Rich Wagner

Zempler Bank is a leading microbusiness-focused challenger bank with a track record of digital innovation, dedicated customer service and strong financial performance. The company was granted a UK bank licence in February 2021. Zempler offers simple, smart digital banking services for the entrepreneurs, independent businesses and hard-working consumers that power the UK economy yet are too often overlooked by high street banks. Zempler has opened more than 2.2m accounts to help customers to pay, bank and borrow through a user-friendly digital platform, delivered a string of fintech firsts, and built a resilient, growing business providing more than 350 jobs in the UK with locations in London and Liverpool. Our new company name, Zempler, reflects who we are today and our focus on serving UK microbusinesses. • Making money simpler • Simple digital banking product for microbusinesses • Simple products and exemplary service

Directed the successful integration of Providian's card portfolio into Barclaycard functional areas and entire business line helping realise nearly £9 million in cost synergies within the first year and identified nearly £50 million over the next 5 years. Successfully managed the preparation of the business case and approval through the Board of Directors of the decision to move to TSYS as the card processing system for the Providian portfolio. Key executive responsible for the delivery of the 650K-account conversion in 2003 to TSYS. Accountable for deployment of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and new account recruitment engines with overall budgetary responsibility of £20m Nominated and chaired the race task force, a committee improving equality and diversity in the workplace for 5,000 employees.

Selected as a key member of a start up team to launch new credit card operations in the United Kingdom. Within two years, this subsidiary had grown exponentially to 500,000 customers, representing growth rates in its last two years of operation of 800% and 200% respectively. Defined organisational structures and recruited over 600 employee positions. Managed, motivated and led a superior group of executives, managers and staff, with management approval rating of 83% and a turnover rate of less than 10% among professional staff. Management rating highest and turnover lowest among all global divisions within Providian.

Developed and managed business strategies and tactical programs to improve international payment networks for both point of sale and cash machines throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Created partnerships and managed relationships with 7 of the top 20 US credit card issuers. Championed development and delivery of one of the largest data warehouse environments which captured real time worldwide sales information on over 50 million payment/sales transactions per month. Established and managed global reporting requirements and distribution of data and MIS for corporate and regional use. Improved payment network performance 23% in one year, resulting in $550 million in incremental sales for bank members.