Objective

Having around six years of experience in Payment Card processing technologies, I am looking for an opportunity in IT division of a Bank/Financial Institution or related Software Industry. I am amply conversant with VISA and MasterCard authorisation procedure, clearing and settlement life cycle in both in technical and business point of view. I am conversant with various transaction protocols and security standards prevalent in plastic money processing industry. I worked closely with various banks with an international presence and exposed to various operating regulations governing them. With an all round experience in design, development, deployment, testing, implementation and management of large projects in related technologies I am looking forward for a responsible position in the related industry.

Education

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic and Telecommunication from UtkalUniversity, Orissa in 1997 with First class.

Experience

7 years (6 years in financial software industry)

Vertical Exposure

  • Payment Card Processing
  • Credit Card Settlement Processing
  • Financial Transaction Switching
  • Electronic Banking , E-Commerce, U-Commerce
  • Fraud Risk Management
  • EMV
  • ATM and POS

Horizontal Exposure

  • Java, C, C++ as programming language
  • J2EE as middle-ware technology
  • Oracle, Informix, DB2 as database.
  • Linux, AIX, OS/400, Sun-Solaris as primary operating system.

Professional History

  • July 2004 to till date : ICICI Bank, BKC, Mumbai (

ICICI bank is the second largest bank in India and one of the leading IT savvy financial institutions of world. It is the largest credit card issuer of India (around 3 millions). I am heading the Credit Card production (VisionPLUS) division.

  • Mar 2003 – July 2004 OCBC,Singapore. (

Here I was working with Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) as a Sr. Technical Analyst in Credit Card division. OCBC is the largest domestic bank of Singapore with its branches in Asia, Europe and USA.

  • Feb 1999 – Mar 2003 SLMSoft Inc., Toronto, Canada. (

It’s a leading provider banking software with a large client base in Middle East, China, Africa, Latin America and Central European Countries. I was working with its global development center at Mumbai (Bombay), India as a Team Leader in Financial Transaction Switching Division.

  • Jan 1998 – Feb 1999 Interim Test Range, DRDO, Chandipur, India (

Defense Research and Development Organization is an establishment under Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India for Research and Development of state-of-the-art defense technologies. I worked as a Scientist in InterimTestRange, Chandipur, Orissa.

Personal Information

  • Date of birth: 29th. November 1975
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Gender: Male
  • Current Place of Staying: Mumbai, India
  • Mailing Address: Flat No 7, 2nd Floor, Dhanlaxmi Apt, Mahakali Caves Rd, Mumbai, India.

Projects Handled

MasterCard ICA Expansion: This is a MasterCard mandate requirement. MasterCard recently expanded the ICA from four digits to six digits. To comply with this requirement, VisionPLUS FAS and ITS modules were modified. I was project manager for this project. I co-ordinated with MasterCard for the certification of both online and settlement system.

Online Void and TIP Adjustment Transaction Processing:This was achieved through a direct link between BASE24 switch and the VisionPLUS host. In a completely on-us scenario (on us card and on-us merchant), the void and Tip adjusted transactions will directly hit the host and the OTB will be credited and debited immediately without waiting for settlement to come.

Electronic Clearing System:This is an auto debit system for the credit card holders having account other than ICICI Bank. The required transaction information like Card details and minimum or maximum amount due of the card holder will be extracted and will be sent to RBI via ICICI’s billjucntion.com. RBI’s ECS system will debit the cardholder’s saving account accordingly.

Visa Information System: This is a web based information databank available from VISA for the corporate card holders. This system maintains all the information of the corporate card transaction. The bank assigns user id to participating corporate where they can view the transactions online and they can take relevant action on them. For this relevant information has to be extracted from the system in a VISA defined format (VCF) and has to be uploaded into VISA server on a daily basis.

Production Support

Apart from the above enhancement and customization project I look after the production support of VisionPLUS. This includes ensuring smooth processing of End of the Day (batch) and Authorization procedure. I am heading a team of fifteen people and my responsibility includes ensuring zero downtime of the Credit Card system and resolving the production related issues within best possible time frame.

Testing and Certification

  • VISA BASE I Certification: This involves creating various ISO 8583 test scripts using VTS/2000 software provided by VISA. I was responsible for creating these transactions as per user’s requirement and executing these in the host system and analyzing the test result if it meets VISA mandates. I successfully performed the BASE I certification for the host system.
  • VISA BASE II Certification: This involves creating outgoing settlement file in VISA Center Transaction File (CTF) Format which comprised of various types of transactions, process these transactions with VISA supplied Edit Package and staging the resulting Interchange File in VAP for VISA to pickup. It also involves processing the incoming file sent by Visa Certification Management System (VCMS), initiating Chargebacks and Representment as per certification requirement using the settlement processing software and sending them to VISA. I successfully performed the BASE II certification for the host system.
  • UAT of Credit Card Software: I participated in User Acceptance Test (UAT) of the Credit Card Software. I tested online transaction of VISA and MasterCard module of the software with VisaNet and BankNet via VAP and MIP respectively.
  • Testing the VbV ACS for VISA Compliance: Verified by Visa (VbV) is the latest fraud prevention technology introduced by VISA. I participated in compliance and interoperability testing of the Access Control Server (ACS) used by OCBC in both Issuer and Acquirer point of view.

