ABE

ABE KARAR

Executive | Technology Evangelist | Open Banking/Finance Expert | FinTech Innovator | Digital Strategist

ABE KARAR

Executive | Technology Evangelist | Open Banking/Finance Expert | FinTech Innovator | Digital Strategist | Speaker | Mentor | Thought Leader

Abe Karar is a distinguished, high-integrity bilingual executive with years experience in the financial services industry. He has built a successful career by demonstrating subject matter expertise in Open Banking/Finance, Digital Banking, Digital Transformation, Digital Strategy, Customer Experience, Business Process Digitization, and Data Analytics.

Throughout his career, Abe has worked at some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of Montreal, and First Abu Dhabi Bank. In these roles, he has been at the forefront of driving innovation, leading large-scale transformation initiatives, and establishing Centers of Excellence to ensure long-term success and growth.

As an expert in Open Banking/Finance, Abe has designed and deployed cutting-edge compliance and aggregation platforms, as well as developed impactful use cases that have revolutionized the industry. His visionary approach and passion for innovation have earned him a reputation as a leader who consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

In addition to his professional achievements, Abe is also known for his exceptional leadership skills and commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in his work. As a result, he has been able to inspire and empower his teams to consistently deliver outstanding results, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture in the process.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Agile Product Delivery

Digital Banking

Digital Transformation

Open Banking/Finance/Data

Operational Excellence

Client Experience Management

Financial Services (Retail, Corp, Wealth)

PMO/ Project Delivery

Performance Management

Business Analytics & Reporting

Fintech Ecosystem

Business Process Digitization

TESTIMONIALS

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Abe during his time as Chief Product Officer at Fintech Galaxy. Abe’s exceptional leadership and deep understanding of Open Banking, Open Finance, FinTech, and Digital Innovation greatly contributed to our organization’s success.

Abe played a key role in designing and implementing various platforms and applications, including the FINX Open Finance platform, myFINX Financial Management app, and FinHub973 Digital Innovation Lab. His innovative approach to Open Banking and Open Finance use cases set him apart as a leader in the industry.

Alongside his technical expertise, Abe excelled as a communicator and advisor. He guided Financial Institutions and Regulators through the complexities of Open Banking, driving adoption and implementation across the industry. With a background in digital transformation, analytics, and operational excellence, Abe brings valuable skills to any organization.

As a product leader, Abe fostered collaboration and continuous improvement within agile product teams. His ethical and high-integrity leadership style inspired his team to deliver their best work.

I highly recommend Abe for executive leadership roles in FinTech, Open Banking/Finance, or Digital Transformation. His extensive experience, innovative mindset, and dedication to excellence ensure that he will continue to make a significant impact in any organization he joins.”

Vladimir Pintea,
VP Open Banking Engineering and Payments – Trovata

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Abe on the development of our digital lab “FinHub973”, and I can confidently say that his technical knowledge in open banking is extensive and unparalleled. Abe demonstrated a deep understanding of different open banking APIs, protocols, and security measures. He always provided insightful perspectives and ideas and went out of his way to provide useful recommendations.

Abe’s communication skills are excellent, and he has the ability to convey highly complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner. Abe is a highly skilled professional who is dedicated, reliable, and passionate about his work. He is also a great mentor to young professionals. I am confident that he would be an asset to any team or organization that is looking to leverage emerging technologies to drive innovation and growth.”

Yasmeen Al-Sharaf,
Director FinTech & Innovation Unit – Central Bank of Bahrain

“I had the opportunity to work with Abe on an Open Banking piece for my client during which he played the role of an SME on the engagement. His deep knowledge of the subject and the way he was able to articulate the concepts during the different discussions with the Team and the client played a key role in the success of the engagement.

Abe also demonstrated advanced leadership skills and effectively guided the Team during the development of the material and provided feedback in a timely manner.

Abe is certainly a great Consultant whom I look forward to working with again in the future.”

Abdulrazzak El Bidawi,
Director Monitor – Deloitte ME

“I had the absolute pleasure of working with Abe on an engagement where he provided his expertise as a Fintech, Open Banking and Digital Banking Subject Matter Expert. His conceptual and technical knowledge on Fintech, combined with his ability to relate them to deep financial industry concepts was truly admirable. His passion for Fintech resonates through his professionalism and quality of outcome. He is an excellent advisor and true professional to work with.”

Bilal Qureshi,
Director – Digital Transformation & Emerging Technologies – Deloitte ME

“I had the pleasure of working with Abe for a large public sector client in the GCC where we working on a strategic initiative within FinTech. It was one of the best experiences while at Deloitte as I learnt extensively from Abe’s hands-on experience and well versed knowledge of the industry. He has immense knowledge in the and his years of experience was also visible to the client who were in awe of the work we produced! It was a pleasure working with Abe and look forward to working again soon!”

Jassim Bangara,
Chief of Staff – Enterprise Technology Consulting – Deliotte ME

“After having the distinct pleasure of working closely with Abe across a range of engagements I cannot help but stress how invaluable and insightful his careful and nurturing approach to leadership and team management is to the development of organizational talent and to my personal growth.

Abe is an exceptional leader who possesses a wealth of digital and financial services knowledge and who brings unique perspectives and energy to every team meet and client interaction. He has an innate ability to manage and digest complex problems that when combined with the breadth of his experiences as a veteran in the financial services industry and his approachable demeanor make him the ideal mentor for any junior consultant looking to grow in the Fintech space.”

Shadi Youssef Nassar,
Business Analyst – Deloitte ME

“I had the pleasure of working with Abe at the start of my time with the Deloitte Digital team in the Middle East. He is a very passionate FinTech practitioner and an individual that was always supportive of his team. He was always happy to share his knowledge and discuss new ideas with the team to better their grasp on the topics at hand. As a more a junior member of the team I felt that Abe brought the excitement needed to the team to keep motivated and ensure we as a collective were moving forward in the right direction.”

Tara Horgan,
Senior Consultant – Deloitte ME

“I had the privilege of working with Abe when I first transitioned to the Deloitte Digital team. Abe is a genuine character with strong charisma who looks to forge strong relationships with his colleagues. Abe demonstrates strong capabilities in the FinTech and Digital Banking space, and as a junior working alongside him, Abe constantly looked to share his knowledge and helped me develop my understanding. He is a great mentor, and a great consultant.”

Abdullah Wali,
Consultant – Deloitte ME

“Abe is an excellent advisor for people looking for guidance and knowledge in Fintech. Abe was my mentor during my Fintech Masters degree at University of Bahrain, and his insights, advice, and guidance were very valuable. Abe showed an exceptional dedication towards elevating mindsets by promoting creativity in ideas and encouraging us towards improving them. He uses his knowledge and expertise to link concepts and ideas to help produce unique Fintech products for the market in the region. Despite his work commitments and busy schedule, Abe always made himself available and reachable whenever needed. Abe encouraged and motivated us throughout our capstone project journey which gave us the push needed to excel in our project and presentations. Truly, Abe is an inspiration and his Fintech expertise is an asset to the region.”

Zahraa Almeshaima,
Fintech/Data Analytics – National Bank of Bahrain

“Abe’s guidance not only helped me successfully complete my project but also inspired me with invaluable skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit me in my future endeavors. From the initial stages of project planning to the final presentation, he demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication and his expertise in the technical aspects of open banking / open finance technology was evident throughout the entire process.
What truly sets Abe apart is his exceptional mentorship style; he fostered an environment of open communication and encouraged me to think critically, ask questions, and explore innovative approaches. Also, he provided constructive feedback and guidance that helped shape the direction of my project, ensuring its academic rigor and relevance. Personally, I think he went above and beyond to ensure that I had the necessary resources and support to succeed.
I have no doubt that he will continue to have a profound impact on the academic and professional lives of others. I wholeheartedly recommend Abe for his exceptional mentorship and expertise, which make him an invaluable asset to any institution.”

