The Financial Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Digital Banking Executives of 2025. As digital banking moves from the periphery to the core of global finance, it’s the leaders behind these platforms who are steering that transition to reimagine not only how banking products are delivered, but also what financial institutions should be built to do.
The leaders on this year’s list represent a wide spectrum of digital banking models. At institutions like DBS and Starling Bank, Tan Su Shan and Raman Bhatia are modernizing complex, regulated banks into tech-driven enterprises that still operate at a national scale. At the other end of the spectrum, figures like Ali Niknam of Bunq and Nathaniel Clarke of GoTyme are designing mobile-first banks that prioritize accessibility, speed, and usability, often in markets where traditional banking infrastructure is limited or inaccessible.
Across models and markets, their work reflects a shift in focus from building consumer-facing features to designing banks that can operate sustainably at scale. That includes developing systems resilient enough to meet regulatory demands, flexible enough to support evolving product sets, and efficient enough to deliver real-time functionality across savings, credit, and payments.
Awardees were selected based on their strategic impact, leadership track record, product and market contributions, and ability to influence the broader digital direction of the financial services industry. Please join us in recognizing The Top 25 Digital Banking Executives of 2025.

Company: Axos
Title: President and CEO
Greg Garrabrants is the President and CEO of Axos Bank, a nationwide bank that provides consumer and business banking products through its low-cost distribution channels and affinity partners. In 2000, the bank opened its doors as a digital bank under the name Bank of Internet USA and has remained committed to its digital-first approach, launching its Universal Digital Bank consumer platform in 2018, shortly before rebranding as Axos.
Garrabrants has been President and CEO of Axos Bank since 2007, leading it to consistently strong national rankings as one of the highest performing banking institutions in the country and approximately $20.3 billion in assets. Previously, Garrabrants served as senior vice president and head of corporate business development at a major U.S. thrift, overseeing new business entry, M&A, and strategic partnerships. Earlier, he was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, a consultant at McKinsey & Company, and a summer associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Munger, Tolles & Olson, and Morrison & Foerster, focusing on corporate and securities law. He began his career at Deloitte Consulting in financial advisory and litigation support.
Garrabrants earned a JD from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a member of the California Bar.

Company: Starling Bank
Title: CEO
Raman Bhatia is the CEO of Starling Bank, a fully licensed and regulated digital UK bank offering personal, business, joint, and children’s accounts. Headquartered in London, Starling operates entirely through digital channels, aiming to make money management more accessible and transparent for its customers. The bank also provides a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering through its subsidiary, Engine, built on the proprietary technology platform that powers Starling’s own operations. As Group CEO, Bhatia is responsible for leading the business and setting Starling’s strategy with the board.
Before joining Starling Bank, he was the CEO of OVO, one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers. Prior to OVO, Bhatia was the head of digital banking for HSBC Retail Banking and Wealth Management in the UK and Europe, where he led innovation, new digital ways of working, risk management, and the design, development, deployment, and commercialization of digital platforms, products, and channels. Before HSBC, Bhatia worked in consumer tech as VP at HouseTrip and director of strategy at Expedia for EMEA. Earlier in his career, Bhatia worked as a management consultant at Bain as well as an advisor to governments and international development agencies on urban governance and planning. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Company: Toss Bank
Title: CEO
Rhee Eun-mi is the CEO of Toss Bank. Toss Bank is a pioneering internet bank in South Korea, established with the mission of driving financial innovation and inclusion. As a challenger bank, Toss Bank is committed to shifting the traditional, provider-centric financial landscape to one that is truly customer-centered. With a strong focus on accessibility, the Toss Bank team strives to deliver essential financial services to underserved and financially marginalized populations. Through innovation, Toss Bank aims to build a more inclusive and equitable financial system for all.
Rhee brings to her role a global perspective and cross-border management skills, which she gained during her time as the CFO of HSBC in Hong Kong. In that role, she oversaw 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and she also worked as the deputy head at HSBC’s Seoul branch and as CFO at Deutsche Bank’s Seoul operation. She first got her start in 2002 as a finance and tax consultant at PwC. Most recently, she was the CFO at DGB Bank. Rhee graduated from Ewha Womans University with a master’s degree in interpretation/translation, earned MBA degrees from Columbia Business School, London Business School, and the University of Hong Kong, and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from Sogang University.

