James Russell, CPA

Chief Compliance Officer

Professional Overview
James Russell is an accomplished financial services compliance and risk management professional with over 35 years of industry experience. As the Chief Compliance Officer at BankCard Services, he is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the organization's comprehensive compliance program to ensure adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In his current role as Chief Compliance Officer at BankCard Services, James is responsible for managing the company's regulatory compliance, including CFPB, FDIC, OFAC, and AML/BSA requirements. He has implemented streamlined processes and enhanced reporting to strengthen the organization's compliance posture, resulting in zero regulatory findings over the past two years.

Career Progression
Prior to joining BankCard Services, James served as the SVP and Chief Compliance Officer at Bank of George, where he was instrumental in establishing the FinTech division's compliance function and oversaw the successful integration of the bank's prepaid debit card program. Earlier in his career, he held compliance leadership roles at AchieveCard Prepaid Debit Card, Texas Savings Bank, and Franklin Bank, SSB. James began his professional journey as a Bank Examiner at the FDIC, where he gained invaluable experience in regulatory oversight and financial institution operations.

Academic Background
James holds a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from The University of Texas-Pan American. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and maintains a strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting principles, and regulatory frameworks.

Areas of Expertise

• Compliance program development and management

• Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance

• Regulatory examinations and audit management

• FinTech and prepaid debit card program compliance

• Financial reporting and accounting

• Risk assessment and control implementation

Professional Impact
Throughout his career, James has demonstrated a track record of successfully guiding financial institutions through complex regulatory environments. At AchieveCard Prepaid Debit Card, he led the implementation of a comprehensive compliance program that enabled the company to achieve a 30% increase in customer enrollment and a 20% reduction in compliance-related costs. As the Chief Compliance Officer at Bank of George, he played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the FinTech division's compliance function, contributing to the division's growth of 25% in its first year of operation.

Conclusion
With his extensive experience, deep industry knowledge, and proven leadership in compliance and risk management, James Russell is a valuable asset to BankCard Services. He is committed to driving the organization's compliance excellence and contributing to its long-term success in the financial services industry.