Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

ARUNA CHITTA

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

FATCA
  • (FOREIGN ACCOUNT TAX COMPLIANCE ACT) W-8BEN-E ENTITY LETTER DELIVERY
  • OBJECTIVE:
  • Led the annual review and optimization of FATCA W-8BEN-E entity letters for WPB Retail clients, specifically Private Investment Companies (PICs), to ensure compliance with IRS regulations
  • These letters are crucial for requesting updated W-8 forms before expiration, mitigating compliance risks and safeguarding the bank against potential penalties
  • KEY ACHIEVEMENTS USING SAFE METHODOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
  • Optimized Delivery Process Using SAFe:
  • Implemented Agile methodologies and SAFe principles to streamline the W-8BEN-E letter delivery process
  • This included aligning teams to specific Program Increment (PI) objectives, resulting in improved regulatory compliance and enhanced customer experience
  • By focusing on continuous improvement, we increased delivery efficiency and ensured compliance with evolving IRS regulations
  • Sprint-Based Iterations for Regulatory Updates:
  • Executed sprint-based iterations for updating letter content in response to changing IRS regulations and feedback from stakeholders
  • This iterative approach ensured that all communications remained current, compliant, and aligned with regulatory standards, fostering flexibility and adaptability within the team
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration Through Agile Ceremonies:
  • Led cross-functional teams using Agile ceremonies such as daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives to ensure continuous collaboration and process improvements
  • This allowed for effective problem-solving and timely adjustments to the delivery process, ensuring alignment across departments and reducing bottlenecks
  • Process Automation and Standardization:
  • Automated letter generation via OpenText, minimizing manual intervention and ensuring standardized regulatory messaging
  • This alignment with SAFe’s Lean-Agile principles reduced manual errors and allowed for faster, more accurate delivery, ensuring compliance without sacrificing quality
  • IRS Audit Readiness and Compliance Tracking:
  • Led the integration of OnDemand repository archiving, improving audit readiness and enhancing compliance tracking
  • This initiative, in line with SAFe's focus on transparency and data integrity, ensured the secure storage of all letters and simplified the retrieval process for future audits or regulatory reviews
  • Multi-Channel Client Communication (OSG):
  • Integrated multi-channel distribution through Output Services Group (OSG) to deliver letters via both print and email, enhancing client communication
  • This approach aligned with SAFe’s focus on delivering value through continuous and incremental improvements in client-facing processes
  • Minimized Regulatory Risk and Ensured Compliance:
  • Reduced the chance of non-compliance penalties by ensuring all letters adhered to the latest IRS guidelines, demonstrating leadership in risk management and regulatory compliance
  • This proactive approach ensured that the bank remained in good standing with regulators while keeping the customer at the forefront
  • Improved Data Accuracy and Processing Efficiency:
  • Enhanced data accuracy by ensuring all letters met entity-specific compliance requirements, reducing processing errors and further mitigating regulatory risk
  • This was a direct result of applying SAFe’s Lean principles to eliminate waste and optimize process flows
  • Automated Audit Trail for Document Security:
  • Established an automated audit trail for all W-8BEN-E letter transactions, improving document security and transparency
  • This initiative strengthened the bank’s ability to provide complete accountability during audits or regulatory reviews, aligning with SAFe's emphasis on delivering reliable and secure systems.

