Pathward Introduces Evolved Operating Model, Next Step in Sponsor Banking

Key Terms

merchant acquiring financial

Merchant acquiring is the process by which businesses accept electronic payments from customers, typically through credit or debit cards. It involves a partnership with a financial service provider that handles the technology and security needed to process these transactions. For investors, merchant acquiring is important because it generates steady revenue streams for financial companies and indicates the health of consumer spending activity.

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Digital payments sponsorship occurs when a company or organization provides financial support or resources to promote digital payment services, often in exchange for branding or visibility opportunities. This partnership helps expand the use of electronic transactions, making payments faster and more convenient for consumers. For investors, it signals efforts to grow digital payment adoption, which can boost the company's revenue and market presence in the evolving financial landscape.

With customer centricity at its core, the national bank is aligning its operating model with partner and customer needs and outcomes.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pathward Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASH), through its subsidiary Pathward^®, N.A. (“Pathward” or “company” or “bank”), a national bank focused on financial access, today announced a rollout of an evolved operating model that positions the company for increased innovation and growth, and clients for greater success and revenue enablement.

“We are starting a new chapter that aligns with our fintech partners and best positions us for sustained success,” said Pathward President Anthony Sharett. “Keeping our business partners top of mind, we believe that evolving how we work with them will create a more seamless experience. This evolution also puts Pathward in a better position to support our partners’ goals and our efforts to grow and scale to serve more consumers and small and mid-sized businesses.”

Under the new model, Christopher Soupal will be Pathward’s Chief Growth Officer and lead new Business Development and new Revenue for Commercial Finance, Credit Solutions and Partner Solutions. This horizontal revenue capability will better position us to enable multi-threaded solutions that our partners seek from Pathward.

Will Sowell will be Pathward’s Chief Customer Officer and lead Customer Success for Commercial Finance, Credit Solutions, and Partner Solutions to help facilitate our partners and customers’ achievement of their desired outcomes, gaining maximum value from Pathward's trusted platform through the partner lifecycle.

Greg Cooper will be Pathward’s Business Risk Group Leader and will lead the Business Risk Group, which is focused on providing tailored risk and compliance expertise to support partners.

Soupal, Sowell and Cooper all report to Sharett. These changes are a continuation of the bank’s focus on horizontal integration and will further streamline the way it helps its partners and customers thrive while increasing financial inclusion and access.

As a bank with many solutions and scalable infrastructure, Pathward offers decades of experience and deep expertise across a range of solutions, including issuing, merchant acquiring and digital payments sponsorship, as well as financial institution, credit and professional tax solutions. The bank also offers flexible working capital, equipment and structured finance solutions to businesses.

About Pathward Financial, Inc.

Pathward Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASH) is a U.S.-based financial holding company driven by its purpose to power financial inclusion. Through our subsidiary, Pathward^®, N.A., we strive to increase financial availability, choice and opportunity across our Partner Solutions and Commercial Finance business lines. These strategic business lines provide support to individuals and businesses. Learn more at PathwardFinancial.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251204202266/en/

Media contact:

Courtney Heidelberg

605.291.7044

mediarelations@pathward.com

Investor Relations contact:

Darby Schoenfeld, CPA

SVP, Chief of Staff & Investor Relations

877.497.7497

investorrelations@pathward.com

Source: Pathward Financial, Inc.