Eman Ayman,
MSc Fintech – University of Bahrain

“Abe’s extensive knowledge of Open Banking and Open Finance, which was the subject of my Capstone graduating project, has aided me throughout the process.
Under his mentorship, I received all the assistance, support, and guidance I needed to deliver a well-prepared Capstone project in the best possible way.
He played an integral role in helping me reach my full potential, think critically, and be open to different resources and I am confident that he will continue to play an important role in defining the Fintech Industry.”

GhadaMiari,
Software Engineer – Level Z

“I have had the opportunity to work with Abe on various times during his career at Bank of America. During this time, I have witnessed his continuous growth in a number of areas extending from an exceptional commitment to individual and team goals, impeccable attention to detail, desire to always raise the bar and most recently, effectively managing the efforts of others.

While Abe has gone through these changes, the one constant has been that he pushes himself harder than any team mate can do. His contributions have been invaluable to many. His attitude is contagious. He is committed to his own work, while also regularly supporting others with their own goals. Abe is a true asset to the Bank of America and he has proven his ability to be successful across many roles. I wish him much luck in his endeavours”

Deb Blair,
Senior Operations Manager – Bank of America

“I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Abe on the eForms/eSignature Project, a large Enterprise Transformation project at BMO. Abe has a strong ability to lead teams and deliver on significant project milestones on time, on budget and on schedule. Abe’s experience and analytical prowess enable him to identify and navigate around large program risks. He is very creative and open-minded when leading the team through planning possible options for the project.

One of the very impressive qualities I must mention about Abe is his passion for technology and his ability to adapt to new. Abe and I worked together to deliver a very advanced capture flow designed to help branch employees to scan and store the paper documents as fast as possible with very little errors. Abe continued to amaze me as well with his knowledge about e-signatures when we had various discussions with business and vendors. He is very knowledgeable on this topic and he provided very valuable input about the way to use it in combination with the tablets and/or desktops to offer our customers the best experience.

Abe’s personal qualities also served him well professionally: his exceptional calm and a steady judgement come through consistently throughout the project. Not only is he always positive and constructive, ready to address the situation hands-on, but also managed to transmit these qualities to team members and their interactions.

Abe’s strong communication skills enable his to facilitate the program governance process with Executive Management.”

Cristina Busuioc,
Senior Technology Officer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is one of the most professional, knowledgeable and thoughtful people that I have worked with on the eForms/eSignature project under the Digitization program. He shows great passion designing, developing and implementing optimized technology solutions for complex problems. He is the “Go To” person in the Digitization space for his knowledge of the digital capabilities, his understanding of the issues, his original creative ideas and his thorough execution.

Working with Abe on various aspects of eForms/eSignature, I’ve found him intellectual, organized, creative and dedicated. He has broad experience and knowledge, and works very well with diverse groups of people. He can be counted on to plan carefully and thoroughly, to mobilize the needed resources, to motivate stakeholders, and to make sure things get done in a timely manner with great results. He worked effectively with the Digitization team as well as other major internal partners and external vendors to ensure that the overall solution was delivered, meeting the needs of current digital world and enhancing customer and employee experience.

Abe is one of the best colleagues that I have worked with and have enjoyed all of our encounters, and I recommend him very highly!”

Varun Trivedi,
Digitization Business Analyst – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe and I collaborate frequently as colleagues and his experience and significant technical capabilities are not only valuable to my servicing areas but to the entire line of business as well. Under his leadership, the Workforce Management team addresses all matters regarding capacity planning, strategic budgeting and resource allocation. Equally unique to his skill set is his ability to leverage his extensive problem solving skills towards resolving complex reporting and staffing issues that arise within our environment.

On a personal note, Abe is well perceived by his peers and senior leadership team for his interpersonal skills and his genuine desire to foster an environment that is conducive to collaboration and productive working relationships at all levels of the organization. His ability to multi-task his career workload coupled with a demanding Mathematics Applied Analysis degree is a clear reflection of his discipline towards achieving his goals, strong organizational skills and work ethic.”

Giovani Bazile,
Service Operations Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has been an integral part in developing core processes and infrastructure on the team to ensure that the day to day functions are being executed more efficiently in order to free up additional time for the team to complete other things. There are a number of key accomplishments including development of a scheduling “software” to execute schedules outside of the limited EWFM tool, launch of SharePoint, the flex scheduler as well as a number of “high priority” assignments outside of the scope of WFM (i.e. AML remediation).

Abe has also made significant strides in the training and development of his staff, while also hosting “lunch and learn” type sessions for the team managers at the sites. This has assisted in expanding the knowledge base and cross-functional expertise of his team. Some progress has been made with the managers within WFM – they have improved their leadership and performance management skills.”

Tara Shea,
Senior Business Operations Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“It has been a great experience to work with a passionate business partner like Abe through the eForms/eSignatures project in the past year. Abe has been a champion for the business, trying to leverage the technology to the fullest to transform and simplify the business processes.

Abe’s technical acumen is beyond a normal business lead, he constantly tried to push the envelope forward by supporting technology innovation efforts. He built a GMC COE team on business side to execute form template design – a technical function that integrated seamlessly with business function. He worked closely with technology partners throughout the project, he always took a great interest in the technical solution in more details, and was able to understand and articulate the E2E solution in the business context. He has been a great support and effective liaison between Business and Technology on the eForms/eSignature project, which was the key to the success of this Digitization initiative.”

Maggie Wan,
Technical Head BMO – Bank of Montreal

“My experience working with Abe, both here at Chase and at MBNA/BAC has been very positive.  Abe is very focused on finding and creating solutions that dramatically improves the efficiency of the impacted departments.  Abe communicates very well, and can tailor his communication based on his audience i.e. analytical vs non-analytical.  Some of the character traits that I would use to describe Abe would be the following:

  • Efficient
  • Analytical
  • Effective communicator
  • Has the ability to get it done
  • Can-do attitude
  • Hard working
  • Positive attitude

Abe is very approachable and has been flexible with his time to meet with Fraud Operations to discuss our scheduling challenges and work with his team to solve them.”

Joedy Tapp,
Fraud Operations Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I have worked with Abe during eForms/eSignature initiative. Although he is an outstanding product owner, his technical skills and appreciation to technology are excellent. As part of eForms COE, he formed a technology team (consists of business analysts and developers). He interviewed and selected those talents in technology area for this eForms COE. Abe aspires to develop components that are reusable across the organization. An example of this is that he along with the technology team came up with idea of developing one application to handle anything & everything around Documentation such as sharing, scanning, eSignature etc. Further Abe has good vendor management skills. He has been working with GMC and Silanis technology companies on negotiating and building features as part of the EFES projects.
I personally support cross skills movement from Technology to Business and Business to Technology. This helps the organization with diversity of skills. Abe’s experience and mindset will be assets to the Technology organization.”

KajanBalasundaram,
Director/Sr. Technology Officer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I have attended with Abe requirement sessions, troubleshooting and design discussion sessions some of them related to complicated technology matters like printing protocols having issues, as well as side discussions about matters like services orchestrations and timing … for more than a year.

We, in technology, often agreed (and this came often in our side conversations) that Abe is savvy when it comes to technical matters. Yet none had suggested knowing the reason ….. I see Abe as having the courage to contribute to leading the change of culture that is needed for the IT transformation in BMO. I have seen Abe much more capable of taking calculated, careful risks, and daring to do what it takes to succeed. Abe was surely much more courageous in making calculated risk in BMO’s very risk aversive culture, which desperately needs to change (not to a risky, but to an automated, Agile and responsive one!). His opinions often sounded assuring to others.… I also see Abe capable of inspiring a more flat team (something that is extensively needed for Agile transformation) and BMO needs.

Abe is clearly curious and passionate about “good design” and good technology … that, everyone agrees on!… Abe has very good analytical sense and imagination, and is capable of better reasoning …On top of the above, I would wish Abe success in BMO … he’s been appreciated by all!”

