Ben Maxim joined MSU Federal Credit Union in 2007 and currently serves in a dual role as Chief Digital Strategy and Innovation Officer for MSUFCU and as Chief Technology Officer for MSUFCU’s wholly-owned CUSO Reseda Group. He is responsible for assessing emerging business trends and technologies, providing strategic direction for existing and future digital channels, and facilitating innovation throughout the Credit Union including leading their innovation center The Lab at MSUFCU. He is also responsible for the technology and product pillars of Reseda Group and its subsidiaries including Spave, Ever Green 3C, Foresight Group and M3 Group. Maxim began work initially as a Web Developer and in 2014, he became E-Commerce Manager before moving into roles including Assistant Vice President of Software Development. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a professional certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Stanford University. Maxim was honored as Finopotamus’s 2022 Tekkie Awards Technologist of the Year.

Christopher Hollins is the Head of Solution Sales and Delivery at SVB, a Division of First Citizens Bank, where he has been instrumental in transforming the platform’s Solution delivery model to ensure SVB’s Commercial Bank clients in the innovation economy have access to the best partners and Solutions to solve business challenges and optimize client's banking relationships along their journey.

Joining SVB in May 2021, Christopher brings over 20 years of global marketing, sales and strategy experience in financial services, mobile telecom, and technology. He has a record of innovation and leadership in iconic, brand led companies such as JPMC, American Express, and AT&T.

In addition to his many career accomplishments, Christopher is also an avid philanthropist who has championed multiple initiatives to improve and scale the financial success of entrepreneurs and small business owners. While at JPMC, Christopher was also the Business Banking executive sponsor of Chase’s Underserved Entrepreneurs project which helps to improve the ability of women and military vets to become financially successful business owners. He led the team to focus on ways to leverage broad data sources to improve their credit eligibility and business planning for better banking relationships with a goal of improving their meaningful access to credit.

Christopher sits on multiple boards including the Board of Directors for the Sickle Cell Disease Association and the Donald and Winfred Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership. Christopher is a graduate of Grinnell College and earned an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Christopher and his family reside in New Jersey.

Josh Williams is Head of Partnerships at CD Valet and Seattle Bank. In this role, he leads strategy across acquisition, implementation, enablement, and management of partner fintechs and financial institutions.

CD Valet is a new online marketplace connecting consumers to financial institutions to compare and open Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with the best rates and terms nationwide. Since CD Valet’s launch in 2022, Josh has led efforts to build strategic alliances and partnerships that extend CD Valet’s market presence and reach in the banking and credit union industries and the broader fintech ecosystem. He develops commercialization and revenue generation strategies through CD Valet’s lead generation, product analytics and digital account opening solutions to drive customer conversion and generate retail deposits.

CD Valet was developed by Seattle Bank, where Josh has held leadership positions since 2014. He directed the development of Seattle Bank’s private and commercial banking business lines designed for ultra-high-net-worth families and closely held businesses. He has over 20 years of experience serving as a resource to clients with complex banking needs, building and leading successful teams, and formulating and executing organizational strategy.

In early 2020, Seattle Bank became one of a small number of financial institutions nationwide to convert to an open-API, cloud-based tech platform. As a member of the leadership team, Josh helped lead the digital transformation in client experience before he started Partner Banking. As Head of Partnerships in this area, Josh develops embedded banking and banking-as-a-service solutions that enable fintechs and non-financial companies to offer flexible payment, credit and deposit services to their customers.

Prior to joining Seattle Bank, Josh held leadership positions at Wells Fargo, most recently as Senior Global Banking Consultant. Josh earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Macalester College and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

Yizhu Wang is a senior reporter at S&P Global Market Intelligence covering fintech companies and depository institutions. In fintech, she writes about digital payments, consumer banking and lending, with a focus on fintech/bank partnerships and related banking regulations. She also covers banks' adoption of technology such as digital banking, open banking, and real-time payments.