Lead Specialist: Digital and Innovation

Absa Personal and Private Banking

Mahalingam Subramanian (Maha) is a seasoned digital banking leader with over 18 years of experience driving large-scale digital transformation across the banking industry. With a background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a postgraduate qualification in Business Administration with a specialisation in Marketing, Maha began his career in sales before moving into management consulting. Over 11 years, he has led complex consulting engagements for leading organisations across South Africa and India, including MTN, Absa, and Standard Bank, developing expertise in digital banking, product strategy, agile delivery, and full-stack mobile and digital platform development.

Currently, Maha heads up Digital Channels, overseeing mobile banking, online banking, cellphone banking, digital sales platforms, and web channels. His responsibilities span the full product lifecycle, from strategy development and market adoption to solution delivery, quality assurance, performance management, and fraud prevention. Passionate about innovation and customer-centric digital experiences, Maha continues to shape the future of digital banking by delivering secure, accessible, and high-performing digital channels at scale.

Fireside chat

How Can Fraud Prevention and Great Experiences Coexist?

In a world where digital fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, organisations face a constant balancing act between protecting customers and delivering seamless experiences. This conversation will explore how businesses can design security measures that not only safeguard users but also strengthen confidence and trust.

Panellists will discuss the concept of "good friction", the role of customer education, and how thoughtful approaches to authentication, verification, and risk management can support rather than hinder customer experiences. Through practical insights and debate, the session will challenge the notion that security and usability are competing priorities, exploring how organisations can use both to build stronger, more trusted relationships with their customers.

Talk topic

Talk topic