Ferris Mendwi,
Sr. Application Software Developer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I think your knowledge and experience in seeing how the Business has operated will see you well in Technology as it will give you a holistic view on how the entire process operates. Your passion, dedication and drive towards your work and relationship management dealing with Business and Technology will definitely help you as you pursue greater career goals on the Technology side…”

Mohsen Azizi,
Software Development Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“In December of 2006 I became responsible for business continuity; unfortunately I was housed in the CCO, that’s when I met Abe. My role in BC caused me to work many office hours. As I did, I watched, as Abe would put in extra time developing software solutions for other business areas. As I worked beside Abe, I watched him grow in his role. He became the manager of Customer Experience and delivered a fine program to us all.

I watched the economy take a down turn and I watched Abe lose his entire department and staff, he absorbed it with dignity and professionalism. I never once heard him say a disparaging word about his employer. He moved on and rebuilt, became a people manager again, displayed the same passion for the job and the people.

Abe is a people person and one who has the skills to manage efforts, he exhibits a passion for service. I believe that Abe is able to lead Customer Service to a new level, he never tires and I bet I will see him at work on the floor in off hours.”

Don McCrae,
Business Continuity Consultant – Bank of America

“Your progressive Can-Do attitude, blue sky thinking and ability to grasp complex technical concepts are exactly what we need in technology. I believe that with your understanding of the business side and needs, you are in a great position to be able to bridge the divide that currently exists between Technology and Business.”

Peter Chub,
Project Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe, I very much appreciate your leadership style and the fundamental changes and improvement that you have already introduced to our team. They are essential, in particular:
The structure you have started to develop and establish for our team, such as the Project and Tasks List with logical flow and type of information. You quickly recognized the need to have a register to more accurately describe the details of our work assignment and progress.

  • The expectation you have set, such as for the Team To-Do List to ensure it highlights the priority of current commitments.
  • The details that you expect for our performance evaluations will enable us to capture our goals and accomplishment as well as our actions for Being BMO.
  • The Goal Setting Workshop you had led helped us clearly understand what is required and made logical sense without ambiguity.
  • Your support and commitment to recognize our work and work efforts with no surprises at performance discussions.
  • The opportunity for regular one-on-one meetings to review progress, and ensure on track for year-end.
  • Your commitment to help with our career development goals.

Your enthusiasm is motivating! These changes and improvement will transparently communicate the work, expectation and the results.

That is very positive. Thank you!”

Joy Ahong,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is focused, goal oriented and has a real passion for leading his team to successfully deliver on our F’15 initiatives. He has clearly demonstrated the importance of goal setting and has held presentations with the entire BP&I team so we clearly understand the process and get it right and be recognized for our accomplishments and the value we bring into our overall work. This is a true example of how he exemplifies our one bank, one team approach. He brings a fresh branch perspective into the team and I welcome his wonderful energy and positive demeanor.”

Cherrie Tan,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe for the short period that you have been our “fearless” leader, you have certainly changed the dynamic of our team, brining structure, transparency and a new vibe. Your ideas for inclusion and transparency are easy to implement, for example leveraging and promoting the use of the SharePoint site as a focal point to allocate our projects/Tasks. This provides a one stop feature that makes it simple to see who is doing what and who can help out if a situation arises.

Our team meetings are engaging and informative. You demonstrate the personable skills a manager requires, you’re open, you’re easy to talk to and you make yourself available for “ad-hoc” drop in questions and certainly demonstrate the “open door” policy. You also share best practices especially around the Performance Planning and Assessment (PPA) process – that was very important as I’ve never attended a session with such thought and openness on how to structure a PPA and what to include.”

Anita Pereira,
Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe, in the little time that I have known you, you have displayed great enthusiasm and initiative by leading our team (and all of Business Process and Integration) through the Performance Planning and Assessment Goal setting work. I can honestly say that in my 15 years at the bank, you have provided the most direction and standardization I have ever received in this area. The guide and worksheet you have created and your step by step direction has made completing the goals straightforward and easy. Thanks for all the leadership in this area.”

Yuk-Fan Cho,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Since Abe has been with the company, I have seen a great difference in the Operations of WFM within the Ottawa site. They seems to understand the nature of the Operation side of business now and are more empathetic to our needs. He has not only helped his team develop skills but has also helped the management team with their analytical skills.

My experience with WFM in the past has not always been the greatest when it comes to their approach in handling difficult decision and being able to make executive decision however, in the past year or so, we have all seen a difference in their overall approach.

Abe was quick to realize that there were several issues within the team that needed to be fixed. He set up meetings with the management team to start fixing what needed to be. He is open to ideas and suggestions and is quick to implement.”

Crystal Millette,
CMS Team Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“In the short time that Abe has been with the company, he has displayed tremendous energy in improving our processes in a sustainable manner which will support ongoing growth. The wealth of knowledge in analytics and reporting that Abe provides has been a great asset not only to my line of business, but to the company as a whole, and has tremendously improved synergy site-wide. He also brings a “fresh” perspective having recently joined the company, and does not shy away from adding to his already exhaustive list of on-going projects if required. I have actively participated in several projects with Abe and his excellent organizational skills are also evident.

From a personal standpoint, my interactions with Abe have always been extremely pleasant; a courteous, composed and respectful individual who is always first to help when needed. It is an admirable trait to maintain a smile and a positive attitude in such a results-driven, deadline-oriented environment. I look forward to working with him going forward and would recommend him for the role of Senior Business Operations Manager. His business acumen, relentless drive, and approachable nature will prove to be a greater asset to Chase Card Services as a whole.”

Marc El-Khoury,
CCD Team Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has a great passion for technology and a desire to come up with new and efficient ways of delivering projects. Throughout the EFES project Abe was engaged directly with many technology teams. He shows a strong understanding of the applications and how they tied in with one another. He was an active participant in suggesting solutions to address technical roadblocks that occurred. Abe’s product knowledge and business strengths combined with his technical knowledge are very beneficial.”

Daisy Benipal,
Senior Technology Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Strong motivator – It is clear Abe has a strong sense of when and how to motivate Associates.

Work Ethic – Abe’s work ethic is matched by few as is his desire to assist others regardless of his own work load.

Knowledge Base – Abe has knowledge base from both a technical and Customer perspective, something that is not very common within most departments.

There are not many who cannot learn something from Abe and in conjunction with that he is always more than willing to move those forward who are willing and ready to learn more.”

Gary Robertson,
Operations Manager – Bank of America

“As Branch Manager with the Ottawa Centre team, Abe added a new and dynamic addition to the team as both a passionate and knowledgeable. Many new ideas were brought to Ottawa Centre that led to increased results and better tracking tools.”

Sandra Sorrenti,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I will describe Abe as a hard worker. He is not afraid of challenge; in fact this is what he needs to keep himself interested. He is a passionate in general and likes to be intellectually busy. In a group of people, Abe will not be the quiet one; he is more the “active” participant at the table that will bring new ideas, share experiences, opinions or spreadsheets! Also Abe is receptive to others suggestions and ideas. He is always available if someone needs help. He will also recognize when good work has been done. I really enjoyed working with Abe.”

Julie Gaudreault,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I have always found Abe to be an excellent collaborator, who is full of ideas on how to make us better at our jobs, which is very admirable.”

David Christie,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe was always there to help when needed. He thinks outside the box and helped the team come up with different ways of tracking to know where the team was vs. target so we could identify any gaps that needed to be addressed earlier rather than later. Abe always speaks up and is not afraid of asking questions when needed.”

Christine Alexandra Simpson,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is an individual with great amount of energy. He is able to provide visions and motive people around him.

Within months of his current role I saw improvements done on several processes of different functions within or related to the department that he managed.

He is also a unique gem within the management team that has a solid technical background that can be very handy when dealing with different data sources in an interdepartmental setting.

More importantly, he is also selflessly willing to share his expertise with those in need to achieve the common corporate goal.”

