Mahinda Yapa is a seasoned financial services executive whose career spans more than three decades across commercial lending, fintech innovation, credit risk management, and nonprofit governance. Known for blending entrepreneurial vision with disciplined financial leadership, Mahinda has consistently driven growth, built sustainable platforms, and championed small business empowerment. His professional journey is marked by a rare combination of corporate leadership, fintech entrepreneurship, and nonprofit board service, making him a highly respected voice in financial services and credit innovation.
Mahinda’s early career began in Sri Lanka at Sampath Bank Ltd., where he supervised a team of credit analysts tasked with industrial development lending. This formative experience rooted his belief that access to capital is one of the greatest catalysts for economic development and community growth. It also instilled in him a passion for helping entrepreneurs achieve their ambitions, a passion that would define his entire professional trajectory.
After a stint of graduate studies in the United States, Mahinda joined Portfolio Information Corp., where he honed his skills in portfolio management for consumer credit card portfolios exceeding $400 million in assets. His ability to merge quantitative tools with qualitative judgment quickly distinguished him as a leader in credit risk management. By combining data-driven insights with strategic foresight, he established a foundation for his future contributions in both corporate and fintech settings.
In 1999, Mahinda began a 15-year tenure at Pitney Bowes, where he rose to Director of Credit & Portfolio Strategy. Here, he oversaw a global portfolio more than $3 billion in leasing and credit assets. His leadership yielded multimillion-dollar savings through the implementation of automated credit line assignment processes and the development of innovative behavioral scoring models. Recognized with the company’s “Employee of the Year Award” in 2009, Mahinda demonstrated an unmatched ability to reduce write-offs while simultaneously strengthening customer relationships and profitability. His time at Pitney Bowes solidified his reputation as a forward-thinking executive capable of delivering large-scale results.
In 2013, Mahinda joined Fundation Group to build the Credit Strategy and underwriting team to execute the strategy. Beginning with five employees, he helped grow the firm into a 140-person team with a $300 million portfolio. As Executive Vice President and Head of Credit Risk Management, Mahinda built the underwriting and credit infrastructure that allowed Fundation to thrive in partnership with major banks such as Citizens, Regions, and Fifth Third. Under his leadership, the company achieved industry-leading performance with delinquency rates under five percent. Fundation’s success eventually led to a merger with ODX and an acquisition of the lending platform by Amount. Another part of Fundation became Qualum Lending Solutions that provides Small Business underwriting services for Camino Financial.
Mahinda’s fintech expertise extended further at SafraPay, an affiliate of Safra National Bank of New York. At SafraPay, he was instrumental in developing small business financing products and implementing seamless cloud-based underwriting and portfolio management platforms. His ability to negotiate vendor contracts and integrate credit data providers underscored his talent for aligning technology with business objectives. These roles further showcased his unique skill in building credit ecosystems that balance risk management with accessibility for small businesses.
In 2022, Mahinda joined Liberty Bank as Vice President of Digital Lending, leading the credit function of its Owners Bank division. Charged with building the lending business from the ground up, he spearheaded the creation of small business loan, line of credit, and credit card products. He designed and launched a cloud-based loan origination system, integrated core banking solutions, and hired and trained new teams to support the bank’s strategic growth. Liberty Bank soon nominated Mahinda to return to the Board of the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE), recognizing his longstanding contributions as a founding member and his deep expertise in small business lending data.
Beyond his corporate roles, Mahinda has been an active advocate for industry collaboration and data-driven lending practices. As a founding member and director of the SBFE, he has helped shape standards for how payment data is leveraged to improve lending decisions nationwide. His board-level leadership has advanced the availability of reliable credit information, ultimately benefiting lenders and borrowers alike. He has also served on customer advisory councils for Dun & Bradstreet and Experian, lending his expertise to some of the most influential credit data providers in the world.
Equally committed to community and education, Mahinda has volunteered with Hartford Performs, mentoring high school students and helping them prepare for future opportunities. His global perspective, rooted in his Sri Lankan beginnings and expanded through international banking and U.S.-based leadership roles, positions him as a bridge between diverse perspectives in finance and business. He speaks both English and Sinhalese, further reflecting his cross-cultural fluency.
Today, Mahinda offers consulting services to fintech institutions in New York City, advising on growth strategies, risk management, and product innovation. He remains passionate about helping small businesses access the capital they need to grow, and he continues to guide organizations that operate at the intersection of finance, technology, and data. His career reflects a philosophy that effective leadership means both building businesses and empowering communities.
Character:
Mahinda exemplifies integrity and dedication, consistently aligning his leadership with a mission to empower small businesses and communities. His career demonstrates resilience, adaptability, and a strong moral compass that has guided him across industries and cultures. He believes in service through leadership, ensuring that his impact extends beyond balance sheets to people and communities.
Knowledge:
With more than 30 years of experience, Mahinda combines deep technical expertise in credit risk management with firsthand entrepreneurial insight. His background includes leadership in global corporations, fintech startups, and nonprofit boards, giving him a comprehensive understanding of financial ecosystems. His expertise spans portfolio management, digital lending platforms, data integration, and credit policy development.
Strategic:
Mahinda is a visionary strategist who has repeatedly transformed challenges into growth opportunities. He built fintech platforms from the ground up, steered billion-dollar portfolios, and scaled startups to acquisition, all while balancing risk and innovation. His ability to align long-term strategy with operational execution makes him a valuable contributor to boards and advisory groups.
Communication:
Known for his clarity and collaborative approach, Mahinda bridges the gap between complex financial systems and practical business needs. He has led cross-functional teams, negotiated vendor contracts, and engaged industry peers with authority and respect. His approachable style, combined with thought leadership in lending and credit, fosters trust and alignment across diverse stakeholders.