FATCA B
  • AND C NOTICES
  • OBJECTIVE:
  • FATCA B and C Notices are compliance communications issued by the IRS to withholding agents or entities when discrepancies are identified in reporting or withholding obligations
  • These notices primarily address issues like name and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) mismatches or missing documentation
  • By ensuring timely updates to these notices, HSBC stays compliant with IRS regulations while meeting customer experience and compliance requirements
  • KEY ACHIEVEMENTS USING SAFE METHODOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
  • Agile-Driven Enhancement for Compliance:
  • Led the adoption of SAFe principles to enhance FATCA B and C Notice processing, ensuring alignment with evolving IRS and FATCA regulations
  • This allowed HSBC to stay compliant with tax reporting obligations while delivering continuous value to customers
  • Sprint-Based Iterations for Regulatory Updates:
  • Executed sprint-based iterations to update B-Notice Letter 1 (TIN Mismatch) and C-Notice Letter 2 (Correction Required) in response to regulatory revisions
  • This iterative approach ensured quick adjustments to regulatory changes while maintaining compliance with IRS guidelines
  • Automation for Seamless Processing:
  • Integrated automation triggers through Externalized General Compliance (EGC) upstream, streamlining the generation of B and C Notices
  • This approach aligns with SAFe’s Lean-Agile principles by reducing manual intervention and increasing the accuracy and speed of compliance communications
  • Efficient Processing and Distribution:
  • Processed over 181 B-Notices and 78 C-Notices per cycle via OpenText, ensuring timely and accurate delivery
  • This efficiency was achieved by aligning the process with SAFe’s emphasis on high-quality, incremental delivery that aligns with business goals
  • Audit Readiness and Compliance Tracking:
  • Implemented secure archival processes in the OnDemand repository to ensure IRS audit readiness and compliance tracking
  • This initiative reflects SAFe’s focus on transparency and accountability in compliance-related activities
  • Multi-Channel Distribution for Improved Client Communication:
  • Integrated multi-channel distribution through Output Services Group (OSG), enabling seamless print and email delivery of notices
  • This enhancement improved customer experience by ensuring timely communication of critical compliance notices, in line with SAFe’s focus on delivering customer value through incremental improvements
  • Enhanced Tax Data Accuracy and Risk Mitigation:
  • Led efforts to validate and correct tax records before IRS submission, reducing the potential for penalties and compliance risks
  • This proactive approach ensured that tax data was accurate and aligned with the highest regulatory standards
  • Improved Transparency and Accountability:
  • Established an automated audit trail to enhance transparency and accountability, ensuring that all activities were fully traceable for internal reviews and regulatory audits
  • This initiative supported continuous learning and risk management, core aspects of SAFe’s Lean-Agile mindset
  • FATCA W-9 LETTER DELIVERY PROCESS
  • OBJECTIVE:
  • Led the enhancement of the FATCA W-9 letter delivery process using Agile principles, ensuring compliance with IRS regulations by soliciting updated Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) from Retail and Private Banking customers
  • This initiative helped mitigate regulatory risks and kept HSBC in compliance with FATCA requirements
  • KEY ACHIEVEMENTS USING SAFE METHODOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
  • Agile-Driven Optimization for Compliance:
  • Implemented Agile project management to optimize the W-9 letter delivery process
  • Using sprint-based execution, we were able to ensure timely updates and alignment with evolving IRS regulations, leading to improved compliance and reduced risk
  • Automated and Updated Letter Templates:
  • Led the update and automation of W-9 letter templates, incorporating the latest IRS revisions and integrating QR codes for customers to schedule phone appointments
  • This streamlined communication process made it easier for customers to provide accurate information, reducing errors in tax reporting
  • Efficient Processing and Distribution:
  • Successfully processed and distributed W-9 letters to 546 customers (514 Retail and 32 Private Bank clients) using OnDemand archival and Output Services Group (OSG) print/email distribution
  • This efficient system minimized manual intervention, aligning with SAFe’s principles of automation and Lean-Agile thinking
  • Enhanced Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Fostered collaboration across Compliance, Tax, and IT teams using Agile ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives)
