James Chi, PMP
Banking Partnerships and Operations
Block, Inc.
Biography
James Chi brings extensive experience in financial services and across payments, with expertise spanning networks, banks, fintechs, and the broader ecosystem. At Block (including Square, Cash App, and Afterpay), he leads Banking Partnerships and Operations for non-card money movement, including ACH, RTP, FedNow, wires, checks, cash, and open banking. He manages key strategic banking and payments relationships, enables new products and services, strengthens payment infrastructure, and advances regulatory rigor, risk management, and operational resilience. Previously, James was a Director at KPMG, where he led large-scale transformation programs for Fortune 500 institutions across payments strategy, product development, system implementation, post-merger integration, and enterprise transformation. He is an active industry voice in payments, serving as a conference speaker, participating in an industry advisory group, and contributing to podcasts and thought leadership.
How is the nominee propelling the industry forward?
James is reshaping how fintechs and traditional banks collaborate on payments innovation. He has built partnership models with major financial institutions that balance strategic collaboration with regulatory rigor, defined by transparency, structured reviews, and joint problem-solving. Through The Clearing House's Corporate Advisory Group, he contributes to shaping RTP network strategy, adoption, and best practices for real-time and emerging payment systems. As a regular speaker at Smarter Faster Payments and other forums, he advances industry adoption of instant payments and other evolving rails while positioning Block as a leader in compliance and innovation. James has also navigated complex regulatory and network requirements to unlock new capabilities across payment systems, while strengthening compliance and risk management standards. In addition, he mentors emerging talent, helping develop the next generation of payments leaders committed to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Where do you see the nominee succeeding in the future?
James is poised to become a defining voice in the future of payments. His ability to balance regulatory insight with business innovation positions him to guide the industry through the next wave of payments evolution. Through his work with TCH, the Federal Reserve, Nacha, financial institutions, and others in the payments space, he is likely to take on increasingly influential roles shaping adoption of emerging technologies and standards. His experience managing complex partnerships, cross-functional coordination, and regulatory requirements equips him to lead large-scale transformation efforts, whether advancing real-time payments, implementing new systems, or strengthening resilient infrastructure. With a background in enterprise transformation and multi-year program management, he is well prepared to drive initiatives that reshape payments at scale. James is also positioned to grow as a mentor and advocate for emerging talent. His collaborative leadership style and ability to make complex concepts accessible set a model for industry progress built on partnership, innovation, and operational excellence.