Andy Kuo,
Senior Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has an extensive knowledge of the digital tools at our disposal, their cogs and their limitations too. He knows how to leverage each of these technological tools and how to extend their usefulness to different projects. Dynamic and action driven, with his solid business background and experience, with his strategic vision and with his great communications skills, Abe brings a unique combination of leadership, innovation and execution.”

Sebastien Cousineau,
Sr. Consultant (eForms/eSignature COE) – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is one of the hardest working team-mates I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He is extremely focused on driving results for the business and always looks for innovative ways to improve the department to ensure processes are done more efficiently through the use of his vast knowledge and experience.

Personally for me though, Abe’s greatest asset is his personality. He is enthusiastic, positive and willing to help his team-mates every day that he comes into the office, going above and beyond to ensure he drives his team to excel. He is a true leader!”

Julie Deslisle-Marier,
Technical Delivery Manager – Bank of America

“Although I am very new to the Business Analytic and Reporting Team, over the past few months I have had a chance to interact and work with Abe Karar. From the interactions I have had, he has a great understanding of the business, reporting, and analytics. He has shown me different ways to look at reporting, seeming always to have fresh new ideas.

One observation I can make; Abe is always willing to take the time to educate his people as well as others. He is driven to make the business better not always waiting for something to go wrong, he seems very proactive in trying to build on what we have today and making it much better.

He has a wealth of knowledge and a clear passion for business. Abe would be a perfect candidate for the Senior Business Operations Manager.”

Kevin Gallien,
Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Abe in a few capacities surrounding reporting and all of them have been excellent. I have found Abe’s ability to work through issues and present solutions superior.

He has a very strong technical background but his ability to communicate and work with individuals is just as strong. He truly does put the customer’s needs (external and internal) at the forefront of his thinking. I look forward to working with Abe in the Future.”

Ben Adam,
Customer Assistance Operational Risk Officer – Bank of America

“While working with Abe over the past couple of years, I’ve been very impressed with his knowledge in terms of system programs, database management, reporting and analytics. Every interaction I have with Abe has been very positive and he always speaks with logic when faced with a challenge of any sort.

Abe is also a very pleasant person and is always willing to help no matter what. In my opinion these are key features a leader must demonstrate to be successful.”

Michel Prudhomme,
Business Process Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Although my interactions with Abe have been limited, throughout my experience working with him he has demonstrated a strong work ethic and desire to assist in all situations, even when outside of his scope of responsibilities. Abe possesses excellent analytical and communication skills which allow him, on an ongoing basis, to effectively collaborate across functions and support groups.”

Josianne Gignac,
Regional Training Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I have worked with Abe on numerous projects, issues and reports while in his many positions throughout the bank. In summary, Abe has always been a pleasure to work with, delivering every time a consistently high level of service. His work is always well researched, covering all anticipated questions in an understandable format.

Abe is always eager to find solutions and quick to offer us his Point of View. He always has positive attitude and fosters a friendly/comfortable atmosphere. His technical abilities and understanding of the bank’s operations make him an asset to any department he works for.

While in my current role within ORM Abe has been, and continues to be, instrumental in my understanding of the systems side of AML. He always makes time to walk me through system processes also inviting me to his team learning sessions. I look forward to working with Abe on implementing controls within the AML process this year.”

Nadia Leveque,
Operational Risk Officer – Bank of America

“During the time we have been working together I have found him to be a very supportive manager. He has demonstrated that he is open-minded and willing to consider different approaches.

He has also shown himself able to manage multiple projects within tight deadlines and has excellent time management and organization skills.

He has the ability to organize his workload in the presence of frequent interruptions. I have also found him to have a high degree of analytical and critical thinking skills.”

Christian Huneault,
Senior Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“It has been a pleasure working with you over the past year. I wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the amazing tools you built, sharing these with our team (teaching us how to use them) to help us all be more successful. This really shows your commitment to our team’s success. I will continue to use the trackers and the data mining tools going forward, thanks again!”

Melonie Schroeder,
Branch Manager – Bank of Montreal

“Abe’s outstanding dedication to drive innovation within the financial technology industry, technical expertise and his ability to connect the dots makes him a great mentor in all aspects. During our project he was able to cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by empowering us to think creatively and challenge the status quo. I am confident that Abe will keep driving a positive change in the Fintech industry through his career.”

Budoor Mohammed,
Civil Engineering/Fintech – University of Bahrain

“Thank you Abe for being an exceptional mentor during our graduation project for the Master’s degree in Fintech. With your years of experience in the financial technology industry and strong academic background, you brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. As a mentor, you have consistently demonstrated the ability to guide and inspire us in our research and project development. We sincerely appreciate your invaluable insights, support, and guidance throughout our journey.”

Nour Alfuhaid,
Financial Analyst – Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)

“Abe is an exceptional mentor for anyone seeking guidance and expertise in the field of Fintech. I had the pleasure of being mentored by Abe during my MSc in Fintech at the University of Bahrain, and it was an invaluable experience. His passion for entrepreneurship was truly inspiring, and he helped me develop a strong entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging me to think outside the box and explore new ideas. What impressed me the most about Abe was his ability to deliver his knowledge in a way that was both engaging and informative.”

Ali Althawadi,
Manager/MSc Fintech – Althawadi/University of Bahrain

Experience  Download Resume

Founder, Chief Executive Officer | ALCHEMY Digital Solutions

Aug 2016 – Present

▪ Steered groundbreaking transformation initiatives by utilizing an extensive understanding of evolving digital trends to provide strategic consultation for prominent Financial Institutions. Successfully directed transformative strategies that aligned digital advancements with business objectives, fostering an environment of innovation and sustained growth.
▪ Established robust Centres of Excellence to foster innovation, instilling a culture of continuous improvement, and assuring alignment with organizational goals.
▪ Implemented ground-breaking digital capabilities, driving improvements in customer/employee experience, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
▪ Delivered expert-led workshops and seminars, nurturing a deep understanding of Digital Transformation, Agile Delivery, and FinTech within the organizations.
▪ Consulted and led key transformational initiatives by developing a ‘Digital Strategy’ with a clear roadmap of digital capabilities, dependencies, sustainment, and expected ROI.
▪ Designed Technology and Business Architecture with high reusability and enterprise scalability.

Chief Strategy/Innovation/Product Officer | Fintech Galaxy

Mar 2020 – Jun 2023

▪ Spearheaded both Product and Technology domains across the entire product lifecycle spectrum, successfully orchestrating the implementation of the FINX Open Finance platform, skilfully addressing both compliance and aggregation use cases to optimize operational efficiency and regulatory adherence.
▪ Developed FinHub973, a state-of-the-art national Digital Innovation Lab for Bahrain, bringing together the power of Open Banking Technical Sandbox, Regulatory Sandbox, Innovation/Crowdsourcing, and a global FinTech marketplace.
▪ Acted as the trusted advisor for Financial Institutions and Regulators, providing strategic guidance on Open
Banking/Finance activation and driving effective implementation of use cases.
▪ Led the Innovation team responsible for all innovation programs for Financial Institutions, including Hackathons, Innovation Challenges, Accelerators, etc., fostering the development and implementation of pioneering solutions to drive product evolution and business growth.
▪ Led the strategy development for Open Banking/Finance, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, for both the company and for clients, resulting in focused delivery, enhanced operations, and customer excellence.

Senior Manager, Financial Services | Deloitte Middle East

Jun 2019 - Dec 2019

▪ Rendered top-tier management consulting services, honing in on Open Banking, Digital Transformation, and FinTech to streamline operations and boost customer satisfaction.
▪ Played a pivotal role in launching Deloitte’s Digital Delivery Center in Riyadh, improving regional service delivery and business performance.
▪ Conducted interactive seminars and workshops, stimulating the growth of the Digital and FinTech ecosystem.
▪ Exhibited superior salesmanship, successfully closing large-scale deals, strengthening relationships with key clients, and boosting revenue.

