Alan Manuel
St. Clair,Australia
Summary
Compliance and operations expert in payments industry, delivering strategic initiatives for fintechs and financial institutions. Build and maintain relationships with regulators and stakeholders to sustain regulatory alignment. Lead cross-functional teams to implement solutions that address client operational needs.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Honorary Treasurer
International Slavery Commission
01.2022 - Current
- Managed financial records and transactions for the International Slavery Commission.
- Oversaw financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, and budgeting to ensure accurate financial management.
- Monitored compliance with regulations and maintained financial records, including budgets, investments, and expenditures.
- Coordinated audits and participated in external audit process review.
- Identified trends to drive cost-saving and profit-generating decisions and recommendations.
- Coordinated project timelines and fundraising efforts to support anti-slavery projects and programs.
- Monitor and work with organisations and regulators on identifying and reporting modern slavery occurrences
- Worked with the International President to promote the work of the commission.
Managing Principal
Smarter Solutions Pty Limited
12.2014 - Current
- Provided strategic and operational advice on ASIC, AFSL, AUSTRAC, APRA, payment schemes, AML/KYC, risk, compliance, privacy, open banking, product development, data security, and payments products for start-ups and established fintechs, enhancing their regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
- Co-led initiatives recognized by clients and third-party vendors for active advisory contributions to fintechs and sponsoring financial institutions, supporting strategy and operational development for ongoing compliance in the payments industry.
- Directed cross-functional teams in developing innovative solutions for client challenges.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across various projects.
- Collaborated with senior leadership on business development and growth strategies.
- Fostered strong relationships with stakeholders to align project goals and expectations.
- Oversaw project management processes to ensure timely delivery of high-quality services.
- Collaborated with senior executives on long-term planning initiatives for organizational success.
- Evaluated industry trends to inform strategic decision-making and risk management.
- Implemented process improvements to streamline workflows and enhance team productivity.
- Utilized data to enhance business development, marketing, and other areas.
- Cultivated collaborative relationships with clients, vendors, and key stakeholders to align project goals and foster successful partnerships.
- Assisted with strategic planning by evaluating options, reviewing development ideas, and supporting deployment.
- Advised executive management on best practices related to policy implementation and enforcement.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors in order to secure favorable terms for the company.
- Created and managed budgets for departments while maintaining compliance with financial regulations.
- Coordinated meetings with internal stakeholders and external partners to discuss business strategies and initiatives.
- Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure efficient operations of the organization.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.
- Supported third-party vendor and service-provider engagement, along with ongoing operational and compliance management.
- Recognised for advisory work across client and core banking systems, AFSL applications, and open banking ADR applications and operations.
- Supported AML/KYC regulatory requirements across ASIC, ACCC, CDR, APRA, OAIC, AUSTRAC, compliance operations, and interchange management, including specification and successful implementation of software provider’s core banking system.
- Prepared an implementation plan and led concurrent integration of client core banking software, banking host, and industry switch cutover.
- Provided advisory support for APRA, ASIC, AFSL, AUSTRAC, card scheme, and payments industry applications, with ongoing compliance participation for start-up, and existing non-ADIs and ADIs.
- Worked with clients, third-party vendors, and client sponsors on strategy, product, and operational setup for fintechs, sponsoring financial institutions, and new and existing payments industry participants.
- Awarded preferred supplier status for PCI compliance reviews and remediation programs, completed QSA policy and procedure rewrite, and led client and core banking system payments industry training workshops.
- Supported BPAY and RBA settlement partners by reviewing findings and updating policies and procedures.
Senior Manager Industry Relations, Compliance and Advisory
Cuscal
09.2007 - 12.2014
- Development and Senior Management of Payments Industry Operational Compliance and Risk Framework covering Cuscal and over 100 Clients and Third-Party Agents/Service Providers.
- Development and management of Payments Industry, Operational Compliance and Risk Frameworks covering Cuscal, over 100 Clients and Third-Party Agents/Service Providers enabling annual revenue of over $1.4 Million from clients for compliance as a product.
- Advisory, Relationship management and active participation on behalf of Cuscal, Clients and sponsored Third Parties in Card Scheme, ASIC, ACCC and APRA, APCA (CS1, CS2, CS3) APCA Standards, EPAL, BPAY and PCIDSS Management Committees and Expert, Compliance and Project/Technical Working Groups.
- Assessed and provided compliance advice for Payment Schemes, ASIC, AML/CTF, ACCC, and APRA, confirming adherence for Cuscal and sponsored customers.
- Initiation and ongoing Chairmanship of National Financial Institutions Payments Industry PCI and Data Security Group.