Implementation and Production Support

  • Production and Operation Support: I am responsible for operation support of VISA Settlement module of Credit Card software of OCBC. I oversee the end-of-the day batch processing. This includes generation of settlement records from the captured online transaction information and all the exception transactions initiated by user such as chargebacks, representment, reversals, copy request and fraud information etc. It also includes proper processing of incoming interchange file and posting the billing amount to cardholder accounts resides in respective credit and debit card account management system. I am responsible for processing the incoming and outgoing interchange files in VISA Edit Package and helping the user to figure our cause of rejection if any and recreating the transaction. I also co-ordinate with the VISA Asia Pacific (AP) representative to resolve any production issue.
  • VISA Mandate Implementation: I am responsible for keeping track of VISA mandates and implementing the same in the Credit Card software with the help of vendor. Most recently I participated in implementing VISA Custom Payment Service (CPS) transaction mandates.
  • Settlement Reconciliation: I am responsible for Visa Settlement Service (VSS) reconciliation procedure. I reconcile all the VSS reports generated by Edit Package with the reports generated by the Credit Card software. This involves correct Reimbursement Fee calculation, currency conversion fee calculation and other Visa Charges reconciliation.

During this period I lead a team, which was, implementing a Credit Card Processor for two Middle East banks namely National Bank of Oman, Muscat and Bank of Mashraq, UAE.

My Role

  • Gap Analysis and Specification Development in co-ordination with client.
  • Software Design Document(SDD) preparation
  • Development and Project Management
  • Deployment and Implementation at client site
  • Testing and Certification
  • Training the client
  • Post deployment support

Environment

  • Language : Java, C++
  • Technology : J2EE
  • GUI : Swing
  • Database: Oracle, Informix
  • Operating System: Linux, AIX
  • Design Tool : TogetherJ
  • Testing Tool: JTest

Brief Description of the Project

  • Payment Card Network Interface

The Network Interfaces are used to communicate with external payment networks in defined formats and manage the transaction according to the card association rules. It communicates with the authorisation system of CMS. The following message formats are supported in the on-line message processing:

  • Interface to Visa Networks : BASE I Message
  • Interface to MasterCard Network : MasterCard Message
  • Card Management System

CMS is a backend card processing system that provides a comprehensive set of processing features for card issuing and card acquiring. It takes care

  • Cardholder account management
  • Credit Authorisation
  • Reporting and End of the day processing.
  • Application entry, tracking and approval.
  • Card number generation: PAN, PVV,CVV,CVV2,CVC2
  • Merchant Management, Fees and Statement
  • Voice Authorisation
  • Credit Clearing & Settlement System

This subsystem takes care the settlement functionality of both Visa (BASE II) and MasterCard (IPM). It has following features:

  • Processing of incoming settlement file and generation of outgoing settlement file.
  • Generation of transaction script for posting to CMS and Visa Electron cardholder acct.
  • Generation of exception transactions such as chargebacks and representments.
  • Fraud Reporting System

The FRS reports fraud related information to the respective credit card networks in required format. It supports

  • Cardholder Fraud : Visa TC40, MasterCard SAFE
  • Merchant Fraud : Visa NMAS, MasterCard MATCH
  • E-Merchant Solution

It allows merchants to accept payments for goods and services purchased at their Internet stores. It has following components:

  • Merchant Plug-In
  • Site Service Processor
  • Merchant Gateway
  • Virtual POS

During this period I took part in implementation of Financial Transaction Switching (FTS) system for CECP, Ivory Coat.

My Role

  • Installation of FTS
  • Installation of ATM and POS
  • Development of Store Forward and ATM Surcharge System
  • MasterCard Triple DES implementation
  • Testing
  • Training to client
  • Post deployment support

Environment

  • Language : Java, C++
  • Technology : J2EE
  • GUI : Swing
  • Database: Oracle, Informix
  • Operating System: Linux, AIX
  • Design Tool : TogetherJ
  • Testing Tool: JTest

Brief Description of the Project

  • Installation Financial Transaction Switch

FTS is a high performance credit/debit-processing switch for all transaction processing needs. It can communicate with unlimited number of devices and can route transactions to limitless number of networks and host systems. Its key feature includes

  • Debit/Credit Subsystem – message management service
  • Authorisation Module – transaction validation and conformation
  • Store and Forward Subsystem – guaranteed delivery when destination host is offline
  • Multi-channel payment interfaces – device interfaces and payment network compliance
  • Authentication and entitlement service – transaction authentication and user entitlement verification
  • Application monitoring and control – Graphic User Interface on system monitoring and administration; multiple user control
  • Reporting Subsystem – transaction message reporting
  • Development of Store and Forward subsystem

The Store and Forward (SAF) /Guaranteed Delivery service, performed by DCS, manages transaction when FTS is unable to communicate with destination host. In this case FTS performs stand-in processing to authorise transactions on behalf of the issuer agent. The corresponding advice message is logged in the issuer’s SAF file for re-sending (replay) to issuer host automatically when the communication is re-established.

