Ram Puppala Joins Metropolitan Commercial Bank as Senior Vice President Leading Digital Transformation

Metropolitan Commercial Bank has brought on Ram Puppala as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, marking a significant leadership move in the financial institution’s ongoing digital evolution. With over two decades of experience driving fintech innovations across the financial services landscape, Puppala will oversee the scaling and management of MCB’s digital platforms and payment solutions infrastructure.

Extensive Track Record in Financial Technology

Puppala’s career spans multiple facets of financial technology evolution. His background encompasses application architecture, strategic deployment of financial information systems, online banking infrastructure, payment processing and settlement systems, as well as online trading and brokerage platforms. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at State Street Bank and Trust, one of the world’s largest providers of financial services technology.

His career trajectory also includes senior and founding management roles at prominent fintech organizations including Fiserv Inc., FNSTAR, Inc., and E*Trade Financial Group—companies that have shaped the evolution of modern financial technology.

Strategic Vision for MCB’s Digital Future

Reporting to Chief Operating Officer Dixiana Berrios, Puppala’s mandate encompasses advancing MCB’s position in digital payment settlement while introducing more efficient and streamlined technological solutions across the entire banking ecosystem. His appointment reflects Metropolitan Commercial Bank’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge as both a banking innovator and payment solutions provider.

COO Berrios emphasized that Puppala’s operational leadership will extend beyond payment systems, reengineering technological frameworks throughout the organization. CEO Mark DeFazio highlighted that Puppala’s proven ability to architect enterprise-grade fintech solutions for leading U.S. and global financial institutions—consistently delivered on schedule and within budget—positions him to advance MCB’s mission of serving clients while scaling operations and generating shareholder value.

Academic Credentials and Community Commitment

Puppala holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Technology from the University of Pune and maintains professional certifications from Stanford and Johns Hopkins Universities. He is actively pursuing the MIT Executive MBA program through MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Puppala has demonstrated commitment to social impact initiatives. He actively supports two organizations focused on expanding opportunity: CORD USA, Inc., which empowers women in rural communities toward business independence, and Girls Who Code Inc., which aims to increase female representation in technology fields.

About Metropolitan Commercial Bank

Headquartered in New York City, Metropolitan Commercial Bank operates full-service banking centers across Manhattan, Brooklyn’s Boro Park, and Great Neck on Long Island. The institution serves small businesses, middle-market enterprises, public sector organizations, and high-net-worth individuals through a relationship-driven model complemented by digital banking channels, mobile applications, and access to over 1 million ATMs worldwide. MCB also serves as an active provider of debit card issuance for third-party programs.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank operates as a New York State-chartered commercial bank and FDIC member. Its parent company, Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp., trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol MCB.