Head of Digital Banking | FINZO, Arab Financial Services (AFS)

Jan 2019 - Jun 2019

▪ Led the Digital Banking/FinTech business, implementing a robust growth plan and strategic initiatives to drive profitability and organizational growth.
▪ Negotiated and maintained fruitful vendor and client relationships, solidifying the organization’s standing in the market.
▪ Supported the development of the Fintech ecosystem landscape in the region.
▪ Developed comprehensive business plans and adoption strategies for the Digital Banking agenda, catering to a variety of target markets in the region, leading to a significant increase in customer base.

AVP, Digital Banking Platform Owner | First Abu Dhabi Bank

Dec 2017 - Dec 2018

▪ Orchestrated the strategy and roadmap for FAB’s Digital Banking platform, leading to successful delivery of FAB’s first true digital offering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
▪ Initiated and facilitated cross-functional workshops, ensuring comprehensive involvement in the launch of the bank’s first digital offering in the KSA.
▪ Implemented Service-Design principles, creating best-in-class user experiences and customer journeys across digital channels that resulted in heightened user engagement.
▪ Formed strategic partnerships in the FinTech ecosystem, facilitating the introduction of innovative digital solutions that differentiated the bank in a highly competitive market.
▪ Managed the tracking and reporting of KPIs for digital channels effectiveness.

Seasonal Professor, Master of Business Administration (Professional Program) | University of Ottawa

Jun 2014 - Dec 2017

▪ Taught graduate-level lectures and seminars, providing students with a deep understanding of Corporate Performance Management, Economics, Business Analytics, and Leadership.
▪ Employed innovative pedagogical techniques, fostering an engaging learning environment, and facilitating students’ application of theoretical concepts to real-life business challenges.

Director, Business Process and Digitization, Personal & Commercial Banking | BMO Bank of Montreal

Dec 2013 - Jun 2017

▪ Led enterprise Digital Transformation initiatives, with the launch of eForms/eSignature digital capabilities, promoting operational excellence and efficiency, and driving the organization’s evolution to a leading digital bank, while ensuring alignment and compliance with regulations and standards.
▪ Developed and managed business case analysis and project reports for enterprise-wide digitization program (+$200MM), leading to cost savings and improved productivity.
▪ Simplified and enhanced the control framework, processes and procedures.
▪ Directed Change Management and Training activities, ensuring smooth transition during the rollout of new business processes and technology tools.
▪ Established/led an Enterprise Center of Excellence (ECOE), fostering best practice sharing, knowledge transfer, and continuous learning across the organization.
▪ Managed the training of operational functions in the rollout of banking support activities.

Business Analysis Manager | JPMorgan Chase Bank

Sep 2010 - Dec 2013

▪ Provided strategic direction through complex business analysis, planning, forecasting, and key performance reporting that resulted in optimized resources, reduced operational costs, mitigated risk, and enhanced customer experience, across sites.
▪ Supervised strategic and operational reporting/analytics functions, providing key insights to guide decision making across Chase Card Services.
▪ Developed and deployed robust performance management, process improvement, and risk control frameworks, significantly reducing operational risks, and enhancing business performance.

AVP, Risk Management /AML Operations/ Business Analytics Manager | Bank of America, MBNA

Feb 2005 - Sep 2010

▪ Delivered key enterprise initiatives, including revamping the AML/ KYC processes, enhanced performance scorecards, heightened credit risk strategies, and improved employee/client engagement.
▪ Designed and deployed new technology solutions that delivered high-impact value, resolved complex business problems,increased client NPS, enhanced client retention and mitigated operational, regulatory and credit risks.

EDUCATION AND ACCREDITATIONS
Digital Disruption – Digital Transformation Strategies
Emeritus
2021

Yellow Belt Lean Six Sigma
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa; Ottawa, Canada
2015

Investment Funds in Canada – Banking and Financial Support Services
Canadian Securities Institute
2015

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa; Ottawa, Canada
2014

Bachelor of Science, Mathematics – Specialization in Applied Analysis
Carleton University; Ottawa, Canada
2011

TESTIMONIALS

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Abe during his time as Chief Product Officer at Fintech Galaxy. Abe’s exceptional leadership and deep understanding of Open Banking, Open Finance, FinTech, and Digital Innovation greatly contributed to our organization’s success.

Abe played a key role in designing and implementing various platforms and applications, including the FINX Open Finance platform, myFINX Financial Management app, and FinHub973 Digital Innovation Lab. His innovative approach to Open Banking and Open Finance use cases set him apart as a leader in the industry.

Alongside his technical expertise, Abe excelled as a communicator and advisor. He guided Financial Institutions and Regulators through the complexities of Open Banking, driving adoption and implementation across the industry. With a background in digital transformation, analytics, and operational excellence, Abe brings valuable skills to any organization.

As a product leader, Abe fostered collaboration and continuous improvement within agile product teams. His ethical and high-integrity leadership style inspired his team to deliver their best work.

I highly recommend Abe for executive leadership roles in FinTech, Open Banking/Finance, or Digital Transformation. His extensive experience, innovative mindset, and dedication to excellence ensure that he will continue to make a significant impact in any organization he joins.”

Vladimir Pintea,
VP Open Banking Engineering and Payments – Trovata

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Abe on the development of our digital lab “FinHub973”, and I can confidently say that his technical knowledge in open banking is extensive and unparalleled. Abe demonstrated a deep understanding of different open banking APIs, protocols, and security measures. He always provided insightful perspectives and ideas and went out of his way to provide useful recommendations.

Abe’s communication skills are excellent, and he has the ability to convey highly complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner. Abe is a highly skilled professional who is dedicated, reliable, and passionate about his work. He is also a great mentor to young professionals. I am confident that he would be an asset to any team or organization that is looking to leverage emerging technologies to drive innovation and growth.”

Yasmeen Al-Sharaf,
Director FinTech & Innovation Unit – Central Bank of Bahrain

“I had the opportunity to work with Abe on an Open Banking piece for my client during which he played the role of an SME on the engagement. His deep knowledge of the subject and the way he was able to articulate the concepts during the different discussions with the Team and the client played a key role in the success of the engagement.

Abe also demonstrated advanced leadership skills and effectively guided the Team during the development of the material and provided feedback in a timely manner.

Abe is certainly a great Consultant whom I look forward to working with again in the future.”

Abdulrazzak El Bidawi,
Director Monitor – Deloitte ME

“I had the absolute pleasure of working with Abe on an engagement where he provided his expertise as a Fintech, Open Banking and Digital Banking Subject Matter Expert. His conceptual and technical knowledge on Fintech, combined with his ability to relate them to deep financial industry concepts was truly admirable. His passion for Fintech resonates through his professionalism and quality of outcome. He is an excellent advisor and true professional to work with.”

Bilal Qureshi,
Director – Digital Transformation & Emerging Technologies – Deloitte ME

“I had the pleasure of working with Abe for a large public sector client in the GCC where we working on a strategic initiative within FinTech. It was one of the best experiences while at Deloitte as I learnt extensively from Abe’s hands-on experience and well versed knowledge of the industry. He has immense knowledge in the and his years of experience was also visible to the client who were in awe of the work we produced! It was a pleasure working with Abe and look forward to working again soon!”

Jassim Bangara,
Chief of Staff – Enterprise Technology Consulting – Deliotte ME

“After having the distinct pleasure of working closely with Abe across a range of engagements I cannot help but stress how invaluable and insightful his careful and nurturing approach to leadership and team management is to the development of organizational talent and to my personal growth.

Abe is an exceptional leader who possesses a wealth of digital and financial services knowledge and who brings unique perspectives and energy to every team meet and client interaction. He has an innate ability to manage and digest complex problems that when combined with the breadth of his experiences as a veteran in the financial services industry and his approachable demeanor make him the ideal mentor for any junior consultant looking to grow in the Fintech space.”

