Blue Ridge Bank Names Fintech Veteran Kirsten Muetzel as Division President
Blue Ridge Bank has appointed Kirsten Muetzel as the president of its fintech division. Muetzel brings a decade of experience from the Federal Reserve, including roles in banking supervision and the fintech industry.
Muetzel's appointment follows an Order from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in April. The OCC required Blue Ridge to enhance oversight of its third-party fintech partnerships and submit an action plan to better monitor suspicious activity.
Muetzel will manage a portfolio of fintech partners, strengthen regulatory compliance, and advance Blue Ridge's banking-as-a-service strategy. She will also ensure the bank obtains non-objection from the OCC before entering new fintech partnerships or adding new products with existing partners.
Earlier this year, Blue Ridge terminated a planned merger with FVCB in January 2023. The merger was delayed due to regulatory concerns found by the OCC.
With Muetzel's appointment, Blue Ridge aims to bolster its fintech operations and meet the OCC's requirements. Her expertise in both banking supervision and the fintech industry is expected to strengthen the bank's position in the evolving financial landscape.
