Machine Learning NLP Stock APIs
View on GitHub

🔍 Payment Support Log Analyzer AI-POWERED

Advanced AI model for analyzing payment system support logs, specifically designed for ISO 20022 SWIFT CBPR+ messages. Automatically identifies issues, patterns, and anomalies in payment processing workflows.

  • ISO 20022 SWIFT CBPR+ message parsing
  • Automated issue detection and classification
  • Pattern recognition for recurring problems
  • Intelligent log analysis and reporting
  • Compliance validation and error prediction
Python AI/ML ISO 20022 SWIFT NLP Log Analysis
View on GitHub

📊 Sentiment Analysis Platform

Machine learning platform for sentiment analysis with applications in financial markets, customer feedback, and social media monitoring.

  • Multi-source sentiment analysis
  • Real-time data processing
  • Jupyter Notebook visualizations
  • Custom ML model training
Python Jupyter ML Models Data Analysis
View on GitHub

🛒 Agentic eCommerce Platform NEXT-GEN

Revolutionary AI-powered eCommerce platform implementing Google AP2 (Agent Payment Protocol), Model Context Protocol (MCP), and Agent-to-Agent (A2A) protocols for autonomous commerce transactions. Enables AI agents to shop, negotiate, and complete purchases on behalf of users.

  • Google AP2 Protocol implementation for agent payments
  • Model Context Protocol (MCP) for AI agent communication
  • A2A protocol for agent-to-agent commerce interactions
  • Integration with eCommerce stores and MCP servers
  • Autonomous shopping and negotiation capabilities
  • Secure agent-based payment processing
  • Multi-agent orchestration for complex purchases
Google AP2 MCP A2A Protocol AI Agents Python Payment APIs LLM Integration
View on GitHub

📱 Next-Generation Social Media Apps

🎙️ GossipIN AR/VR READY AI-SAFE

Revolutionary voice-enabled chat application designed for the future of AR/VR glasses. Built on the vision that AR/VR glasses will replace mobile devices, GossipIN provides a hands-free, voice-first social experience with intelligent AI safety features.

  • Voice-enabled chat interface optimized for AR/VR
  • Hands-free operation for smart glasses
  • Spatial audio integration
  • AI Vocabulary Learning: Understands GenX and GenZ slang, evolving language patterns, and generational communication styles
  • AI-Powered Anti-Bullying: Real-time chat monitoring to detect and prevent cyberbullying, harassment, and toxic behavior
  • Adaptive voice commands with contextual understanding
  • Real-time voice-to-text and text-to-voice
  • Designed for Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro compatibility
React Native Voice Recognition AR/VR SDK WebRTC Spatial Audio NLP ML Safety Sentiment Analysis
View on GitHub

📢 BuzzIt LIVE STREAMING

Event broadcasting and social sharing platform that enables musicians, event organizers, and social functions to instantly "buzz" their events and share across multiple social media platforms simultaneously.

  • Live event broadcasting using Amazon IVS
  • Multi-platform sharing (WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook)
  • Real-time event notifications and alerts
  • Musician and performer promotion tools
  • Social function event management
  • Cross-platform video streaming
  • Event discovery and social engagement features
Amazon IVS React Native AWS Social APIs Live Streaming WebRTC
View on GitHub

💳 Payment & FinTech Innovation

🔐 OpenPaymentToken OPEN SOURCE

World's first free, open-source, secure token origination and token processing platform. Simplifies payment processing with enterprise-grade tokenization capabilities available to everyone.

  • Secure token origination and processing
  • PCI-DSS compliant tokenization
  • Open-source payment security
  • Multi-provider token management
  • API-first architecture
  • Enterprise-grade security, free to use
Payment Security Tokenization PCI-DSS API Open Source
View on GitHub

🏠 BackpackersHome

Travel and accommodation platform connecting backpackers with local hosts and experiences worldwide.

