Ryan James

Ryan James is the President and CEO of Surety Bank, a position he has held since July 2009.1 He is known for his innovative approach to banking, particularly in leveraging technology to enhance customer experience and serve diverse banking customers.14

James became CEO during a challenging economic period and has since led Surety Bank to significant success. Under his leadership, the bank has achieved a top 8 ranking among U.S. community banks in its asset class and the number one spot in Florida for ROAA and ROAE.2

Key aspects of Ryan James' career and expertise include:

1. Focus on underserved industries: He has directed Surety Bank to serve sectors such as money service businesses (MSBs), the cannabis industry, and the cryptocurrency industry.3

2. Leadership roles: James serves on the board of directors for the Florida Bankers Association and is a founding member of the Cryptocurrency Compliance Cooperative.13

3. Thought leadership: He hosts The Paper Podcast, where he discusses topics like the future of money, DeFi, FinTech, compliance, and fraud.3

4. Educational background: James holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance, General & Real Estate from Florida State University.1

5. Innovation in banking: He is known for finding creative solutions to provide better banking experiences, particularly through the use of technology.14

Ryan James is recognized as a luminary in the banking and fintech world, with a passion for using business strategies to build a better bank and serve a wide range of customers.24