Hatch Bank Taps Fintech Veterans to Lead Sponsor Banking Charge

SAN MARCOS, CA – January 13, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling its ambition to lead the burgeoning sponsor banking sector, Hatch Bank today announced the appointment of two seasoned fintech and banking executives to its leadership team. Amanda Swoverland, a recognized expert in fintech compliance, will take the helm as President, while Francis Mitchell, a veteran in financial strategy and risk management, joins as Chief Financial Officer.

These high-profile appointments are a clear statement of intent from the tech-forward sponsor bank, a subsidiary of the $5 billion Firstrust Bank. As the embedded finance ecosystem explodes, Hatch is positioning itself not just as a participant but as a leader, fortifying its executive ranks with the deep expertise required to navigate rapid growth and increasing regulatory oversight. The move comes as the bank reports significant momentum, having doubled its lending partnerships and nearly tripled its earnings from 2024 to 2025.

An Executive Power Play for a New Era

The selection of Swoverland and Mitchell is a calculated play to blend innovative growth with institutional discipline. Amanda Swoverland is widely regarded in the industry as a trusted operator who bridges the gap between fintech ambition and regulatory reality. Her career is a map of the evolution of bank-fintech partnerships. Before joining Hatch, she served as Chief Compliance Officer at Unit Finance, an infrastructure company at the heart of the embedded finance movement. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at Sunrise Banks, where she was instrumental in building its reputation as a premier sponsor bank, holding roles including Chief Risk Officer.

Francis Mitchell brings a complementary skill set focused on financial stewardship and strategic foresight. His career includes leadership roles as CFO at BankFund Credit Union and senior treasury and investment positions at Republic Bank and Webster Bank. His expertise in modernizing finance functions, managing balance sheets, and navigating complex regulatory relationships is critical for a bank on a steep growth trajectory.

Together, their appointments address a common pain point in the industry. “Fintechs often struggle to receive timely, transparent, and consultative decisions from their banking partner, creating unpredictable experiences,” said Richard Green, Chairman of both Hatch Bank and its parent organization, Firstrust Bank. He noted that Swoverland and Mitchell are tasked to “drive forward Hatch’s mission to build a bank that is decisive, nimble, and unwaveringly customer-centric.”

Balancing Innovation on the Regulatory Frontier

The timing of these hires is crucial. As sponsor banking—where chartered banks provide the regulatory rails for fintechs to operate—matures, so does the attention from regulators like the FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The industry is grappling with how to foster innovation while ensuring robust third-party risk management, safety, and soundness. Hatch Bank’s decision to install leaders with deep compliance and risk pedigrees is a proactive strategy to address this challenge head-on.

Swoverland’s background is particularly relevant. Her experience as a Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer at firms that live and breathe bank-fintech partnerships gives her a unique perspective on building programs that are both commercially successful and regulatorily sound. She has a proven track record of embedding compliance into the operational fabric of a company, a skill set that is now invaluable.

“Hatch Bank already has an outstanding team: leaders with deep fintech expertise and a shared commitment to responsible, growth-oriented fintech partnerships,” Swoverland stated. “I’m energized to join a group of executives who understand the unique responsibilities of sponsorship banking. I look forward to working with them to deepen partner relationships and build on the strong foundation already in place.” Her focus, she said, will be on strengthening these partnerships while ensuring the bank remains a trusted and transparent partner to fintechs and regulators alike.

Humanizing Partnerships in a Tech-Driven World

Beyond the strategic and regulatory implications, the appointments also signal a focus on the cultural and relational aspects of sponsor banking. In an industry defined by APIs and automation, Hatch is emphasizing a “relationship-focused” approach. The bank aims to differentiate itself by being a reliable, communicative, and consistent partner, moving beyond a purely transactional dynamic.

This philosophy directly targets the frustrations of fintech founders who need more than just a banking charter; they need a partner that understands their business and can provide clear guidance. Swoverland's reputation as a “relationship-centric executive” aligns perfectly with this mission. Her appointment, reporting directly to Timothy J. Abell, who serves as CEO of both Hatch Bank and Firstrust Bank, ensures this vision is driven from the very top of the organization.

This strategy is underpinned by the stability and long-term vision of its parent company. Firstrust Bank, a family-owned institution with over 90 years of history and more than $5 billion in assets, provides a foundation of trust and financial strength. This backing allows Hatch to operate with the agility of a fintech-focused entity while offering the security and longevity of a well-established bank. The integrated leadership structure, with both Green and Abell overseeing both entities, ensures that Hatch's innovative pursuits are fully aligned with the parent company's strategic commitment to the future of finance. By bringing in this level of seasoned talent, Hatch Bank is making a clear statement of intent to not just participate in the sponsor banking market, but to lead it with a new standard of expertise and partnership quality.