  • This cross-team collaboration ensured smooth execution of the process and quick adaptations to evolving needs, embodying SAFe’s emphasis on collaboration and transparency
  • Mitigated Regulatory Risk and Enhanced Data Accuracy:
  • Minimized regulatory risk by ensuring accurate TIN data was collected, reducing the likelihood of IRS penalties, backup withholding, and the need for compliance audits
  • This proactive approach to managing tax data aligns with SAFe’s focus on risk management and delivering value while mitigating waste
  • Optimized Customer Experience:
  • Enhanced customer experience by providing an automated, easy-to-use process for customers to update their TIN
  • This not only helped reduce errors but also improved customer satisfaction by reducing friction in the tax reporting process
  • This reflects SAFe’s emphasis on delivering customer-centric value through continuous improvements
  • Audit Readiness and Transparency:
  • Established a secure audit trail, improving transparency, document security, and regulatory readiness for both internal reviews and external audits
  • This approach aligns with SAFe’s Lean-Agile principles by promoting transparency and ensuring accountability in all regulatory processes
  • ANNUAL PRIVACY NOTICE DIRECT MAIL PROCESS
  • OBJECTIVE:
  • Led the Agile-driven enhancement of the Annual Privacy Notice process to ensure compliance with California and Nevada state privacy laws, which have stricter regulations than federal requirements
  • This initiative ensured transparency in customer data management by delivering privacy notices to clients who had not been notified via email or statement messages, reducing the risk of non-compliance with state-specific privacy laws
  • KEY ACHIEVEMENTS USING SAFE METHODOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
  • Agile Process Optimization for Compliance:
  • Implemented Agile project management to streamline the Annual Privacy Notice delivery, ensuring compliance with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) policies and the California Financial Privacy Act
  • Through iterative sprints, the process was continuously refined to maintain regulatory alignment, reflecting SAFe’s emphasis on incremental delivery and continuous improvement
  • Automated Privacy Notice Template Updates:
  • Led sprint-based iterations to update and automate privacy notice templates for California and Nevada customers, ensuring alignment with evolving state regulations
  • This approach adhered to Agile principles of responding to change and enabled HSBC to keep pace with regulatory requirements in a dynamic environment
  • Automation for Efficiency and Compliance:
  • Automated the letter generation process through OpenText, reducing manual intervention and ensuring compliance tracking
  • This reduced operational overhead and aligned with SAFe’s Lean principles, focusing on eliminating waste and increasing efficiency
  • Secure Archival for Audit Readiness:
  • Ensured secure archival of privacy notices in the OnDemand repository, enhancing audit readiness and regulatory transparency
  • This practice ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, aligning with SAFe’s focus on delivering quality systems that support continuous improvement
  • Multi-Channel Distribution for Timely Communication:
  • Integrated multi-channel distribution via Output Services Group (OSG) for seamless print and mail delivery
  • This ensured timely communication with customers, enhancing their experience and meeting regulatory deadlines
  • This reflects SAFe’s focus on delivering value to the customer through efficient processes
  • Mitigated Regulatory Risk:
  • Proactively met state-specific privacy requirements, mitigating the risk of penalties, fines, or legal challenges
  • This proactive approach supports SAFe’s goal of delivering high-value outcomes while managing and mitigating regulatory risk
  • Enhanced Governance and Compliance:
  • Strengthened HSBC’s commitment to data privacy and consumer protection through automated, traceable, and secure processes
  • By ensuring transparency and accountability, this initiative reinforced HSBC’s compliance governance, which is a core SAFe principle of ensuring alignment with business objectives
  • Optimized Customer Experience:
  • Enhanced the customer experience by enabling clients to opt in or opt out of sharing their personal information within HSBC and with HSBC affiliates, fostering transparency and trust
  • This approach exemplifies SAFe’s customer-centric focus on creating value and improving customer relationships
  • Effective Delivery of Privacy Notices:
  • Successfully delivered approximately 81,600 statements for the Annual Privacy Notice, demonstrating the scalability and efficiency of the Agile process in handling large volumes of regulatory communications while ensuring compliance and customer satisfaction.