- Annual savings of over $1.2 million for Cuscal and its clients in Industry non-compliance fines including that of their Third-Party Agents and Service Providers.
- Program management of Cuscal and its issuing and acquiring clients/merchant establishment of bi-lateral interchange links and Visa/MasterCard migration to in- house industry switch
- Development of BPAY Industry Member Compliance reporting and enforcement program
- Recognised as an expert internally and external industry advisory to new and existing Cuscal Clients and Third Parties on Payments Industry bodies, Cards Schemes and regulatory bodies including ASIC, Austrac, ACCC, APRA, RBA, OAIC and industry regulations, standards, operations and compliance.
Senior Manager Compliance and Implementation
Cuscal
09.2005 - 09.2007
- Achieved 100% success rate across annual and ongoing reviews, exception clearance, and compliance checks for new and existing Cuscal clients with industry bodies and card scheme participation requirements.
- Delivered client implementation and compliance projects within 95% of budget and established timelines, ensuring project objectives were met.
- Program managed and advised on development, implementation, and ongoing management of First Visa non-cash prepaid card program in Australia, including due diligence, participation, and compliance requirements adopted by Visa.
- Reviewed and negotiated Cuscal developments and client implementations, achieving annual savings of over $200,000 against initial First Data and service provider quotes.
- Managed projects for internal teams and Cuscal clients, providing advisory and facilitation support across ADIs, non-ADIs, and fintechs.
- Provided assessment guidance and compliance sign-off for payment schemes, ASIC, AML/CTF, ACCC, APRA, APN (CS1, CS2, CS3), ePAL, BPAY, and PCI DSS across Cuscal and sponsored customer B2C and B2B cash and non-cash payments processing, settlement participation, due diligence assessments, operations, and compliance services.
- Coordinated First Data and vendor and service provider relationships, covering initial service setup, ongoing service delivery, and compliance with contractual and industry participation requirements.
- Developed and administered Cuscal and sponsored client relationships, conducting due diligence for non-bank financial institutions, providing implementation support, and overseeing ongoing compliance programs in the payment industry.
Portfolio Manager Payments Industry
Cuscal
08.1998 - 09.2005
- Managed relationships with card schemes, industry bodies, and regulators, including ASIC, ACCC, APRA, and PCISSC, enhancing collaboration across the payments industry.
- Portfolio Management of Projects and client implementations delivered over a 95% rate within agreed budget, timelines and quality standards.
- Managed project and client implementation portfolio, delivering over 95% within agreed budget, timelines, and quality standards.
- Coordinated negotiation and project delivery for new product development and client implementations with card schemes, First Data, and third-party vendors for cash and non-cash payments.
- Initiation with Reserve Bank and subsequent project management of first automated settlement arrangements for ATM/POS which became industry standard for all APN (APCA) Chequeing, BECS/Direct Entry, CECS/IAF Clearing streams. Formed basis for RBA Intraday and NPP Settlements.
- Led the development and first implementation of MOAS, Verified by Visa in Australia by Cuscal
- Designed, developed and became ongoing advisory for Cards, ATM/EFTPOS and Payments statistical, management, industry body and regulator relationship management and reporting for Cuscal and clients.
- Chaired APCA Year 2000 CS1, CS2, CS3 payment stream contingency and readiness certification working groups, contributing to the development of industry testing standards and reporting.
- Chairmanship of APCA Year 2000 CS1, CS2, CS3 Payment Streams Contingency and readiness certification working groups. Included the development of current industry testing standards and reporting.
- Specification, development and implementation of in-house Credit Card Interest free product and software application taken up by 23 Cuscal Clients.
Senior Product Manager Credit Cards and Acquiring
St. George Bank
09.1987 - 08.1998
- Senior Product management of Cuscal Visa/MasterCard Cards and ATM/POS Acquiring products.
- ASIC, Consumer Credit Code, e-Payments code, Payment Schemes include cash and non-cash Payments
- Represent Cuscal and Clients at Payment Industry and Card Scheme relations including direct representation at operational committees/forums and project working groups.
- Managed project responsibilities, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic objectives.
- Specification and ongoing advisory for MasterCard Credit Card product.
- Negotiated refunds from MasterCard of multiple fees incorrectly charged including annual reduction of $280,000 in a participation fee for three years.
- Achieved over 80% customer satisfaction rating for management and as principal advisor to Coles/Myer for Cuscal Card Scheme Acquiring relationship.
- Negotiated Visa and MasterCard incentive growth and new product development payments of over $2.3 million.
- Negotiated MasterCard ATM Acquiring initial membership fee saving of $2.4 Million. This resulted in ongoing service fee savings of $1 million annually on behalf of clients
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance product development processes.
