Samvir Sidhu on career development

About Samvir Sidhu

Samvir Sidhu, President and Vice Chairman of Customers Bancorp, has discussed the bank's positioning as a "startup bank" that operates at the intersection of banking and fintech. In a September 2021 podcast, Sidhu described Customers Bank as a "bank in transition" that is not burdened by legacy technology and plans to lean more heavily into digital banking and banking-as-a-service. He noted that the bank welcomed opportunities to be a first partner or fast follower with fintechs, and highlighted its rapid response during the pandemic, including standing up a digital PPP application within 72 hours that ultimately processed nearly 400,000 loans and $11 billion in funds. Sidhu also discussed the bank's work with the CFPB to build a fairness test for lending, which resulted in a no-action letter, and stated that alternative data points could improve the fairness of the credit system. In a September 2022 podcast, Sidhu reflected on leadership and organizational change, drawing on his earlier career experiences including his time at Rogers Video. He stated that "the way you look at your core competencies defines how you will navigate change" and observed that Netflix saw streaming as an opportunity while his former employer viewed it as a threat. Sidhu emphasized that leadership today requires vulnerability and the courage to admit uncertainty, and that leaders must be open to influence from their teams. He also noted that the pandemic forced organizations to transform rapidly, with changes like curbside pickup occurring in weeks rather than months or years.

Profile compiled from Samvir Sidhu's verified public interviews and appearances. See all quotes & transcripts →