Chris Is Ready for His Next Payments CTO Role
Introduction
Chris Is Ready for His Next Payments CTO Role
30-year banking leader modernizing real-time payments, scaling regulated fintech platforms.
About
I make regulated platforms faster, safer, and ready for real time.
I’ve spent my career in the moments that matter most, when a platform has to scale, stay resilient, and still earn regulator trust. I like messy, high-stakes systems because that’s where good engineering and good governance actually change outcomes for customers and teams.
I build platforms that can handle scrutiny and growth at the same time. That includes real-time payments enablement (RTP and FedNow), API-first integration patterns, and the operational controls needed for always-on processing.
I’ve also been the person called in when delivery needs to get steady fast. By tightening SDLC quality gates and execution discipline, I’ve driven ~40% fewer post-release defects while improving release velocity.
And I’m comfortable in complex partner ecosystems. I’ve helped remediate and scale technology functions supporting 500+ fintechs and millions of end customers, aligning vendors, governance, and reliability so the business can keep shipping with confidence.
- 40% fewer post-release defects
- 500+ fintech clients supported
- 24/7 always-on operations mindset
- 2 real-time rails delivered
If you know a leader hiring for payments modernization, regulated platform scaling, or a tech turnaround, I’d value a warm intro. If sharing this helps the right team find me, a LinkedIn repost is just as appreciated.
Target roles: CTO or CIO (modernization, resilience, delivery), Head of Payments Platform or Payments Technology, Operating Partner or Senior Advisor (fintech infrastructure)
Get in Touch
Hi, I'm Chris. I'm a senior financial services executive passionate about driving innovation in real-time payments and digital asset infrastructure. Would love to chat if you're working in fintech or payment processing.
W. Christopher Staab linkedin.com/in/wchristopherstaab
Chris Staab is a proven leader in transforming financial services through innovation in payments and digital assets, uniquely qualified to drive operational turnarounds and scale fintech solutions.
- Real-time payments expertise
- Digital asset innovation
- Operational turnaround specialist
- P&L management experience