Sohail Siddiqi
Financial Systems Transformation & Assurance Leader
Core Banking · National Payment Infrastructure · Audit & Compliance · Financial Control
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
sohail.siddiqi.ca@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/sohail-siddiqi-afgcan
Simcoe Finance & Technology Inc.
Founder & Principal Consultant · 2020 – Present
Professional Summary
Financial Systems Transformation & Assurance Partner with 20+ years of experience leading and ensuring the successful delivery of mission-critical banking and financial systems. Extensive track record across core banking transformation, national payment infrastructure (RTGS, ACH), and multi-institution integrations — operating across central banks, commercial banks, and sovereign financial programs. Known for bringing governance, structure, and execution control in high-risk environments where system failure is not an option.
Core Competencies
—Core Banking System Transformation
—National Payment Infrastructure (RTGS / ACH)
—Financial Systems Integration Architecture
—Audit & Regulatory Compliance (IFRS, ISO)
—Fraud Investigation & Financial Control
—Government & Sovereign Systems Integration
—Vendor Governance & Delivery Oversight
—Institutional Capacity & Training Programs
Key Metrics
20+Years in Financial Systems
11+Banking Institutions Involved
3,000+Professionals Trained
Multi-BankIntegrated Payment Programs
Sohail Siddiqi · Simcoe Finance & Technology Inc. · Toronto, Canada · ConfidentialOctober 2026
Sohail Siddiqi
Financial Systems Transformation & Assurance Leader
Core Banking · National Payment Infrastructure · Audit & Compliance · Financial Control
Toronto, Canada
sohail.siddiqi.ca@gmail.comlinkedin.com/in/sohail-siddiqi-afgcanSimcoe Finance & Technology Inc.
Founder & Principal Consultant · Aug 2023 – Present
Executive Profile
Financial Systems Transformation & Assurance Partner with 20+ years of experience leading and ensuring the successful delivery of mission-critical banking and financial systems. Extensive track record across core banking transformation, national payment infrastructure (RTGS, ACH), and multi-institution integrations — operating across central banks, commercial banks, and sovereign financial programs.
Known for bringing governance, structure, and execution control in high-risk, high-complexity environments where system failure is not an option. Combines financial systems implementation expertise, banking operations leadership, and audit/compliance capability to ensure systems are delivered, integrated, and trusted.
World Bank-funded ProgramsUS Treasury Initiative InvolvementFederal Reserve-aligned Systems11+ Banks — Integration Programs3,000+ Professionals Trained
0+
Years, Financial Systems
0+
Banking Institutions Involved
0+
Professionals Trained
Multi-Bank
Integrated Payment Programs
Current Role
Mandate
Founded and leads Simcoe Finance & Technology Inc. — a Financial Systems Transformation & Assurance practice engaged by financial institutions to ensure successful delivery, governance, and control of mission-critical systems in high-risk environments.
Scope of Engagement
- —Directs system selection, integration architecture, and delivery governance for core banking and national payment platform programs.
- —Provides structured oversight for vendor-led implementations — establishing accountability, compliance discipline, and execution control throughout the delivery lifecycle.
- —Designs financial control frameworks and audit readiness structures aligned with IFRS, ISO 20022, ISO 8583, and ISO 27001 standards.
- —Advises senior institutional leadership on transformation risk, regulatory alignment, and systems governance — operating at ecosystem level, not task level.
Career Experience — Key Domains
Jul 2021 - Jul 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo
- —Led and ensured successful delivery of the central bank's full core banking and financial ERP ecosystem — overseeing lifecycle from specification through stabilization across all operational domains.
- —Directed vendor governance, functional specification, UAT strategy, and technical infrastructure planning — ensuring systems were delivered on scope, on standard, and audit-ready.
- —Established a unified financial ecosystem at the national level, aligning stakeholders across IT, operations, finance, and regulatory functions to ensure seamless integration and control.
- —Oversaw quality assurance, defect resolution, change management, and vendor accountability frameworks — maintaining reliability, security, and compliance across mission-critical banking systems.
- —Built and led a high-performance delivery team, establishing clear accountability, performance standards, and institutional capability for ongoing system governance.
