Throw a giant obstacle in Michael Tannenbaum’s way, and he will find a way to clear it. Tannenbaum likes to move quickly and scale things. He has shown a knack for doing that throughout his career, first with Brex, a financial services and technology company, and now with Figure, a startup that quickly became the number-one nonbank home equity line of credit lender in the U.S.
At Figure, Tannenbaum has been instrumental in building a marketplace of scaled technology solutions that replace old lending infrastructure and loan origination processes at every stage of the loan lifecycle. He is a strategist whose leadership style involves making sure that the big rocks—an old-school time management term for an entity’s most critical priorities—are tackled first. Tannenbaum understands that focusing on high-impact initiatives rather than getting lost in the small details is key to scaling a fintech company.
Before taking the helm at Figure, he played a pivotal role at Brex, where he helped transform the company from a three-person startup into a global fintech powerhouse with over 1,200 employees and a multi-billion-dollar valuation.
Tannenbaum credits his rise in business to his father’s influence. He learned early how to work hard and conquer major obstacles while watching his father, Steve Tannenbaum, who was a longtime CFO in the communications and pharmaceutical industries. Michael also credits his father with instilling a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of financial leadership from an early age. “I think a big part of my interest in my initial career path was watching my dad interact with his team,” Tannenbaum said.
Under his leadership, Figure has launched innovative products like the DART System, which streamlines lien filing and eNote registry services, and an AI-powered chatbot designed to enhance customer support efficiency. With a track record of driving fintech innovation, Tannenbaum is poised to redefine how financial services operate in the digital age.
In the fintech world, scaling big rocks isn’t just about managing tasks, it’s about reshaping industries. Tannenbaum’s ability to mold complex financial challenges into scalable solutions has positioned Figure as a leader in digital finance. By tackling bold, strategic moves first, he ensures that everyday distractions don’t weigh the company down.
