Vijay Narasimhan

About Vijay Narasimhan

I am currently the Global Head of Strategy, Innovation, and Payments at PayPal, with over 20 years of experience in the Fintech and banking sectors. My mission is to empower individuals and businesses with innovative and accessible financial solutions that enhance their lives and livelihoods. As the leader of a cross-functional team of data scientists, program managers, product managers, and platform engineers, I manage the Global Credit Risk Strategy and Innovation for PayPal\'s $25 billion Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) business. I leverage AI and bureau-based risk strategies to optimize loan approval rates, manage a $200 million risk budget, and launch BNPL products in multiple countries. I also serve as the India site lead for BNPL Credit Risk, overseeing operations in Chennai, Bangalore, and London. Previously, I was a Lead/Group Product Manager at PayPal, where I spearheaded the UKFPS, SEPA and UK direct debits and credit transfers like BACS, CHAPS, UKDD, Global Open Banking and EMEA Transaction Expense Savings programs. I built a new Open Banking platform that enabled instant onboarding and payment experiences for PayPal customers in Germany, UK, and the US. I also implemented TE savings initiatives that reduced transaction costs and enhanced customer value which resulted in enabling more business for PayPal. Before joining PayPal, I worked in the banking sector for six years, where I gained valuable operational and IT experience with renowned institutions like Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered Bank. I have a B.E. degree in Electronics and Instrumentation from the University of Madras and a passion for cricket.

Experience

1. Global Head of Strategy, Innovation and Payments

   PayPal

   Oct 2021 — Present · Chennai, IN

   Global Head of Credit Risk Strategy, Innovation, and Product:• Leading a team of data scientists, program managers, product management & platform teams in Chennai, Bangalore, and London to manage Global Credit Risk Strategy and Innovation for PayPal\'s $23 billion BNPL Business.• Serving as the India site lead for BNPL Credit Risk.• Risk Management, Decision Science, Data Science Responsibilities:• Developing AI and bureau-based risk strategies, partnering with the Machine Learning team to manage a $200 million Risk budget while maintaining a loan approval rate of approximately 90%.• Conducting data preparation, manipulation, analysis, research, and preparing strategy proposals.• Managing partnerships with credit bureaus, including assessing new products and negotiating pricing.• Innovation: Innovating ways to reduce risk losses and transaction expenses for the BNPL product. Utilizing AI models to offer cost-effective repayment funding instruments.• Planning: Budgeting, Monthly forecasting, Conduct monthly/qtrly business reviews, and bureau cost management. • Revenue Impact: I\'ve played a significant role in contributing to a revenue of $700 million, with the BNPL product demonstrating consistent YOY growth of approximately 50% since its launch in May 2020.• Notable Achievement: Conceptualized and introduced \"German PayIn30 Days\" which contributed $7 billion in volume giving us a revenue of $140 million in year 1.

Education

• University of Madras

  B.E, Electronics and Instrumentation

  1998 — 2002