Shadi Youssef Nassar,
Business Analyst – Deloitte ME

“I had the pleasure of working with Abe at the start of my time with the Deloitte Digital team in the Middle East. He is a very passionate FinTech practitioner and an individual that was always supportive of his team. He was always happy to share his knowledge and discuss new ideas with the team to better their grasp on the topics at hand. As a more a junior member of the team I felt that Abe brought the excitement needed to the team to keep motivated and ensure we as a collective were moving forward in the right direction.”

Tara Horgan,
Senior Consultant – Deloitte ME

“I had the privilege of working with Abe when I first transitioned to the Deloitte Digital team. Abe is a genuine character with strong charisma who looks to forge strong relationships with his colleagues. Abe demonstrates strong capabilities in the FinTech and Digital Banking space, and as a junior working alongside him, Abe constantly looked to share his knowledge and helped me develop my understanding. He is a great mentor, and a great consultant.”

Abdullah Wali,
Consultant – Deloitte ME

“Abe is an excellent advisor for people looking for guidance and knowledge in Fintech. Abe was my mentor during my Fintech Masters degree at University of Bahrain, and his insights, advice, and guidance were very valuable. Abe showed an exceptional dedication towards elevating mindsets by promoting creativity in ideas and encouraging us towards improving them. He uses his knowledge and expertise to link concepts and ideas to help produce unique Fintech products for the market in the region. Despite his work commitments and busy schedule, Abe always made himself available and reachable whenever needed. Abe encouraged and motivated us throughout our capstone project journey which gave us the push needed to excel in our project and presentations. Truly, Abe is an inspiration and his Fintech expertise is an asset to the region.”

Zahraa Almeshaima,
Fintech/Data Analytics – National Bank of Bahrain

“Abe’s guidance not only helped me successfully complete my project but also inspired me with invaluable skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit me in my future endeavors. From the initial stages of project planning to the final presentation, he demonstrated an impressive level of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication and his expertise in the technical aspects of open banking / open finance technology was evident throughout the entire process.
What truly sets Abe apart is his exceptional mentorship style; he fostered an environment of open communication and encouraged me to think critically, ask questions, and explore innovative approaches. Also, he provided constructive feedback and guidance that helped shape the direction of my project, ensuring its academic rigor and relevance. Personally, I think he went above and beyond to ensure that I had the necessary resources and support to succeed.
I have no doubt that he will continue to have a profound impact on the academic and professional lives of others. I wholeheartedly recommend Abe for his exceptional mentorship and expertise, which make him an invaluable asset to any institution.”

Eman Ayman,
MSc Fintech – University of Bahrain

“Abe’s extensive knowledge of Open Banking and Open Finance, which was the subject of my Capstone graduating project, has aided me throughout the process.
Under his mentorship, I received all the assistance, support, and guidance I needed to deliver a well-prepared Capstone project in the best possible way.
He played an integral role in helping me reach my full potential, think critically, and be open to different resources and I am confident that he will continue to play an important role in defining the Fintech Industry.”

GhadaMiari,
Software Engineer – Level Z

“I have had the opportunity to work with Abe on various times during his career at Bank of America. During this time, I have witnessed his continuous growth in a number of areas extending from an exceptional commitment to individual and team goals, impeccable attention to detail, desire to always raise the bar and most recently, effectively managing the efforts of others.

While Abe has gone through these changes, the one constant has been that he pushes himself harder than any team mate can do. His contributions have been invaluable to many. His attitude is contagious. He is committed to his own work, while also regularly supporting others with their own goals. Abe is a true asset to the Bank of America and he has proven his ability to be successful across many roles. I wish him much luck in his endeavours”

Deb Blair,
Senior Operations Manager – Bank of America

“I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Abe on the eForms/eSignature Project, a large Enterprise Transformation project at BMO. Abe has a strong ability to lead teams and deliver on significant project milestones on time, on budget and on schedule. Abe’s experience and analytical prowess enable him to identify and navigate around large program risks. He is very creative and open-minded when leading the team through planning possible options for the project.

One of the very impressive qualities I must mention about Abe is his passion for technology and his ability to adapt to new. Abe and I worked together to deliver a very advanced capture flow designed to help branch employees to scan and store the paper documents as fast as possible with very little errors. Abe continued to amaze me as well with his knowledge about e-signatures when we had various discussions with business and vendors. He is very knowledgeable on this topic and he provided very valuable input about the way to use it in combination with the tablets and/or desktops to offer our customers the best experience.

Abe’s personal qualities also served him well professionally: his exceptional calm and a steady judgement come through consistently throughout the project. Not only is he always positive and constructive, ready to address the situation hands-on, but also managed to transmit these qualities to team members and their interactions.

Abe’s strong communication skills enable his to facilitate the program governance process with Executive Management.”

Cristina Busuioc,
Senior Technology Officer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is one of the most professional, knowledgeable and thoughtful people that I have worked with on the eForms/eSignature project under the Digitization program. He shows great passion designing, developing and implementing optimized technology solutions for complex problems. He is the “Go To” person in the Digitization space for his knowledge of the digital capabilities, his understanding of the issues, his original creative ideas and his thorough execution.

Working with Abe on various aspects of eForms/eSignature, I’ve found him intellectual, organized, creative and dedicated. He has broad experience and knowledge, and works very well with diverse groups of people. He can be counted on to plan carefully and thoroughly, to mobilize the needed resources, to motivate stakeholders, and to make sure things get done in a timely manner with great results. He worked effectively with the Digitization team as well as other major internal partners and external vendors to ensure that the overall solution was delivered, meeting the needs of current digital world and enhancing customer and employee experience.

Abe is one of the best colleagues that I have worked with and have enjoyed all of our encounters, and I recommend him very highly!”

Varun Trivedi,
Digitization Business Analyst – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe and I collaborate frequently as colleagues and his experience and significant technical capabilities are not only valuable to my servicing areas but to the entire line of business as well. Under his leadership, the Workforce Management team addresses all matters regarding capacity planning, strategic budgeting and resource allocation. Equally unique to his skill set is his ability to leverage his extensive problem solving skills towards resolving complex reporting and staffing issues that arise within our environment.

On a personal note, Abe is well perceived by his peers and senior leadership team for his interpersonal skills and his genuine desire to foster an environment that is conducive to collaboration and productive working relationships at all levels of the organization. His ability to multi-task his career workload coupled with a demanding Mathematics Applied Analysis degree is a clear reflection of his discipline towards achieving his goals, strong organizational skills and work ethic.”

Giovani Bazile,
Service Operations Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has been an integral part in developing core processes and infrastructure on the team to ensure that the day to day functions are being executed more efficiently in order to free up additional time for the team to complete other things. There are a number of key accomplishments including development of a scheduling “software” to execute schedules outside of the limited EWFM tool, launch of SharePoint, the flex scheduler as well as a number of “high priority” assignments outside of the scope of WFM (i.e. AML remediation).

Abe has also made significant strides in the training and development of his staff, while also hosting “lunch and learn” type sessions for the team managers at the sites. This has assisted in expanding the knowledge base and cross-functional expertise of his team. Some progress has been made with the managers within WFM – they have improved their leadership and performance management skills.”

Tara Shea,
Senior Business Operations Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“It has been a great experience to work with a passionate business partner like Abe through the eForms/eSignatures project in the past year. Abe has been a champion for the business, trying to leverage the technology to the fullest to transform and simplify the business processes.

Abe’s technical acumen is beyond a normal business lead, he constantly tried to push the envelope forward by supporting technology innovation efforts. He built a GMC COE team on business side to execute form template design – a technical function that integrated seamlessly with business function. He worked closely with technology partners throughout the project, he always took a great interest in the technical solution in more details, and was able to understand and articulate the E2E solution in the business context. He has been a great support and effective liaison between Business and Technology on the eForms/eSignature project, which was the key to the success of this Digitization initiative.”