- Managed product lifecycle from concept through launch and evaluation.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to define product requirements and priorities.
- Developed product roadmaps aligning with strategic business objectives.
- Analyzed competitive landscape to inform product positioning strategies.
- Worked closely with developers throughout the software development lifecycle to ensure successful delivery of products.
- Coordinated product launches and promotional activities across multiple channels including web, email and social media.
- Created detailed technical specifications documents outlining the functional requirements of proposed products or features.
- Provided guidance on best practices related to user interface design, usability testing and analytics tracking.
- Monitored performance metrics such as usage rates, conversion rates and revenue generated from each product.
- Analyzed user data to uncover insights about how customers interact with products and make decisions about what features should be prioritized.
- Recommended product changes to enhance customer interest and maximize sales.
- Maintained relationships with third-party vendors providing technology solutions necessary for launching new products or services.
- Developed comprehensive product roadmaps to ensure alignment with business goals and customer needs.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with engineering, design, marketing, sales and operations teams to define requirements for new products.
- Managed budgets for product development projects and tracked progress against timelines.
- Executed research and due diligence to improve sales lead pipeline.
- Monitored and forecasted trends to analyze competition and improve campaign performance.
- Increased new client acquisition over previous quarter.
- Developed product requirements by organizing documentation, feature requests, and implementation tickets to streamline project workflows.
- Spearheaded development of new products and enhancements to existing products, contributing to increased market competitiveness.
- Oversaw progress on product and project plans.
- Studied customer needs and desires to incorporate into product requirements.
- Worked closely with customers to determine appropriate marketing offerings and strategies for business needs.
- Collected and analyzed market research data for use in forecasting.
- Recommended policy changes to improve marketing tactics and strategies.
- Planned and facilitated meetings to share marketing plans and explain future business goals.
Various positions
St. George Building Society/Bank
09.1987 - 08.1997
- Portfolio Manager Cards, EFTPOS and Direct entry Payments.
- Managed 24x7 operations of the cards and customer service centre.
- Card Issuing and Acquiring Projects and Operations management.
- Payments Industry relations with Card Schemes, other financial institutions.
- Third Party vendor management including First Data and Cashcard.
- Defined project specifications and managed Cashcard Switch Visa issuing and acquiring processing capability.
- Establishment and Senior Management of 24 Card Services Centre which was twice awarded Visa Cost Study most efficient Card Services Centre
- Development with Visa of first implementation in the world of Visa Cards CVV
- Specification and first deployment in the world of first non-cash payment contactless card functionality on a financial institution card
- Re-engineered Visa credit/debit card application and provision processes to enable immediate approval and card delivery within 24 hours.
- Co-development of Visa National Net Settlement implementation in Australia
- Co-developed and implemented Freedom Visa credit and debit product with integrated loyalty and value-added services.
Skills
- Financial management
- Financial reporting
- Budget oversight
- Audit management
- Compliance management
- Risk management
- Fundraising strategy
Volunteer
- Want a Hand, Founder and Co-Coordinator, 2014-12, Present, Establishment and ongoing co-ordination of fully free service providing assistance for:, People trying to find a job, Businesses seeking someone to fill a job, Reviews of sporting groups or club's administration, operations and growth plans.
- Rugby Union, 1973-Present, I have actively participated as a player, coach, medical officer manager and senior administrator for over 50 years. I am also a senior referee and senior referee coach., This has included executive representation at competition and state level., Development and ongoing co-ordination of a number of clubs and sporting events and tournaments.
Education and Training
- I have undertaken and provided as a facilitator or trainer a wide range of training or workshops including:
- Multiple project management methodologies including Agile, PMP, Prince, Radical Project Management and Six Sigma
- Leadership, product development, strategic planning, team building, third party relations, process re-engineering, change management courses
- RG 146 Deposit and Non-Cash Products
- Operational and Data Security, PCIDSS
- Key Management and Security
- EMV Profiles and Risk management
- TQM, ISO9000, ISO27001, ITIL, Ethical Hacking
- Audit, Governance, Risk and Compliance management programs
- Cert IV Training and Assessment
- Turn the Tap On workshops.
Timeline
Honorary Treasurer
International Slavery Commission
01.2022 - Current
Managing Principal
Smarter Solutions Pty Limited
12.2014 - Current
Senior Manager Industry Relations, Compliance and Advisory
Cuscal
09.2007 - 12.2014
Senior Manager Compliance and Implementation
Cuscal
09.2005 - 09.2007
Portfolio Manager Payments Industry
Cuscal
08.1998 - 09.2005
Senior Product Manager Credit Cards and Acquiring
St. George Bank
09.1987 - 08.1998
Various positions
St. George Building Society/Bank
09.1987 - 08.1997