Company: Atom Bank
Title: CEO
Mark Mullen is the CEO of Atom Bank, the UK’s first app-based bank. Headquartered in Durham, Atom offers digital-only mortgages, savings accounts, and secured business loans to individuals and small businesses, with support provided via phone, chat, and email. Since launching in 2016, the bank has focused on streamlining the borrowing and saving experience through technology, maintaining high customer satisfaction across app stores and review platforms.
Before co-founding Atom Bank in 2014, Mark Mullen held a series of leadership roles at HSBC and its subsidiaries over more than a decade. Most recently, he served as the chief executive of first direct and head of UK contact centers. Earlier, he was regional head of marketing for the Middle East and North Africa at HSBC Bank Middle East. Mullen also held roles in London with HSBC as head of marketing communications and as a project manager for internet banking. Mullen earned an MBA from Warwick Business School at the University of Warwick and a bachelor’s degree in modern history from Trinity College Dublin.

Company: OakNorth
Title: COO
Sharon Miles is the COO of OakNorth. OakNorth is the digital bank built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, offering tailored credit and banking solutions to businesses with £1 million to £100 million turnover across the UK and U.S. Specializing in funding from £1 million to tens of millions, OakNorth has lent billions to companies across a wide variety of sectors. To date, OakNorth’s financing has supported the creation of tens of thousands of new jobs and affordable homes, reflecting its commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through smart, flexible lending.
Miles brings nearly 30 years of experience to her current role, and has significant experience within financial and business services organizations leading transformational change and growth. Before joining OakNorth, she was COO at Chip and, before that, a director of innovation management at Deposit Solutions. Earlier in her career she worked with Arthur Andersen as an auditor in the commercial markets division. Miles graduated from Newcastle University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and financial analysis.
6. Marcelo Kalim
Company: C6 Bank
Title: CEO
Marcelo Kalim is the CEO of C6 Bank. C6 Bank is a Brazilian digital bank serving both individuals and businesses. Founded in 2018, C6 Bank delivers a wide range of financial products and services through a single mobile application. These offerings include a checking account, credit and debit cards, a global account for international transactions, a toll tag, accounts for minors, and a proprietary investment platform with access to assets in both Brazil and international markets. In June 2021, JP Morgan Chase acquired a 40% stake in C6 bank, which it later upped to 46% in 2023 after the bank’s client base grew from 8 million to 25 million. Today, the bank has over 30 million customers in over 190 countries, and has launched over 90 products and services since its inception.
Prior to co-founding C6, Kalim was a significant shareholder and longtime executive of Brazil's BTG Pactual, Latin America's largest investment bank. Kalim graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management with an MBA and from the University of Sao Paulo with a bachelor’s degree.
7. Ho-Young Yun
Company: KakaoBank
Title: CEO
Ho-Young Yun is the CEO of KakaoBank. KakaoBank is Korea’s first mobile-only bank, offering a seamless and user-friendly mobile banking experience. Launched in 2017, it attracted more than 300,000 subscribers in the first 24 hours, which grew to more than 2 million in the first two weeks. Known for its easy account creation and hassle-free money transfers, the bank has gained wide popularity in South Korea. KakaoBank also provides competitive deposit and savings products without requiring preferential conditions, making quality financial services more accessible to a broader audience.
Previously, Yun was a director at Daum Kakao and was a VP at Daum Communications. Before that, he was a team leader at ERGO Daum Direct General Insurance Co. Ltd. Earlier in his career, he worked with Daehan Insurance as an assistant manager. Yun earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hanyang University.

Company: DBS Group
Title: CEO
Tan Su Shan is the CEO and Director of DBS Group, a leading financial services group headquartered and listed in Singapore with operations across 19 markets. Positioned in key Asian growth regions—including Greater China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia—DBS offers a broad range of banking services and holds high credit ratings from S&P and Moody’s. The bank is recognized for its focus on innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainability across its retail, corporate, and institutional businesses.
Su Shan has over 35 years of experience in consumer banking, wealth management and institutional banking. She was previously the Deputy CEO and Group Head of Institutional Banking, and before that, Group Head of Consumer Banking and Wealth Management for close to a decade. She was also the President Commissioner for PT Bank DBS Indonesia from 2014 to 2024. Before joining DBS, she was head of private wealth management for Southeast Asia at Morgan Stanley, and held earlier roles at Citibank and ING Barings in London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.
Su Shan is also the founder and former president of the Financial Women’s Association in Singapore and is involved with several boards and advisory groups. She holds a master’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from the University of Oxford.