Maggie Wan,
Technical Head BMO – Bank of Montreal

“My experience working with Abe, both here at Chase and at MBNA/BAC has been very positive.  Abe is very focused on finding and creating solutions that dramatically improves the efficiency of the impacted departments.  Abe communicates very well, and can tailor his communication based on his audience i.e. analytical vs non-analytical.  Some of the character traits that I would use to describe Abe would be the following:

  • Efficient
  • Analytical
  • Effective communicator
  • Has the ability to get it done
  • Can-do attitude
  • Hard working
  • Positive attitude

Abe is very approachable and has been flexible with his time to meet with Fraud Operations to discuss our scheduling challenges and work with his team to solve them.”

Joedy Tapp,
Fraud Operations Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I have worked with Abe during eForms/eSignature initiative. Although he is an outstanding product owner, his technical skills and appreciation to technology are excellent. As part of eForms COE, he formed a technology team (consists of business analysts and developers). He interviewed and selected those talents in technology area for this eForms COE. Abe aspires to develop components that are reusable across the organization. An example of this is that he along with the technology team came up with idea of developing one application to handle anything & everything around Documentation such as sharing, scanning, eSignature etc. Further Abe has good vendor management skills. He has been working with GMC and Silanis technology companies on negotiating and building features as part of the EFES projects.
I personally support cross skills movement from Technology to Business and Business to Technology. This helps the organization with diversity of skills. Abe’s experience and mindset will be assets to the Technology organization.”

KajanBalasundaram,
Director/Sr. Technology Officer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I have attended with Abe requirement sessions, troubleshooting and design discussion sessions some of them related to complicated technology matters like printing protocols having issues, as well as side discussions about matters like services orchestrations and timing … for more than a year.

We, in technology, often agreed (and this came often in our side conversations) that Abe is savvy when it comes to technical matters. Yet none had suggested knowing the reason ….. I see Abe as having the courage to contribute to leading the change of culture that is needed for the IT transformation in BMO. I have seen Abe much more capable of taking calculated, careful risks, and daring to do what it takes to succeed. Abe was surely much more courageous in making calculated risk in BMO’s very risk aversive culture, which desperately needs to change (not to a risky, but to an automated, Agile and responsive one!). His opinions often sounded assuring to others.… I also see Abe capable of inspiring a more flat team (something that is extensively needed for Agile transformation) and BMO needs.

Abe is clearly curious and passionate about “good design” and good technology … that, everyone agrees on!… Abe has very good analytical sense and imagination, and is capable of better reasoning …On top of the above, I would wish Abe success in BMO … he’s been appreciated by all!”

Ferris Mendwi,
Sr. Application Software Developer – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I think your knowledge and experience in seeing how the Business has operated will see you well in Technology as it will give you a holistic view on how the entire process operates. Your passion, dedication and drive towards your work and relationship management dealing with Business and Technology will definitely help you as you pursue greater career goals on the Technology side…”

Mohsen Azizi,
Software Development Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“In December of 2006 I became responsible for business continuity; unfortunately I was housed in the CCO, that’s when I met Abe. My role in BC caused me to work many office hours. As I did, I watched, as Abe would put in extra time developing software solutions for other business areas. As I worked beside Abe, I watched him grow in his role. He became the manager of Customer Experience and delivered a fine program to us all.

I watched the economy take a down turn and I watched Abe lose his entire department and staff, he absorbed it with dignity and professionalism. I never once heard him say a disparaging word about his employer. He moved on and rebuilt, became a people manager again, displayed the same passion for the job and the people.

Abe is a people person and one who has the skills to manage efforts, he exhibits a passion for service. I believe that Abe is able to lead Customer Service to a new level, he never tires and I bet I will see him at work on the floor in off hours.”

Don McCrae,
Business Continuity Consultant – Bank of America

“Your progressive Can-Do attitude, blue sky thinking and ability to grasp complex technical concepts are exactly what we need in technology. I believe that with your understanding of the business side and needs, you are in a great position to be able to bridge the divide that currently exists between Technology and Business.”

Peter Chub,
Project Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe, I very much appreciate your leadership style and the fundamental changes and improvement that you have already introduced to our team. They are essential, in particular:
The structure you have started to develop and establish for our team, such as the Project and Tasks List with logical flow and type of information. You quickly recognized the need to have a register to more accurately describe the details of our work assignment and progress.

  • The expectation you have set, such as for the Team To-Do List to ensure it highlights the priority of current commitments.
  • The details that you expect for our performance evaluations will enable us to capture our goals and accomplishment as well as our actions for Being BMO.
  • The Goal Setting Workshop you had led helped us clearly understand what is required and made logical sense without ambiguity.
  • Your support and commitment to recognize our work and work efforts with no surprises at performance discussions.
  • The opportunity for regular one-on-one meetings to review progress, and ensure on track for year-end.
  • Your commitment to help with our career development goals.

Your enthusiasm is motivating! These changes and improvement will transparently communicate the work, expectation and the results.

That is very positive. Thank you!”

Joy Ahong,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is focused, goal oriented and has a real passion for leading his team to successfully deliver on our F’15 initiatives. He has clearly demonstrated the importance of goal setting and has held presentations with the entire BP&I team so we clearly understand the process and get it right and be recognized for our accomplishments and the value we bring into our overall work. This is a true example of how he exemplifies our one bank, one team approach. He brings a fresh branch perspective into the team and I welcome his wonderful energy and positive demeanor.”

Cherrie Tan,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe for the short period that you have been our “fearless” leader, you have certainly changed the dynamic of our team, brining structure, transparency and a new vibe. Your ideas for inclusion and transparency are easy to implement, for example leveraging and promoting the use of the SharePoint site as a focal point to allocate our projects/Tasks. This provides a one stop feature that makes it simple to see who is doing what and who can help out if a situation arises.

Our team meetings are engaging and informative. You demonstrate the personable skills a manager requires, you’re open, you’re easy to talk to and you make yourself available for “ad-hoc” drop in questions and certainly demonstrate the “open door” policy. You also share best practices especially around the Performance Planning and Assessment (PPA) process – that was very important as I’ve never attended a session with such thought and openness on how to structure a PPA and what to include.”

Anita Pereira,
Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe, in the little time that I have known you, you have displayed great enthusiasm and initiative by leading our team (and all of Business Process and Integration) through the Performance Planning and Assessment Goal setting work. I can honestly say that in my 15 years at the bank, you have provided the most direction and standardization I have ever received in this area. The guide and worksheet you have created and your step by step direction has made completing the goals straightforward and easy. Thanks for all the leadership in this area.”

Yuk-Fan Cho,
Sr. Business Process Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Since Abe has been with the company, I have seen a great difference in the Operations of WFM within the Ottawa site. They seems to understand the nature of the Operation side of business now and are more empathetic to our needs. He has not only helped his team develop skills but has also helped the management team with their analytical skills.

My experience with WFM in the past has not always been the greatest when it comes to their approach in handling difficult decision and being able to make executive decision however, in the past year or so, we have all seen a difference in their overall approach.

Abe was quick to realize that there were several issues within the team that needed to be fixed. He set up meetings with the management team to start fixing what needed to be. He is open to ideas and suggestions and is quick to implement.”

Crystal Millette,
CMS Team Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“In the short time that Abe has been with the company, he has displayed tremendous energy in improving our processes in a sustainable manner which will support ongoing growth. The wealth of knowledge in analytics and reporting that Abe provides has been a great asset not only to my line of business, but to the company as a whole, and has tremendously improved synergy site-wide. He also brings a “fresh” perspective having recently joined the company, and does not shy away from adding to his already exhaustive list of on-going projects if required. I have actively participated in several projects with Abe and his excellent organizational skills are also evident.

From a personal standpoint, my interactions with Abe have always been extremely pleasant; a courteous, composed and respectful individual who is always first to help when needed. It is an admirable trait to maintain a smile and a positive attitude in such a results-driven, deadline-oriented environment. I look forward to working with him going forward and would recommend him for the role of Senior Business Operations Manager. His business acumen, relentless drive, and approachable nature will prove to be a greater asset to Chase Card Services as a whole.”

