Profile
Sam Vallandingham is a seasoned financial services executive with 30+ years in banking and payments. He specializes in compliance, risk management, systems development, and digital transformation, leading large-scale initiatives like back-office automation, core system conversions, and the implementation of cost accounting and mortgage systems. Sam is known for streamlining operations and driving efficiency, notably reorganizing a bank to optimize operations and developing dashboards for improved decision-making.
An industry advocate, Sam has testified before Congress on compliance and payments issues, including representing community banks during the interchange debate.
Professional Background
Prior to consulting, Sam held key executive roles, including COO, CIO, and CEO, in his distinguished banking career. He led transformative projects like core system implementations, Check 21 adoption, and faster payments initiatives. As a founding member of NACHA’s Risk Management Advisory Group and participant in the Back Office Conversion Workgroup, he helped shape ACH and retail payments standards. He also influenced Check 21 rules on the Retail Payments Advisory Board.
Sam has held leadership positions such as Chair of the ICBA Payments and Technology Committee, board member of TCM Bank and Bancard, and member of the Visa Community Bank Advisory Council. He served on the CFPB Community Bank Advisory Board and contributed to Federal Reserve payment system initiatives.
Education
Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Finance from Florida State University and a Master of Banking from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
Furthermore
Sam is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys golf, fishing, skiing, and hunting. He is also a car enthusiast. And a fun fact about Sam is that he has visited all 50 U.S. states and their capitals.