  • Peer-to-peer accommodation marketplace
  • Traveler community platform
  • Local experience sharing
  • Booking and payment integration
Full Stack Payment Gateway Social Platform
View on GitHub

🎯 Innovation Focus Areas

Future of Computing: Building applications for the next generation of devices - AR/VR glasses that will replace smartphones

AI-First Approach: Leveraging AI/ML for financial analysis, payment systems, and conversational interfaces

Open Source Contribution: Creating free, enterprise-grade solutions accessible to everyone

Cross-Platform Integration: Building solutions that seamlessly work across multiple social media and communication platforms

📊 GitHub Activity

4+
Public Repositories
AI/ML
Specialization
AR/VR
Innovation Focus

🔗 Visit GitHub Profile: github.com/saji1970

Major Projects

Nordea PSP & Pay

Led PSP MVP definition using MoSCoW methodology, Verifone integration, operational readiness, and merchant onboarding. Built SOPs, sandbox-based training using Adobe Captivate, and technical documentation. Defined branding and UI/UX using Adobe AEM.

Cuscal & ANZ Australia (NPP)

Designed and implemented real-time clearing and settlement systems. Supported Faster Payments compliance and modernization across Australia.

FICO Falcon - Standard Chartered

Led legacy-to-Neural Engine migration for fraud case ingestion and analytics, implementing advanced fraud detection capabilities.

Chase Debit Modernization - JPMC

Lead SME for Vynamic-based debit switch; led backlog management, Agile ceremonies, Kafka AVRO modeling. Built automation with Cucumber and aligned OKRs for migration from legacy systems.

HSBC ATM Migration

Delivered Smart Vista switch modernization for Bermuda, Malta, and Armenia. Managed ATM software integration and stakeholder engagement, increasing profit margins from 18% to 25%.

VisionPlus NextGen - Fiserv

Defined evaluation criteria and roadmap for cloud-native card management platform. Mapped and validated core payment features: Card Management, TRAMS, Clearing, Settlement.

Technical Skills & Domain Expertise

Product Management & Leadership

Product Strategy Roadmap Management Cross-Functional Collaboration Market Research UX/UI Design Data Analysis Stakeholder Management Cloud-Native Platforms

Messaging Formats & Protocols

ISO 20022 (SWIFT MX, CBPR+, HVPS+) ISO 8583 SWIFT MT Fedwire ANSI ACH SEPA IFX/OFX

Functional Domain

Debit & Credit Cards Card Origination Authorization & Acquiring Card Issuing Payment Gateway Tokenization Clearing & Settlement Fraud Detection ATM & POS Retail Banking Corporate Banking

Programming & Technologies

Java Node.js Python Angular JS Kafka COBOL C/C++ Oracle MS-SQL DB2/400

AI/ML & Design Tools

RASA OpenAI VertexAI Hugging Face OLAMA Figma Adobe AEM Adobe Captivate Rational Rose

Project Management & Agile

Jira Confluence Scrum SAFe Agile MS Project Whizible SWIFT ALM

Compliance & Standards

PCI-DSS ISMS 27001 CMM Level 5 ISO Standards

Education & Certifications

MBA: International Business Management

University of Wales - Cardiff, Wales | 2009

IBM Certified AI Product Manager

IBM | Issued 2025

Certified Scrum Master

Scrum Alliance US | Issued 2014, Valid till 2024

Diploma: Computer Technology

Bharati Vidyapeeth's Institute Of Technology - Pune, India | 1990

Key Achievements

Career Highlights

  • Increased Payment Practice revenue to over $50 million with 15% YoY growth rate over four years at Virtusa
  • Acquired 10 new clients in the payment space through strategic business development
  • Successfully retained two major clients through expert negotiation and relationship management
  • Doubled team billability through resource optimization and mentoring initiatives
  • Developed technology-driven retail payment solution that won the Stevie Business Award for best innovative product (2015)
  • Increased HSBC's profit margins from 18% to 25% through low-cost, efficient project delivery
  • Scaled prepaid card operations from 10,000 to 5 million cards at Plintron
  • Successfully delivered SEPA migration ahead of regulatory deadline with 43% profit margin

💡 Combining 30 years of enterprise experience with cutting-edge innovation
From building payment systems for Fortune 500 banks to creating the next generation of AI and AR/VR applications