Jeff Taraba

About Jeff Taraba

WHO I AM: I’m an action-driven change agent who transforms business by owning results and empowering teams. As an industry expert, I employ sound decision-making to balance risk, profits & customer experience. By leading teams with flexibility, I provide cross-functional vision while positioning banking institutions for national growth within the cutting-edge arena of product innovation.WHAT DRIVES ME: Originally, I thought I wanted to be an accountant. I quickly found out it was too structured and rigid. I like numbers. Theory. Flexibility. Strategy. So, I headed out on a career path that would take advantage of my passions while driving wins for my banks and our clients.MY PROFESSIONAL MANTRA: I take progress seriously. Whether it is my own, my team’s, or my portfolio’s, I find new ways to meet needs and provide solutions. MY IMPACT: I address the age-old question in banking…is banking a commodity? YES! And, customer experience is paramount. Banking has essentially become a technology company with more competitors than ever. And the two things that will set us apart are products and service. How do we achieve best-in-class results? By taking progress seriously.SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: ⋙ CROSS-BUSINESS/CROSS-FUNCTION INITIATIVE MANAGEMENT: I am well-versed in supporting critical projects. My two greatest strengths are strategy and talent development.⋙ CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOCUS: I have a strong understanding of how banks work and what clients desire. This consistently delivers revenue growth.⋙ INCLUSIVE TEAM LEADERSHIP: I energize change by example and celebrate diversity. With face-to-coaching and talent recognition programs, I earn and capitalize on employee loyalty.⋙ PROCESS INNOVATION: I manage end-to-end relationships through the clutter to understand needs and identify areas of opportunity—both individually and corporately. CONNECT: If you have a shared passion for banking and finance, connect today.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Director of Citizens Access

   Citizens

   May 2021 — Present · Cleveland, OH, US

   Citizens Bank declared having national capabilities is critical for long-term growth. I now lead the strategy for the bank\'s $11 billion National Checking & Deposit portfolio known as Citizens Access.SCOPE: I oversee the overall portfolio growth and customer experience roadmap for Checking, Savings & CD’s for all Citizens Access customers. This includes building a customer centric centric and API driven next generation technology architecture to meet Citizens’ digital aspirations. Goal is to position the bank for sustainable, long-term customer growth including the future convergence of all Citizens Bank’s Retail & Wealth customers onto to the new technology platform.

Education

• Cleveland State University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business

  2006

• John Carroll University

  Bachelor of Science, Economics

  2001

Skills

• Sales
• Portfolio Management
• Loans
• Management
• Leadership
• Banking
• Risk Management
• Financial Analysis
• Credit
• Strategy
• Commercial Banking
• Finance