Deepak Bhatt: Shaping the Future of Paperless Mortgages

In a conversation with Corporate World, Deepak Bhatt, National Legal Head and Chief Compliance Officer at Easy Home Finance Limited, shares insights into his remarkable career and vision for future.

A distinguished leader and seasoned professional in the legal and compliance sector, Deepak Bhatt is the National Legal Head and Chief Compliance Officer at Easy Home Finance Limited, a cutting-edge fintech company that is revolutionising paperless mortgage solutions in India. With over two decades of experience in handling complex legal and compliance issues across multiple sectors, including finance and housing, his extensive expertise in state-specific revenue laws and regulatory frameworks, coupled with his passion for leveraging technology for greater transparency and customer satisfaction, has positioned him as a key player in shaping the future of legal strategies within the financial services industry.

In a conversation with Corporate World, Deepak shares insights into his remarkable career and vision for future.

Q. Can you walk us through your professional journey and share the milestones that have defined your career?

My professional journey began in 2002, after completing my Bachelor of Science and law degree from MS University of Baroda. I started my career as a Legal Officer at HDFC Limited, where I focused on legal recoveries, drafting agreements, and regulatory compliance. As I progressed, I became the Legal Head for Gujarat and later joined AU Housing Finance (now Awas) as the National Legal Head. There, I played a pivotal role in policy development overseeing lending and revenue laws, and was also part of the core team responsible for the transformation of AU Housing into Awas.

Later, I joined India Shelter Finance Corporation, where I expanded my role to manage both legal and business operations. In 2021, I joined Easy Home Finance Limited, a FinTech company offering paperless mortgages. Today, as the National Legal Head and Chief Compliance Officer, I lead our efforts in aligning our operations with legal frameworks, ensuring compliance with RBI regulations, and driving strategic growth.

Q. What are your primary responsibilities, and how do they align with your organisation’s overarching goals and strategy?

My primary responsibilities revolve around overseeing the company's legal policies and ensuring compliance with various regulations, particularly those of the RBI. I am responsible for managing legal operations related to mortgages, state-specific revenue laws, and ensuring our practices meet statutory requirements.

At Easy Home Finance, our overarching goal is to simplify the mortgage process for customers by offering a paperless, transparent, and efficient solution. My role is crucial in aligning the company's legal operations with this goal. I ensure that our legal strategies not only comply with all regulations but also support our mission to provide seamless services to our customers.

Q. What innovative strategies do you implement to train and empower your team for continued growth and success?

To empower my team, I focus on creating an environment where continuous learning and collaboration are at the forefront. I regularly encourage participation in legal workshops, seminars, and webinars to stay updated with industry changes and legal developments. Additionally, I foster open communication, where team members can bring forward innovative ideas for addressing challenges. I also encourage the use of technology, such as legal process automation tools and compliance tracking software, to streamline operations and improve efficiency. This approach not only enhances our team's skill set but also equips them to handle the evolving complexities of the legal landscape.

Q. Which leadership style do you rely on to inspire innovation and drive progress within your organisation?

I believe in a collaborative and inclusive leadership style. I encourage open dialogue and idea sharing, allowing team members to express their thoughts and insights. By fostering an environment where innovation is celebrated, I inspire my team to think creatively and contribute to the organisation’s progress.

I also lead by example—constantly learning, adapting, and embracing new technologies. This sets a tone for my team to follow, motivating them to explore innovative solutions and adapt quickly to changing regulatory environments.

Q. How has your experience influenced your approach to navigating legal challenges in your current role?

My experience has deeply shaped my approach to legal challenges, especially in dealing with state-specific revenue laws, which vary across India. Having worked in both regional and national roles, I’ve developed a thorough understanding of how to navigate the complexities of local legal frameworks.

In my current role, I focus on leveraging technology to streamline legal processes and ensure compliance with these varied regulations. My expertise allows me to quickly adapt to new challenges.

Q. What do you see as the most pressing ethical challenges facing businesses today, and how can robust compliance initiatives help address them?

One of the most pressing ethical challenges today is ensuring transparency in business practices, particularly around customer data and financial transactions. With increasing scrutiny from regulators and consumers, businesses need to be more proactive in adopting clear and transparent policies that protect customer interests.

Robust compliance initiatives can help address these challenges by establishing a framework that prioritizes ethics and accountability. This includes clear guidelines on data privacy, disclosures, and risk management, which ultimately builds trust with customers and strengthens the organization’s reputation.

Q. With the rapid pace of global regulatory changes, how do you foresee the industry evolving, and what strategies can organizations adopt to stay ahead?

The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, with regulators focusing more on consumer protection, data privacy, and sustainability. The growing trend of digital transformation in financial services will further increase regulatory scrutiny, especially around emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.

To stay ahead, organizations must adopt a proactive approach to compliance by investing in technology that enables real-time monitoring of regulatory changes. Building a culture of agility and continuous learning is also key. Companies should establish strong legal teams that are adept at anticipating regulatory shifts and quickly adjusting business strategies to ensure compliance while driving innovation.

Deepak Bhatt’s insights demonstrate how his extensive experience, coupled with a strong commitment to legal integrity and innovation, shapes his approach to leadership in the dynamic FinTech landscape. His leadership and strategic thinking continue to propel Easy Home Finance Limited towards greater success and impact in the Indian mortgage market.

Deepak Bhatt: Shaping the Future of Paperless Mortgages

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