  • Development of ATM Surcharging System

This subsystem charges fees for conducted transactions. An ATM surcharge is an amount that an acquirer will charge to the cardholder for the privilege of using the ATM. The surcharge is always added to the amount the cardholder is requesting and passed to the issuer for authorisation.

  • MasterCard Triple DES Implementation

This system communicates with the existing switch as well as MasterCard network, using TCP protocol and standard IST communication software. Between two communication endpoints, a MasterCard specific converter program forwards all messages, replacing single DES keys with triple DES and vice versa during dynamic key exchange. It also performs Pin translation (re-encryption) in financial request messages containing PIN blocks (DE 52).

During this period I took part in development of various projects related to financial transaction and payment card. Brief description of some important projects is as follows:

My Role

  • Coding and Development
  • Unit Testing
  • Integration Testing

Environment

  • Language : Java, C++
  • Technology : J2EE
  • Application Server : JBoss
  • GUI : Swing
  • Database: Oracle, Informix
  • Operating System: Linux, Windows
  • Testing Tool : JTest
  • Unit Testing Tool : JUnit

Brief description of the projects

  • ATM Monitoring System

This is a Graphical User Interface for monitoring and managing Automated Teller Machines. This is can be accessed by user from any location. It displays ATM status based on its group structure. Different colour coded indicators indicate service status. This is a tool to view each of the ATM devices’ statistical information. Transaction type, approval and rejection totals are statistics, which are useful for post-analysis. It also displays ATM cash and health information. ATM monitoring will also provide an interactive window to update ATM service status, load ATMState table, keys, screens, fitness and other configuration data into individual or group ATM. It also has alarming feature to alarm any error in the ATM.

  • Switch and Network Monitoring System

This is also a Graphical User Interface to monitor the Switch remotely. All the transactions processed by switch can be monitored and controlled by this user interface. It also displays switch status and health information and alerts the user to take necessary remedial measures. It also monitors network status of the switch. The network status can be monitored and controlled using this GUI.

  • Report Viewer

This utility helps the user to organise and view the reports generated by switch. This connects to switch regardless of the platform the system runs on. All reports are keyed by report number and are stored in the report database together with report name, institution name and other configured heading. Other than pre-defined reports, the user can easily add in any custom report by writing a query for the same. It is having a web interface to display the reports in the bank Intranet.

  • User Entitlement Service

This is a Java GUI runs independently and connect to the security server of Switch. The user security server processes each client request based on the request message and criteria present in the security database tables and configuration files. It renders following functionality. JASS security module was used for this purpose.

  • Define/Modify Users – login user information
  • Define/modify Groups – adding a user to a group allows access to objects available to that particular group
  • Define/Modify Objects – any definable system application functions and screen
  • Programming Language and Technology
  • Language: Java, C, C++, XML, HTML
  • Database : Oracle, Informix
  • Web Technology : Servlet, JSP, SOAP, Struts
  • Operating System : Linux, AIX, Windows, OS/400
  • Middle-ware Technology : J2EE
  • Design Patterns : J2EE Design Patterns
  • Web and Application Server: JBoss, Apache
  • GUI : Java Swing
  • Tools and Utility
  • Designing & UML : TogetherJ
  • Testing : JTest
  • Repository: CVS
  • Compiling Tool : Apache Ant
  • Project Management: Microsoft Project
  • Documentation, Presentation & Spreadsheet: Microsoft Office
  • Drawing : Microsoft Visio
  • Banking Technology and Protocol
  • Payment Association : Visa , MasterCard
  • Financial Message: ISO 8583
  • E-Payment Security Technology : Visa 3-D Secure, MasterCard SPA
  • Encryption Technology:DES, Triple DES
  • Fraud Management : Visa TC40 and MasterCard SAFE, Visa NMAS and MasterCard MATCH
  • Payment Card Hardware and Software
  • Settlement File Processor: Visa Edit Package and MasterCard GCMS.
  • Payment Association Gateways : Visa Access Point (VAP) and MasterCard Interface Processor (MIP)
  • Online Transaction Simulator: Visa VTS 2000
  • Delivered a lecture on ‘Source of fraudulent transactions and its remedial measures’ to the representatives of West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the CFA participating countries of West Africa at Abidjan, Ivory Cost.
  • Imparted training on VisaNet Settlement Service (VSS) to the staffs of National Bank of Oman.
  • Regular reader of
  • Regular reader of various Payment Card technology journals.
  • Available on request.