Christopher Higgins

Chris is a proven Global Operations and Technology leader, Chief Information and Operations Officer (CIOO) and Board Member with deep experience in financial services.  He is an expert in transformations, acquisitions and divestitures and builder of technology and data solutions that distinctively improves customer and employee experience.  Chris is an authentic leader and team builder, who champions customer centric engineering with a unique focus on risk management.

As Chief Operations and Information Officer of MUFG Americas, Senior Advisor to CEO and direct report to MUFG Global CIO (2019–2022), Chris rebuilt and strengthened the Operations, Technology, Information Security and Risk Management Teams.  He established strong working relationships with leading executives in Tokyo and New York. Managed a $1.3B financial plan with 1.2% variance to forecast and a 4% variance with corporate challenges supporting 6,000 employees and 2,000 contractors.  Improved employee engagement from 72% to 79%.  Accountable for a $1B Transformation Program for Core Banking, Enterprise Data and Data Center Modernization. Led the successful conversion of 1.2M customers and the integration of operations and technology into U.S. Bank, while maintaining organizational, system and operational stability.

As Chief Information Officer of U.S. Bank (2012 – 2018), Chris successfully implemented 200+ projects representing over $5B investment in modernization of Lines of Business and Technology includng Anti-Money Laundering Eco-System, Customer Relationship Management, General Services Card Program, Real-Time Payments, Enterprise Fraud, IOS Mobile Application, Digital Transformation of Mortgage and Tier 3+ Data Center.  He improved attainment of service level agreements from 60% - 87% and consistently maintained employee engagement of 80% - 85%.

Chris served in leadership roles at Bank of America (1993 – 2011), across operations, technology, card services, information security, audit, project and change management.  During his tenure, he upgraded fifth largest Teradata Platform, infused Six Sigma in to Audit methodology, awarded a patent for a new approach to manage information security risk and reduced time-to-market by 50% through creation of a Joint Application Development Center. He also designed and implemented a proprietary solution for Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking in 13 months, managed 36 cash vaults and reduced operating expense by 27% with zero technology investment.

Chris started his financial services career with Shawmut National Bank’s MBA Program and previously served in the US Army.  He transformed the deployment methodology of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, resulting in deployment anywhere in the world within 24 hours.  His approach was validated in U.S. Air Force exercise and adopted by all three Ranger Battalions.

He earned an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University, while serving on active duty, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Vermont. He received his commission as a Quartermaster Officer and earned Airbourne qualification, two Army Commendation and one Meritorious Service medals.  Additionally, he has Six Sigma Lean and Black Belt certifications and earned Series 7 and 24 licenses.