Company: Bunq
Title: Founder and CEO
Ali Niknam is the Founder and CEO of Bunq, a European neobank built to offer greater flexibility and control in personal finance. Founded in 2012 and launched publicly in 2015, Bunq was the first bank in over three decades to receive a European banking license. Headquartered in the Netherlands, it serves users across the European Economic Area with a mobile platform designed for people and businesses with international lifestyles. Bunq offers tools for spending, saving, budgeting, and investing, and was the first EU neobank to reach structural profitability. In 2025, the company announced plans to expand into the U.S. by pursuing a broker-dealer license and reapplying for a full banking license.
Prior to founding Bunq, Niknam founded TransIP. He also co-founded the People for the People Foundation. Niknam graduated from the Delft University of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Company: Zopa Bank
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Kate Erb is the Chief Operating Officer of Zopa Bank, a UK-based digital bank offering savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards, car finance, and current accounts. Originally founded in 2005 as the world’s first peer-to-peer lending platform, Zopa launched its banking operations in 2020. The bank now serves over half a million people across the UK and has lent out over £6 billion. Headquartered in London, Zopa combines app-based convenience with financial products designed to offer transparency, speed, and value.
As COO, Erb leads Zopa’s operations, customer service, collections, and recoveries functions. She brings over two decades of experience to her role and was previously the director of operations and infrastructure at Leeds Building Society and, before that, COO at Aspinall Financial Services Ltd. Earlier in her career, she worked with KPMG UK as an auditor. Erb earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nottingham.

Company: Mox Bank
Title: CEO
Barbaros Uygun is the CEO of Mox Bank, a digital bank launched in Hong Kong in 2020. Backed by Standard Chartered in partnership with HKT, PCCW, and Trip.com, Mox is one of the first banks to receive a digital banking license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Built from the ground up, the bank offers a fully digital and personalized platform through its mobile app, “Mox Bank by Standard Chartered,” delivering a suite of retail banking services and lifestyle benefits designed for mobile-first users.
Uygun is a proven leader with a wealth of experience in digital banking and transformation, bringing over 24 years of banking experience spanning business management and strategy, marketing, product development, and digital transformation. He was previously the CEO of ING Bank Austria, where he transformed the bank from one that was predominantly focused on savings into a full-service digital bank. He also successfully transformed and digitalized the retail business of ING Bank in Turkey and led the establishment of a full-service digital bank within Garanti Bank BBVA, which resulted in an exponential growth in its customer base. Uygun graduated from Boğaziçi University with an MBA and from Marmara University with a master’s degree in industrial engineering.

Company: Boost Digital Bank
Title: CEO
Fozia Amanulla is the CEO of Boost DigiBank, Malaysia’s first homegrown digital bank. Officially launched in 2024, Boost Bank Berhad (formerly Boost Berhad) received its license from Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Finance as part of the country’s digital banking framework. The bank aims to expand access to financial services through a fully digital platform, focusing on inclusion, everyday utility, and customer-centric design.
Amanulla brings over 25 years of experience across all aspects of banking, from investment banking and corporate banking to SME and consumer banking, to her current role. Her focus is on initiating and executing transformational changes, forming strategic partnerships, and establishing the digital platform ecosystem for the bank, and she is passionate about serving underserved segments and creating customer-centric solutions for financial inclusion. Before joining Boost Digital Bank, Amanulla was deputy CEO at Boost Credit and, before that, chief business development officer and director in corporate and investment banking at Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad. Earlier in her career, she worked with Ernest & Young as an executive. Amanulla graduated from the University of Humberside with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance.

Company: Judo Bank
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Rosanna Fornarino is the Chief Operating Officer of Judo Bank. Judo Bank is Australia’s only challenger bank purpose-built to serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With a bold commitment to backing business, Judo Bank's core mission is to become the most trusted SME business bank in the country. Judo Bank exists to empower Australian businesses by providing the lending they need and the personalized service they deserve to support their growth and success.
Fornarino brings over three decades of operational leadership across banking and financial services, and has worked across operations, retail banking, wholesale banking, human resources, risk, and project management. She was previously the Chief Operations Officer at ME Bank, where she was responsible for all operational activity across the organization, including contact centers, lending origination and fulfilment, customer on-boarding, servicing and retention, financial crime operations, payment operations, collections and hardship, customer complaints, and resolution. At NAB, she was the Executive General Manager for Fulfilment, where she managed all lending operations activities for NAB’s Business and Consumer customers, leading a team of over 4,000 people across Australia and India. Fornarino holds an MBA from Deakin University and has previously served on the boards of the Australian Payments Network and Cash Services Australia.