Apr 2018 - Jun 2021 · 3 yrs 3 mos
- —Led implementation of the USD Banknote Management System in direct collaboration with the US Federal Reserve Bank of New York and US Treasury — ensuring full alignment with sovereign financial control standards.
- —Directed delivery of the Automatic Transfer System (ATS) and Central Securities Depository (CSD) — establishing real-time fund transfer infrastructure and enabling government securities market development.
- —Oversaw implementation of the AML platform at the Financial Investigation Unit — strengthening the central bank's capacity for financial crime detection, regulatory reporting, and inter-agency coordination.
- —Directed delivery of the Integrated Regulatory Platform for Banking Supervision — enabling risk-based oversight, data-driven supervision, and enhanced accountability across the banking sector.
Jan 2014 - Mar 2018 · 4 yrs 3 mos
- —Ensured operational stability of critical banking systems through structured production support, performance monitoring, and proactive risk management — achieving 90% issue resolution and a 30% improvement in service quality.
- —Led root cause analysis and incident response frameworks — reducing system downtime and strengthening application availability across core banking infrastructure.
- —Directed change management, defect resolution, and quality control processes — reducing operational errors by 15% and increasing user satisfaction by 40%.
- —Governed vendor relationships across SLA compliance, audit cycles, and system improvements — ensuring consistent delivery accountability and financial control standards.
Jul 2011 - Dec 2013 · 2 yrs 6 mos
- —Led delivery of 10+ banking products across a 15-person cross-border technical team spanning 3 countries — overseeing planning, execution, and go-live assurance in a high-complexity environment.
- —Directed the full core banking transformation — replacing a 57-year-old legacy system with a modern CBS platform encompassing Treasury, Money Markets, Foreign Exchange, and Fixed Asset modules.
- —Oversaw data migration from the legacy KARTOTEK system across 300+ banking staff — ensuring full balance sheet reconciliation, branch-level rollout, and operational continuity.
- —Integrated core banking operations with mobile network operators and utility service centers — extending financial access and ensuring seamless ecosystem connectivity.
- —Identified systemic operational gaps and delivered infrastructure recommendations adopted at board level — strengthening institutional governance and delivery discipline.
- —Designed and executed training programs for 200+ staff across the country, building institutional capability for long-term system ownership and control.
Nov 2006 - Jun 2011 · 4 yrs 8 mos
- —Led country-level delivery operations for Virmati Software — directing end-to-end core banking implementation lifecycle across 5 commercial banks in Afghanistan.
- —Oversaw full delivery programs including system configuration, vendor coordination, integration management, testing governance, and go-live support — ensuring successful rollout across all institutions.
- —Established and scaled a local delivery capability, building client relationships and operational trust across the Afghanistan banking sector.
- —Coordinated cross-border delivery teams between India and Afghanistan — ensuring alignment, accountability, and platform stabilization across all banking institutions.
- —Conducted annual system audits across all 5 institutions — reinforcing governance standards and maintaining long-term operational integrity.
Volunteering
Science and Technology
- —Directed analysis, design, and implementation of IT systems — ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, security standards, and operational requirements.
- —Led assessment of existing systems and processes — identifying governance gaps and delivering structured recommendations to enhance efficiency, resilience, and compliance.
- —Established software development lifecycle policies and control frameworks — ensuring consistent adherence to standards and best practices across delivery programs.
- —Coordinated cross-functional teams of developers, engineers, and analysts — overseeing delivery of high-quality IT initiatives and ensuring accountability across program stakeholders.
Signature Engagements
Software Support Engineer / System Lead
MandateDesign, implement, and deploy comprehensive core banking and enterprise solutions across the central bank.
DeliverySuccessfully implemented 27+ banking applications including iCBS, Foreign Exchange, Treasury & Money Market, Budget Planning, Asset Management, HR, Payroll, and MIS systems.
OutcomeCentral bank achieved full digital transformation with integrated financial ecosystem covering all operational domains.
ScaleCentral Bank · 27+ Modules · Multi-country Implementation
Country Head / Project Manager
MandateMigrate and integrate legacy core banking systems from 5 commercial banks to modern platforms.
