John Watkins leads Fraud Strategy and Operations for Jenius Bank, the digital banking unit of Manufacturers bank. His responsibilities include the buildout of authentication and customer protection functions, partnering with our product, experience, risk, and technology teams at Manufacturers Bank and across SMBC to protect our customers and the bank from fraudulent activity that might lead to losses while balancing a frictionless customer experience.

John joins us from the SAS Institute where he was the Global Lead for Identity and Digital Fraud.  Prior to SAS, John worked in Fraud and Credit Risk roles at Synchrony, Bank of America, and First Union Bank.  He has an impressive track record of implementing improved fraud strategies and technologies that led to significant reductions in fraud losses.  John is also a Six Sigma Master Black Belt and a self-described data geek.

John is married with three kids and is a native and current resident of Charlotte, NC.  When he’s not fighting fraud, he is working on his Master of Science degree in Predictive Analytics at Northwestern University.  He enjoys traveling with his wife and three adult children, poker, golf, and coaching and playing soccer.  He’s also enjoys volunteering and mentoring gifted students, scouts, and church youth.