Company: Illimity Bank
Title: Founder and CEO
Corrado Passera is the Founder and CEO of Illimity Bank, a banking group focused on providing credit to small and medium-sized enterprises across performing, restructuring, and relaunching areas, as well as investment banking services. Through its subsidiary ARECneprix, the group manages the full credit value chain from financing to asset management and structuring. Illimity also operates through Illimity SGR to establish and manage Alternative Investment Funds, supporting institutions and companies in both the UTP and private capital sectors.
Passera brings 45 years of experience in innovation within financial services to his current role. Before joining Illimity Bank, he was a promoter and executive chairman at Spaxs S.p.A. and, before that, minister of economic development, infrastructures, and transportation at the Ministry of Economic Development, where he introduced start-up-friendly legislation, revolutionizing the incentive to innovate. Earlier in his career, he worked with McKinsey & Company as a manager. Passera graduated from The Wharton School with an MBA and from Università Bocconi with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Company: Qonto
Title: Co-Founder & CEO
Alexandre Prot is the CEO and Co-Founder of Qonto. Qonto is a modern finance solution designed to empower SMEs and freelancers, giving them the freedom and tools to succeed in business and beyond. Prot and Co-Founder Steve Anavi founded Qonto in July 2017 to offer a streamlined, intuitive platform that energizes small and medium-sized enterprises by simplifying financial management and enabling smarter decision-making. The company now serves over 600,000 businesses in 8 markets and has recently applied for its banking license.
Prot first got his start in 2006 as an associate at McKinsey & Company. From there, he went on to Groupon, before eventually rising to co-founder at Smartven, his most recent position prior to founding Qonto. He also co-founded Smok.io, where he experienced the difficulties with business banking that led him to found Qonto. Prot graduated from INSEAD with an MBA, from HEC Paris with a master’s degree in finance, and from Lycee Henri IV with a bachelor’s degree.

Company: The Change Company
Title: Chief Information Officer
Janet Hargreaves is the Chief Information Officer of The Change Company, a digital-first banking and financial services platform committed to equity and inclusion. Unlike traditional banks that reserve their best technology and programs for elite clients, Change delivers top-tier banking, lending, and financial services to Black, Latino, and underbanked communities. By challenging the status quo, Change is on a mission to make financial services accessible to all Americans, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to build wealth and financial stability.
In her current role, Hargreaves is responsible for all systems and technology, process automation, data management, information security, technology governance, enterprise data warehouse development, and operational analytics. Previously, she was an IT consultant at The Capital Corps and, before that, a VP of business intelligence at Banc of California. Earlier in her career, she worked with AHMSI as a senior manager of business intelligence. Hargreaves earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the California State University Fullerton College of Business and Economics.

Company: TAB Bank
Title: Chief Information Officer
Tami Fisher is the Chief Information Officer of TAB Bank. TAB Bank provides customized financial solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of small- and medium-sized commercial businesses across the United States. With a long-term commitment to its clients, the bank offers a range of services, including working capital solutions, equipment financing, and deposit products, supporting businesses through every stage of their life cycle, regardless of economic conditions.
As CIO, Fisher provides executive leadership and strategic direction for TAB’s Technology organization. Her responsibilities include overseeing the successful delivery of technology initiatives, building innovation platforms, managing enterprise architecture, application development and integration, data services, the program management office, and IT operations.
Fisher began her career in retail banking, working in branch roles at First Security Bank and Washington Mutual Bank. She joined Zions Bancorporation in 2006, where she took on roles in payment processing and back-office operations supporting both bank and treasury functions. Most recently, she served as director of technology strategy and governance. Fisher sits on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter and mentors women in the Utah tech community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Westminster University.

Company: Chetwood Bank
Title: COO & CIO
Julian Hynd is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer of Chetwood Bank. Chetwood Bank is a UK-based digital bank focused on providing simple, transparent financial products. The bank offers savings and mortgage solutions—particularly in the buy-to-let market—with the goal of making banking more straightforward and accessible for consumers. By concentrating on core services, Chetwood aims to remove complexity from financial decision-making.
Hynd brings to his role more than 30 years of experience in financial services and a strong record of building, growing, and transforming businesses. He first got his start in 1988 as an airman in the South African Air Force. He later served as chief operating officer of Shawbrook Bank, before eventually rising to chief commercial officer at Redwood Bank, his most recent position prior to joining Chetwood Bank. Hynd graduated from De Montfort University with an MBA in finance and marketing and from Newport University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Company: GoTyme Bank
Title: CEO
Nathaniel Clarke is the CEO of GoTyme Bank. GoTyme Bank is a digital bank in the Philippines established through a joint venture between the Gokongwei Group—via Robinsons Bank, Robinsons Land Corporation, and Robinsons Retail Holdings—and Tyme, a multi-country digital banking group. Regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, GoTyme combines digital convenience with physical accessibility, allowing customers to open accounts and receive personalized debit cards at self-service kiosks in shopping malls nationwide. These kiosks are integrated with a mobile banking app that supports everyday financial activities, including saving, spending, and investing.
Previously, Clarke was chief product and strategy officer at TymeGlobal and, before that, a senior consultant at Deloitte. Earlier in his career, he worked with Essex Building Company as a supervisor. Clarke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University.