DeliveryMigrated and integrated legacy systems from Bank-e-Millie Afghan, Ghazanfar Bank, Maiwand Bank, Pashtany Bank, and Ariain Bank.
OutcomeAll 5 banks successfully transitioned to new platforms with no major downtime. Conducted yearly audits for all institutions.
ScaleAfghanistan Banking Sector · 5 Commercial Banks · Full Migration Lifecycle
Deputy Director / Project Lead
MandateImplement information system to manage US Dollar Banknotes in collaboration with US Federal Reserve and US Treasury.
DeliveryDeveloped and deployed system for managing USD banknote operations within Central Bank of Afghanistan.
OutcomeEnhanced internal controls, improved supervision of financial institutions, and provided regulatory reporting capabilities.
ScaleCentral Bank · Federal Reserve-coordinated · US Treasury-aligned
Deputy Director Finance
MandateImplement Automatic Transfer System (ATS) and Central Securities Depository (CSD) to enhance payment efficiency and government securities market.
DeliveryLed implementation of both systems for real-time fund monitoring and government bond market development.
OutcomeEnhanced fund transfer efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Facilitated secondary market for government securities.
ScaleNational Payment Infrastructure · Government Securities Market
Deputy Director / Implementation Lead
MandateImplement AML application to enhance financial crime detection and regulatory compliance.
DeliveryDeployed AML platform at Financial Investigation Unit with data analysis and inter-agency cooperation capabilities.
OutcomeEnhanced central bank's ability to combat financial crime and maintain regulatory compliance.
ScaleFinancial Crime Prevention · Regulatory Compliance
Global Institutional Engagements
World Bank Group
Financial System Modernization Programs
Directed and contributed to World Bank-funded national financial system modernization programs — leading payment infrastructure delivery, institutional framework design, and multi-stakeholder coordination aligned with international program governance standards.
US Department of the Treasury
Financial Governance Initiatives
Led system implementation aligned with US Treasury financial governance frameworks — overseeing financial control architecture, oversight design, and institutional capacity development within program scope.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Correspondent Banking & Payment Controls
Directed implementation of systems aligned with Federal Reserve correspondent banking frameworks and USD payment control standards — ensuring sovereign-grade control, accountability, and operational integrity.
Core Competencies
—Core Banking System Transformation
—National Payment Infrastructure (RTGS / ACH)
—Financial Systems Integration Architecture
—Audit & Regulatory Compliance (IFRS, ISO)
—Fraud Investigation & Financial Control
—Government & Sovereign Systems Integration
—Vendor Governance & Delivery Oversight
—Institutional Capacity & Training Programs
Positioning & Engagement
Professional Statement
Engaged by financial institutions navigating high-stakes transformation — bringing delivery governance, integration oversight, and execution control across complex, multi-institutional environments where accountability and outcome matter.
Retained for:
- —Mission-critical core banking transformation
- —National payment infrastructure delivery
- —Audit readiness and regulatory assurance
- —Financial control architecture and fraud governance
Certifications & Professional Credentials
✓Certified SAFe® 6 DevOps Practitioner
SAFe by Scaled Agile, Inc.
✓Certified SAFe® 6 Scrum Master
SAFe by Scaled Agile, Inc.
✓Certified SAFe® Agilist
SAFe by Scaled Agile, Inc.
✓Oracle Cloud Data Management 2023 Certified Foundations Associate
Oracle
✓Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 AI Certified Foundations Associate
Oracle
✓Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 Certified Foundations Associate
Oracle
✓Managing Business Solutions in Reserves Management
The World Bank Group
✓Financial Market Infrastructure and FinTech
International Monetary Fund
✓Payment System (RTGS & ACH)
CMA Small Systems AB
✓Security System (Central Security Depository)
CMA Small Systems AB
✓Accounting & Financial Reporting
USAID
✓Islamic Finance and Islamic Products
USAID
Education
Master of Computer Science
Software Engineering
Bakhtar University
GPA: 3.44
Bachelor of Computer Science
Computer Engineering
International School for Management Excellence
Grade: A
Diploma In Business Administration (DBA)
Business Administration
HITEC University
Business Communication
Business/Corporate Communications
Toronto Metropolitan University