Norman Buhagiar

Chief Executive Officer @Finatex Malta Limited

AdvisorAssociateAccountantC-level ExecutiveCEOBanking OperationsConsultingFinanceCOO

I am target driven, highly influential, with extensive hands-on experience senior level executive in Operations, Administration, Banking, Finance, Card Business and Merchant Acquiring, Negotiating with suppliers and other entities Banks and Project Management with expertise in general management, human resources, cost control, management accounting as well as bank operations, compliance, AML/KYC and processes. Assembles and leads project teams on mission critical initiatives, and capable of analysing systems to re-engineer processes, accordingly, supports sustainable growth using determination and interpersonal skills to drive strategy. I maintain personal contacts and liaise with people at all levels, both internal and external, negotiates with suppliers to reduce costs. Excellent communications skills and strong team work ethic. I have related and reported up to board level in most of the high position posts held during career. I hav e had exposure in the international environment working with and meeting professionals in various industries and establishing relationships with other foreign banks and partners in various fields. Exercise a high degree of discretion, mature judgment, and tact in handling issues of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. My strengths include the ability to set-up, co-ordinate and manage teams in fast paced international markets. I introduce strong growth by performing the lead role on company-wide projects involving European operations, to implement new products in line with strategy to deliver increased margins. I recruit and train staff to become assets and implement new initiatives and re-engineer current operational activities in parallel with the longer-term objectives. I possess solid financial, operations, HR, management and business development acumen, enhanced with the IT and organisational skills needed for strategic business planning and procurement. These are allied to excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

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Work Background

Finatex Malta LimitedChief Executive Officer

Nov. 2022MaltaConsultancy in Risk Management, 2 Factor Authentication and Payments and the provision of a payment platform, risk assessment system and 2 factor authentication systems

Kaupmehe Invest OUUBO and Director

May. 2022Tallinn, Harjumaa, EstoniaA modern approach to investing in financial business systems. We combine consulting and technologies to create outstanding experiences for OUR customers — from backend integration solutions, through process digitalization to innovative business models. Our systems are based on simplicity, versatility, easy customisation and above all are highly secure. The KPI Payment Platform brings independence and flexibility to online payments. Developed by KPI, the SaaS platform KPI facilitates the management and integration of payments using one single API to connect you with multiple adapters such as payment service providers (PSP), acquirers, processors, enterprise resource system (ERP), business intelligence (BI) or 3rd-party software of your choice seamlessly. The Risk Management Engine enables the customer to configure and implement its own fraud prevention and risk management strategies. This integrated feature makes it easier to identify and refuse fraudulent transactions and react accordingly to potentially high-risk payments. We also provide consultancy in risk management, finance and management.

Protectimus Ltd.Managing Director

May. 2020Dublin, IrelandProtectimus Ltd. creates reliable products for organising multi-factor authentication in companies of all sizes — from start-ups to large corporations. The Protectimus lineup includes plugins for quick integration with ADFS, Citrix NetScaler and XenApp, VMware, RoundCube, SSH, RADIUS, SAML and SSO, Windows Login, Microsoft RDP, Azure, and OWA. The two-factor authentication service is available in-cloud and on-premises. Among offered authentication methods are classic and programmable hardware OTP tokens, mobile app, email, SMS, and chatbots in messaging apps. You can find more information on our products and solutions at www.protectimus.com

MoneyMatrix LimitedChief Operations Officer

Sep. 2016 - Apr. 2020St. Julians - Malta

Software Projects LtdChief Executive Officer

Mar. 2016 - Aug. 2016Mriehel - MALTA

PayMix LimitedChief Executive Officer & Director

Jan. 2013 - Jan. 2016Swatar - MaltaPayMix Ltd is a Financial Institution Licensed and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority to provide payment services and as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) under the Financial Institutions Act, Registration number C 55838. Heavily involved in the setting up of PayMix Limited in Malta to carry out E-Money wallet operations and payments within the online environment with a view of providing innovative products. Carried out pre-license preparations for the business in selecting the appropriate systems, recruitment and other relative areas.

FCM Bank LtdHead Operations

Jan. 2012 - Mar. 2013St. Julians MaltaMain responsibilities include amongst others: • The organisation and management of the day to day operations of FCM Bank Limited across a number of products including deposits, securities and loans so that these will operate in a smooth and efficient manner in line with approved policies and procedures • Developing products and services for the bank and delivering same to customers • Implements systems so as to provide services to customers over different channels and ensures that these operate in a manner that provides customers with a services of a very high standard. • Co-ordinating the operations with relative counterparties and ensuring that the Bank’s assets are properly recorded. • Ensures compliance at all times with applicable legislation and regulations • Keeps abreast of changes in legislation and regulation and informs the bank’s management of such developments in a timely manner to ensure full compliance by the Bank. • Draw up suitable policies to ensure that the bank achieves a high level of internal control. • Providing the leadership, training and supervision to officers and other personnel within the bank • Ensuring that the bank achieves a superior level of customer service. • Monitoring the market development in banking products and services. • Prepare reports to management and the Board as applicable in order to report on the operations of the bank whether these relate to investing activities, new products or services, marketing and advertising activities and operational matters as necessary. • Any other duties and activities that may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or other senior executives of the Bank.