AGILE

LEAD, HSBC
01.1998 - Current
  • Lead cross-functional programs and portfolio teams (ART), focusing on complex technology aspects to build business values and deliver efficiencies through agile system design, development, and delivery methodologies
  • Coach team members on Agile mindsets, processes, and frameworks, resulting in a 40% improvement in Agile/Scrum practices and values
  • Lead Agile/SAFe methodology transition, ensuring a smooth and efficient transformation
  • Improve flow within iterations, resolve conflicts, and remove impediments, enhancing overall team productivity
  • Collaborate with product owners to maintain a high-quality backlog, meeting the criteria for "ready" and ready-to-estimate user stories
  • Facilitate effective communication and information exchange between management and external groups, increasing visibility into the teams' performance and progress
  • Skillfully facilitate all Scrum events and ceremonies, ensuring a streamlined Agile process
  • Create a safe and productive environment for the teams, fostering productive discussions, conflict resolution, decision-making, and problem-solving.

COMPLIANCE & REGULATORY PROGRAM

US WEALTH PERSONAL BANKING, FATCA
12.2020 - 11.2025
  • (FOREIGN ACCOUNT TAX COMPLIANCE ACT) W-8BEN FOR INDIVIDUALS
  • OBJECTIVE:
  • The FATCA W-8BEN form is used by non-U.S
  • Individuals to certify their foreign status and claim benefits under applicable income tax treaties
  • To maintain compliance with IRS regulations, annual notification letters are sent to individuals whose W-8BEN forms are nearing expiration or have already expired without a valid replacement
  • KEY ACHIEVEMENTS USING SAFE METHODOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
  • Program-Level Leadership and PI Execution:
  • As the Program Manager, led the execution of the FATCA W-8BEN compliance initiative through SAFe’s Program Increment (PI) planning
  • Collaborated with Product Owners, Business Stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to define clear PI objectives, ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory compliance
  • Applied strategic leadership to guide teams toward achieving program milestones and meeting critical deadlines
  • Driving Continuous Delivery and Iterative Improvement:
  • Leveraged the SAFe principle of continuous delivery by driving the implementation of an EGC-triggered process for FATCA W-8BEN workflows
  • Ensured an iterative, improvement-driven approach by integrating form processing into the monthly letter cycle
  • This supported ongoing compliance efforts and aligned with SAFe’s emphasis on incremental value delivery
  • Leadership in Cross-Functional Collaboration (ARTs):
  • Led Agile Release Trains (ARTs) in delivering FATCA W-8BEN compliance initiatives
  • Fostered collaboration across development teams, business units, and operations to align on shared goals and deliverables
  • Actively facilitated Agile ceremonies (daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives), guiding teams to identify improvements, resolve blockers, and enhance overall productivity
  • Scaling Operational Efficiency and Lean-Agile Practices:
  • Directed efforts to scale the FATCA W-8BEN form processing, achieving an average of 24,462 forms processed per cycle
  • Applied Lean-Agile practices to eliminate waste, reduce manual intervention, and enhance flow
  • Focused on maintaining high-quality standards while maximizing throughput in alignment with SAFe’s focus on optimizing value streams
  • Leading Risk Management and Compliance with SAFe’s Lean-Agile Principles:
  • Championed the secure archiving of FATCA data using the OnDemand repository, ensuring that regulatory compliance and audit readiness were maintained
  • Took ownership of risk management by applying SAFe’s Lean-Agile principles to ensure that all processes were streamlined and compliant with IRS and FATCA requirements
  • Optimizing Customer Communication Channels (DevOps and Automation):
  • Demonstrated leadership in optimizing customer communication through automated, multi-channel distribution (print and email) via Output Service Group (OSG)
  • This initiative aligned with SAFe’s DevOps practices, driving automation and integration to deliver value to customers with speed and accuracy
  • Result:
  • Delivered approximately 60,000 FATCA W-8BEN individual letters annually, ensuring compliance, operational efficiency, and a positive customer experience
  • These results reflect the successful application of SAFe methodologies to streamline processes, deliver high-quality results, and maintain regulatory integrity.

Education

Master of Science - Management Information Systems

University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ
01-2010

Skills

  • Agile development expertise
  • Agile frameworks
  • Agile methodologies understanding
  • Agile software development

Certification

u PMI Certified Project Management Institute (PMP)

u PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

u Scaled Agile Framework SAFe 6.0 Certified | Scaled Agile Scrum Master SAFe 6.0 Certified

u Google Foundations of Project Management

u Certified Scrum Master CSM | Certified ITIL® Foundation

u Certified DevOps Practitioner | Amazon Web Services Practitioner Certified

Languages

English
Full Professional

Timeline

COMPLIANCE & REGULATORY PROGRAM

US WEALTH PERSONAL BANKING, FATCA
12.2020 - 11.2025

AGILE

LEAD, HSBC
01.1998 - Current

u PMI Certified Project Management Institute (PMP)

u PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

u Scaled Agile Framework SAFe 6.0 Certified | Scaled Agile Scrum Master SAFe 6.0 Certified

u Google Foundations of Project Management

u Certified Scrum Master CSM | Certified ITIL® Foundation

u Certified DevOps Practitioner | Amazon Web Services Practitioner Certified

FATCA

FATCA B

Master of Science - Management Information Systems

University of Phoenix

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