Marc El-Khoury,
CCD Team Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has a great passion for technology and a desire to come up with new and efficient ways of delivering projects. Throughout the EFES project Abe was engaged directly with many technology teams. He shows a strong understanding of the applications and how they tied in with one another. He was an active participant in suggesting solutions to address technical roadblocks that occurred. Abe’s product knowledge and business strengths combined with his technical knowledge are very beneficial.”

Daisy Benipal,
Senior Technology Consultant – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Strong motivator – It is clear Abe has a strong sense of when and how to motivate Associates.

Work Ethic – Abe’s work ethic is matched by few as is his desire to assist others regardless of his own work load.

Knowledge Base – Abe has knowledge base from both a technical and Customer perspective, something that is not very common within most departments.

There are not many who cannot learn something from Abe and in conjunction with that he is always more than willing to move those forward who are willing and ready to learn more.”

Gary Robertson,
Operations Manager – Bank of America

“As Branch Manager with the Ottawa Centre team, Abe added a new and dynamic addition to the team as both a passionate and knowledgeable. Many new ideas were brought to Ottawa Centre that led to increased results and better tracking tools.”

Sandra Sorrenti,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I will describe Abe as a hard worker. He is not afraid of challenge; in fact this is what he needs to keep himself interested. He is a passionate in general and likes to be intellectually busy. In a group of people, Abe will not be the quiet one; he is more the “active” participant at the table that will bring new ideas, share experiences, opinions or spreadsheets! Also Abe is receptive to others suggestions and ideas. He is always available if someone needs help. He will also recognize when good work has been done. I really enjoyed working with Abe.”

Julie Gaudreault,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“I have always found Abe to be an excellent collaborator, who is full of ideas on how to make us better at our jobs, which is very admirable.”

David Christie,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe was always there to help when needed. He thinks outside the box and helped the team come up with different ways of tracking to know where the team was vs. target so we could identify any gaps that needed to be addressed earlier rather than later. Abe always speaks up and is not afraid of asking questions when needed.”

Christine Alexandra Simpson,
Branch Manager – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is an individual with great amount of energy. He is able to provide visions and motive people around him.

Within months of his current role I saw improvements done on several processes of different functions within or related to the department that he managed.

He is also a unique gem within the management team that has a solid technical background that can be very handy when dealing with different data sources in an interdepartmental setting.

More importantly, he is also selflessly willing to share his expertise with those in need to achieve the common corporate goal.”

Andy Kuo,
Senior Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Abe has an extensive knowledge of the digital tools at our disposal, their cogs and their limitations too. He knows how to leverage each of these technological tools and how to extend their usefulness to different projects. Dynamic and action driven, with his solid business background and experience, with his strategic vision and with his great communications skills, Abe brings a unique combination of leadership, innovation and execution.”

Sebastien Cousineau,
Sr. Consultant (eForms/eSignature COE) – BMO Bank of Montreal

“Abe is one of the hardest working team-mates I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He is extremely focused on driving results for the business and always looks for innovative ways to improve the department to ensure processes are done more efficiently through the use of his vast knowledge and experience.

Personally for me though, Abe’s greatest asset is his personality. He is enthusiastic, positive and willing to help his team-mates every day that he comes into the office, going above and beyond to ensure he drives his team to excel. He is a true leader!”

Julie Deslisle-Marier,
Technical Delivery Manager – Bank of America

“Although I am very new to the Business Analytic and Reporting Team, over the past few months I have had a chance to interact and work with Abe Karar. From the interactions I have had, he has a great understanding of the business, reporting, and analytics. He has shown me different ways to look at reporting, seeming always to have fresh new ideas.

One observation I can make; Abe is always willing to take the time to educate his people as well as others. He is driven to make the business better not always waiting for something to go wrong, he seems very proactive in trying to build on what we have today and making it much better.

He has a wealth of knowledge and a clear passion for business. Abe would be a perfect candidate for the Senior Business Operations Manager.”

Kevin Gallien,
Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Abe in a few capacities surrounding reporting and all of them have been excellent. I have found Abe’s ability to work through issues and present solutions superior.

He has a very strong technical background but his ability to communicate and work with individuals is just as strong. He truly does put the customer’s needs (external and internal) at the forefront of his thinking. I look forward to working with Abe in the Future.”

Ben Adam,
Customer Assistance Operational Risk Officer – Bank of America

“While working with Abe over the past couple of years, I’ve been very impressed with his knowledge in terms of system programs, database management, reporting and analytics. Every interaction I have with Abe has been very positive and he always speaks with logic when faced with a challenge of any sort.

Abe is also a very pleasant person and is always willing to help no matter what. In my opinion these are key features a leader must demonstrate to be successful.”

Michel Prudhomme,
Business Process Team Lead – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“Although my interactions with Abe have been limited, throughout my experience working with him he has demonstrated a strong work ethic and desire to assist in all situations, even when outside of his scope of responsibilities. Abe possesses excellent analytical and communication skills which allow him, on an ongoing basis, to effectively collaborate across functions and support groups.”

Josianne Gignac,
Regional Training Manager – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“I have worked with Abe on numerous projects, issues and reports while in his many positions throughout the bank. In summary, Abe has always been a pleasure to work with, delivering every time a consistently high level of service. His work is always well researched, covering all anticipated questions in an understandable format.

Abe is always eager to find solutions and quick to offer us his Point of View. He always has positive attitude and fosters a friendly/comfortable atmosphere. His technical abilities and understanding of the bank’s operations make him an asset to any department he works for.

While in my current role within ORM Abe has been, and continues to be, instrumental in my understanding of the systems side of AML. He always makes time to walk me through system processes also inviting me to his team learning sessions. I look forward to working with Abe on implementing controls within the AML process this year.”

Nadia Leveque,
Operational Risk Officer – Bank of America

“During the time we have been working together I have found him to be a very supportive manager. He has demonstrated that he is open-minded and willing to consider different approaches.

He has also shown himself able to manage multiple projects within tight deadlines and has excellent time management and organization skills.

He has the ability to organize his workload in the presence of frequent interruptions. I have also found him to have a high degree of analytical and critical thinking skills.”

Christian Huneault,
Senior Business Analyst – JPMorgan Chase Card Services

“It has been a pleasure working with you over the past year. I wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the amazing tools you built, sharing these with our team (teaching us how to use them) to help us all be more successful. This really shows your commitment to our team’s success. I will continue to use the trackers and the data mining tools going forward, thanks again!”

Melonie Schroeder,
Branch Manager – Bank of Montreal

“Abe’s outstanding dedication to drive innovation within the financial technology industry, technical expertise and his ability to connect the dots makes him a great mentor in all aspects. During our project he was able to cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by empowering us to think creatively and challenge the status quo. I am confident that Abe will keep driving a positive change in the Fintech industry through his career.”

Budoor Mohammed,
Civil Engineering/Fintech – University of Bahrain

“Thank you Abe for being an exceptional mentor during our graduation project for the Master’s degree in Fintech. With your years of experience in the financial technology industry and strong academic background, you brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. As a mentor, you have consistently demonstrated the ability to guide and inspire us in our research and project development. We sincerely appreciate your invaluable insights, support, and guidance throughout our journey.”

Nour Alfuhaid,
Financial Analyst – Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)

“Abe is an exceptional mentor for anyone seeking guidance and expertise in the field of Fintech. I had the pleasure of being mentored by Abe during my MSc in Fintech at the University of Bahrain, and it was an invaluable experience. His passion for entrepreneurship was truly inspiring, and he helped me develop a strong entrepreneurial mindset by encouraging me to think outside the box and explore new ideas. What impressed me the most about Abe was his ability to deliver his knowledge in a way that was both engaging and informative.”

Ali Althawadi,
Manager/MSc Fintech – Althawadi/University of Bahrain

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