Ricardo Valentini Mola

About Ricardo Valentini Mola

Ricardo Mola is a highly accomplished and results-driven financial services executive with over 25 years of extensive experience in global and regional product leadership roles, specializing in Payments and Digital Banking across Latin America and the U.S. He possesses a proven track record in spearheading large-scale transformation programs, including critical ISO 20022 migrations and the integration of SWIFT standards across complex local and cross-border payment ecosystems. As a strategic leader, Ricardo excels in defining competitive positioning, developing robust go-to-market strategies, and driving significant revenue growth and market share expansion. His expertise spans the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and development to successful launch and post-launch optimization. He is adept at managing a complex, high-value P&L, overseeing portfolio optimization initiatives, and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance product offerings and expand market footprint. Ricardo is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between business objectives and technological innovation, consistently delivering scalable, risk-controlled solutions in collaboration with cross-functional teams including Legal, Compliance, Operations, and Engineering. He is a champion of Agile methodologies, significantly reducing time-to-market for new products and features. With strong leadership and people management skills, he builds and mentors high-performing teams, ensuring talent development and a robust pipeline for future growth. His client-centric approach, combined with deep technical and analytical acumen, positions him as a pivotal force in navigating the evolving landscape of global payments and digital financial services.

Experience

1. SVP, Payments Head - Central America and Caribbean

   Citi

   Apr 2019 — Present · Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

   Strategic Leadership & Market Expansion: Spearheading Central America and Caribbean payment strategy across 10 markets, aligning with global Treasury & Trade vision. Defining competitive positioning, pricing, and go-to-market strategies to boost adoption and revenue. Proactively coordinating market developments and leading the strategy to position Citi’s Payments & Receivables offering as the preferred solution.Digital Transformation & Innovation: Driving ISO 20022 migration, integrating SWIFT standards across local systems. Leading strategic program roadmaps, product launches, and marketing initiatives to maximize product benefit and market penetration. Defining and launching new products, features, and capabilities.P&L Management & Growth: Managing vertical-specific P & Ls and developing robust product roadmaps to address evolving market and regulatory shifts. Overseeing revenue performance and implementing portfolio optimization initiatives, consistently delivering against aggressive P&L targets to support Cash Management and TTS growth.Risk Management & Compliance: Partnering with Legal, Compliance, Operations, and Engineering to deliver scalable, risk-controlled solutions. Managing risks and executing controls in strict alignment with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, as well as prescribed policies, procedures, training, and ethical standards. Supervising the development of end-to-end PRC and MCA to achieve minimum standard controls and ensure compliance.Team & Stakeholder Management: Leading a highly motivated team, managing development and career growth needs, and creating a strong talent pipeline. Fostering effective partnerships with LATAM TTS Product, TTS CCA Sales, TTS Client Ops, Implementation Management, and Service Management teams to ensure proper and timely execution of strategic initiatives. Managing external partners and vendor relationships.

Education

• Citibank University

  Trade Operations and Trade Services

  2005 — 2005

• Faculdade Leonardo da Vinci

  Data Processing Technology

  1995 — 1998

• Microsoft Technical Education Center

  Information Security , Hackers and information security / Networks and Security

  2001 — 2001

• SAP

  Finance, Financial Academy

  2004 — 2004

Skills

• Retail Banking
• Finance
• Serviços Bancários
• Banking
• Internet Banking
• Risk Management
• Management
• Trade Finance
• Portfolio Management
• Credit Risk
• Estratégia Empresarial
• Payments
• Commercial Banking
• Gestão
• Cash Management
• Software Development
• Financial Services
• Gestão De Produtos
• Private Banking
• Product Management
• Financial Markets
• Credit
• Credit Cards
• Product Development