Company: Kroo Bank
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Moyra O'Doherty is the Chief Operating Officer of Kroo Bank, a UK-based digital bank focused on combining modern financial tools with a values-driven approach. Designed to meet the needs of socially and environmentally conscious consumers, Kroo offers a mobile current account with features such as instant notifications, budgeting tools, and bill splitting. The bank operates with a stated commitment to ethical practices and sustainability, aiming to create long-term impact while providing accessible, user-friendly banking services.
O'Doherty brings over 20 years of experience across sales, marketing, operations, change, technology, finance, and management to her current role. Before joining Kroo Bank, O'Doherty was a consultant at Brown Shipley and, before that, a director of technology, infrastructure, and operations at Shawbrook Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with GE as a marketing manager. O'Doherty studied marketing communications at Dublin Business School.

Company: Bankaya
Title: Chief Technology Officer
Rogelio Monroy is the Chief Technology Officer of Bankaya. Bankaya is a fintech company dedicated to improving financial inclusion by offering digital financial services to underserved populations in Mexico and beyond. Bankaya operates as a financial technology company that leverages technological products, solutions, and platforms. These features help its customers, partners, and stakeholders gain financial and digital inclusion.
Monroy first got his start in 2004 as the director of CRM at SOA Professionals. From there, he went on to PÉEK-TECH, before eventually rising to CTO at kubo.financiero, his most recent position prior to joining Bankaya. Monroy holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México.

Company: Griffin
Title: CTO & Founder
Allen Rohner is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Griffin, a modern banking-as-a-service platform that enables technology-driven businesses to offer financial products through a fully regulated infrastructure. Its goal is to empower companies to embed banking into their products quickly and safely. With purpose-built APIs and an all-access developer sandbox, it helps customers build and launch payment platforms, financial wellness apps, client account products, business loans, and more.
Previously, Rohner was a self-employed consultant and, before that, a founding engineer at CircleCI. Earlier in his career, he worked with Crossroads Systems as a software engineer.
Rohner earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Southern Methodist University.

Company: Black Banx
Title: Group Chief Executive Officer
Michael Gastauer is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Black Banx. Black Banx is a leading global fintech, serving over 65 million customers across 180+ countries. With a workforce of 8,500+ employees, the company offers innovative digital banking solutions to individuals, institutions, and businesses worldwide. Black Banx is committed to financial inclusion, security, and seamless digital transactions.
Gastauer founded his first company by the age of 24, and in less than three years, the business acquired over $ 1 billion AUM and was sold for $16 million to a Swiss Investment firm. After selling his second business, he founded Gastauer Family Office (GFO), a single-family office with $11 billion in assets under management. The Gastauer Family Office also has a venture capital arm investing in FinTech companies. Gastauer is also the Founder and Chairman of Gastauer Foundation, a non-profit organization providing financial inclusion to reduce the problem of 2.2 billion people having no access to financial services.

Company: AMINA Bank
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Franz Bergmüller is the Chief Executive Officer of AMINA Bank (formerly SEBA Bank). Founded in April 2018 and headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, AMINA Bank is one of the world’s first crypto banks, providing a seamless, secure, and easy-to-use bridge between digital and traditional assets. The bank serves professional investors, companies, family offices, and institutions, and received a Swiss banking and securities dealer licence from FINMA in August 2019. It has since expanded internationally with offices in Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.
Bergmüller is a proven leader with deep experience in strategic business development and digital transformation in financial services. He first got his start in 1991 as a partner at Accenture. After working for many years as a strategy and IT consultant up to partner level and then for 15 years in senior management roles at two leading German insurance companies, he held the position of Chief Commercial Officer, as well as a seat on the Executive Board at Adcubum, a leading software manufacturer for the international insurance industry. Bergmüller studied at the University of Augsburg.

Company: MariBank
Title: CEO
Natalia Goh is the CEO of MariBank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sea Limited and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. MariBank focuses on serving digital natives and small businesses in Singapore through simple, purpose-built financial products. The bank launched with a flagship savings account and has since expanded its offerings to include Mari Invest, an investment platform that allows for instant cash withdrawals through SavePlus.
Previously, Goh was COO at Trust Bank and, before that, a managing director and head of credit cards and unsecured lending at Standard Chartered Bank. Earlier in her career, she worked with Marakon Associates as a consultant. Goh earned an MBA in general management and corporate strategy from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree in economics and international studies from Northwestern University.




