VoiceCash Bank LimitedHead of Operations

Jan. 2010 - Jan. 2012Malta• Heavily involved in the set-up of the Bank from the very initial stages and was instrumental in the recruitment of all current personnel within the Bank. Directly recruited all staff in the operations, customer support and finance units. Also managed to secure premises for the Bank to be able to commence operations. Setting up and managing the Bank’s core operational products. • Established the Operations and IT Units within the Bank which are the two main units for which I am responsible. I report to the Bank’s CEO and I am his substitute whenever he is abroad which, is very often the case. • Project manager in the implementation of the Bank’s banking system and other IT systems in the Bank and managed to get the system implemented on time and within budget. The budget for this was € 1.5m. • Responsible for the preparation of initial IT budget which totals at the moment € 3.5m as well as the operations budget which totals at the moment € 350k. • Represent the Bank on various Malta Bankers Association committees including the MBA executive committee and has direct contact with various persons within the MFSA and FIAU. • Extensively travelled to meet various vendors for various areas and systems as well as attending meetings and conferences. • Responsible for the selection and management of the Bank’s call centre operation which is outsourced to an external third party. Was the key driver in the selection of the IT hosting centre for the Bank which is also outsourced to a third party. Both the call centre and hosting operations are located outside Malta. • Heavily involved in meetings with counterparts within the VoiceCash Group which involves travelling to Munich, Germany for management meetings, strategic meetings and other ad hoc meetings. • Currently working as project manager for another large strategic project for the Bank and am also heavily involved in the selection of new modern premises for the Bank.

APS Bank LtdOperations and Administration Manager

Sep. 2002 - Nov. 2009Malta• Prepared and agreed Administration and Operations budget, scheduled work, oversaw contracts management and the processing of tenders. Managed the overall daily bank operations and coordinated with the Bank’s branches on banking operational issues and services. • Led the key €1.5m Euro Conversion project to timely implementation in Jan 2008, selected and supervised the 15-person team from within bank. • Spearheaded in-house development of helpdesk and stock control packages, managed end-to-end Call Centre launch in September 2006; recruited people, procured specialised trainers, developed a detailed plan using MS Project for the nine-month assignment. • Managed the construction of the Mosta and Paola branches, dealt with contractors and suppliers to ensure delivery within deadlines, monitored all work to make sure that specifications were achieved within 18 months, on budget. • Drove the SWIFT payments outsourcing project, involved in the vendor pre-selection and selection processes, co-ordinated between business users, IT and UK-based people; attended many meetings in UK and Malta. • Spearheaded the re-organisation and re-engineering of the Bank’s Operations division resulting in a more modern and efficient operations for the Bank and also improving the customer experience. • Additionally responsible for facilities management, including insurance, drafted first bank-wide security policy, implemented bank policies for H&S, purchasing and procurement. • Negotiated and agreed maintenance agreements with suppliers, restructured insurance policy covers and introduced a Blanket Bond cover that resulted in more efficient claims processing and a 25% reduction in annual insurance costs. • Recruited and selected staff, prepared and presented training guides for the administration function as part of the induction and H&S courses. • Internationally aware, attended seminars and conferences around Europe on behalf of the bank.

APS Bank LimitedProject Manager

Nov. 2000 - Aug. 2002Malta and 5 months Greece• Successfully took control and turned around the slipping project for the new core banking system, prepared a two-year project plan. • Specifically selected 25 people as the project team, drove forward the work, interfaced extensively with the software house in Greece. • Regularly updated the Chairman and the CEO on progress, attended steering committee meetings, monitored phases and all deliverables. • Oversaw a team in Athens during the testing stages over a four month period, developed and presented training to internal personnel on the new system. • Controlled costs and resource usage for the €1.7m project, completed the implementation on time, within budget.

APS Bank LtdFinance Manager

May. 1998 - Nov. 2000Malta• Headed the department of 14 staff, co-ordinated with internal group heads and senior managers, and analysed complex information. • Reviewed data and prepared the Management Accounts, automated the Central Bank returns using MS Excel to speed up the process. • Accountable for adhering to agreed procedures and standards at the bank, made sure that financials and investments fitted with longer term strategy and objectives.

Playmobil Malta LtdAccounts Executive

Jun. 1996 - May. 1998Malta• Managed the Accounts department of 10 employees, prepared monthly and quarterly management accounts plus accounts for seven subsidiary companies. • Actively involved in the implementation of new IT system, participated in conferences abroad and liaised with peers based in Germany. • Presented financial reports in Germany, analysed management accounts according to standards.

Camarco LtdFinance and Administration Manager

Jul. 1991 - May. 1996Malta• Preparation of management accounts and cash flows and in charge of daily administration. • Involved in transhipment contracts and business development projects with Libya, Italy and Russia. • Involved in the procurement of goods to Libya, Russia and Middle East. • Project Co-ordinator re setting up of McDonalds franchise in Malta working to very tight deadlines and involving extensive travelling with counterparts in Italy and Ireland. • Preparation of monthly management accounts for McDonalds. Preparation of management reports and financial analysis for Board of Directors.

Central Bank of MaltaBanking Clerk to Exchange Control Supervisor

Dec. 1981 - Jun. 1991MaltaVarious roles in various CBM Departments

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