Company Info for smbcgroup.com | IcebreakerMembers
Anish Jacob is the Chief Information Officer & Head of FinTech at Jenius Bank, he is one of the founding members of Jenius Bank, a new retail banking division of SMBC in US built from ground up, he built the technology team from scratch, designed, built the best technology capabilities, infrastructure, and control environment that can scale vertically and horizontally to support the vision of being a notable full service digital bank in 10 years.
Prior to this he was also the CIO for SMBC ManuBank , After taking the business bank responsibilities, he brought best talents and strengthened the technology team, improved project management practices, controls, accelerated regulatory remediation activities, led the significant transformation initiatives to uplift technology infrastructure, digitalization of bank applications, and corporate systems.
As a member of SMBC ManuBank Management Committee (MC) and Jenius Bank Senior Executive Leadership Team (SET), Anish collaborates with business leaders, CxOs, and stakeholders to deliver digital solutions that support the company's vision, mission, and goals.
Previously, he was working as Head of Engineering - business consumer mobile, payments, & digital experience at American Express, he led a global team that built mobile and digital experience for millions of business users (small & medium enterprises), he also led teams built consumer mobile app, commerce innovation products and core banking platforms during my tenure at Amex.
In the past, he also worked at a start up as head of technology (which was later acquired by Paychex)and also at IBM as Engineering Manager/sr Engineer. he is an avid innovator and has three granted patents from USPTO.
He is an advisory board member of the Arizona CIO, a collective community of leading technology experts & CIOs from the nations most influential companies in Arizona.
He brings a unique skill of builder and operator with his background in working multiple start-up and large corporate environments over the years. 
Art and finance have long been thought of as separate worlds - but I’m working to change that. I believe they are fundamentally connected, and that connection has the potential to transform both industries.
As an AML & Sanctions Specialist at SMBC Nikko Securities, I thrive in the intricate world of compliance, ensuring financial integrity and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of regulations. From dissecting complex escalations to addressing nuanced risks, my expertise is rooted in a commitment to safeguarding the global financial system.
Beyond compliance, I’m the Founder of Paradigm Shift, an initiative focused on rethinking how cultural institutions can achieve sustainable funding solutions. With a vision that bridges cultural heritage and financial innovation, Paradigm Shift explores innovative applications of real-world assets (RWAs) to address systemic funding challenges while preserving access to the arts for future generations.
I believe in challenging conventions—whether it’s rethinking financial crime compliance strategies or exploring innovative solutions for cultural sustainability. My work sits at the intersection of finance, cultural heritage, and innovation, blending regulatory expertise with a passion for creating lasting impact.
Specialties & Focus Areas:
- AML & Sanctions Compliance
- Fintech Solutions & Real-World Asset Innovation
- Financial Risk Management & Regulatory Frameworks
- Sustainable Funding Models for Cultural Institutions
- Bridging Cultural Heritage & Financial Markets
If you’re curious about the future of finance, fintech, or cultural sustainability, let’s connect. I’m always open to exploring collaboration and conversations that push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible. 
