“Strategic growth begins with understanding people—then building solutions that move them.”
William M. “Ted” Anders, III is a forward-thinking financial services executive with over three decades of transformative leadership in the banking and fintech sectors. With a career founded on results, innovation, and strategic insight, Ted has become a trusted architect of growth and change in highly regulated, competitive environments. From Fortune 500 banks to nimble credit unions, his work has consistently bridged the gap between visionary strategy and operational execution, always with a clear focus on people, performance, and purpose.
Ted’s journey began in banking operations roles at MBNA America Bank before transitioning to the foundational world of unsecured lending at MBNA / Bank of America, where his early roles in credit risk strategies and business development set the tone for a career that would blend technical expertise with a human-centered approach. Rising quickly through the ranks, he became known for his ability to bring structure to complexity, creativity to stagnation, and vision to emerging financial products. His development of a private-label card for a key point-of-sale business partner, coupled with a 60% NIBT growth in MBNA’s credit protection product across its Consumer Lending platform, signaled an early mastery of innovation and profitability in tandem.
He next joined TD Bank, where he held multiple senior roles and ultimately led the unsecured lending division. There, he created and launched the TD Express personal loan, a product that eliminated a traditional 21-day approval lag with a rapid 48-hour process—delivering not just faster service, but more empathetic lending. Under Ted’s leadership, TD Bank’s credit card business exploded: annual new credit card sales jumped 540%, and portfolio balances nearly tripled from $335 million to $1 billion. This success was no accident. It stemmed from a deep understanding of the customer journey, combined with a marketer’s intuition and a data analyst’s precision.
Ted carried this momentum to Fifth Third Bank as Payments Director, where he orchestrated the acquisition of over 260,000 new credit card accounts annually, while also overseeing debit and reloadable card growth. A pioneer in credit card analytics, he established Fifth Third’s first dedicated analytics team, embedding a culture of data-driven decisions across acquisition and account management. His approach fused strategy with storytelling—translating numbers into narratives that drove executive buy-in and accelerated innovation.
At Bank of the West, Ted launched “Prospect Marketing,” a transformative campaign that invited non-customers into the credit card ecosystem, generating an additional 20,000 cardholders in its first year. His efforts modernized the bank’s payments strategy and reshaped how financial products could be marketed across digital and traditional channels. By bringing pre-approval options to small businesses and promoting omni-channel visibility, Ted demonstrated once again his ability to think ahead of the curve and align stakeholders across product lines.
In 2021, Ted took on the role of Head of Payment Strategies and Operations at Affinity Federal Credit Union. Over three years, he grew credit card balances by 25%, while simultaneously reducing operational and rewards-related expenses by 15%. As an executive team member, Ted wasn’t just a strategist—he was a builder. He evaluated emerging fintech tools, integrated customer feedback into operational design, and helped position Affinity as a leader in responsive, technology-enabled banking. His hallmark was empathy combined with excellence—ensuring customers and colleagues felt heard while pushing the organization forward.
Ted’s influence is not confined to boardrooms and spreadsheets. A passionate mentor and coach, he has spent time leading youth sports teams and contributing to community programs that instill leadership in young people. Whether on the field or in the office, Ted believes that coaching is the heart of leadership: setting a vision, nurturing potential, and celebrating growth. His interests in sports, music, and craft brewing reflect a vibrant personality grounded in curiosity and connection.
Throughout his 31-year career, Ted has maintained a strong international perspective, with business exposure in Canada and a global mindset informed by regulatory shifts, fintech trends, and the evolving needs of consumers worldwide. His ability to navigate both macroeconomic forces and micro-level customer insights has made him a rare and valuable advisor to C-suites, boards, and operational teams alike.
Ted is not only an executor but a lifelong learner. Holding an MBA with a concentration in Marketing and a BA in both Economics and History from the University of Delaware, he brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and narrative depth to every challenge. His technical proficiencies—spanning SQL, project management, and advanced analytics platforms—enable him to bridge traditional banking operations with the digital future.
At his core, Ted is a growth strategist who believes in the power of purpose. He’s a champion of businesses that put people first, innovate fearlessly, and lead with integrity. As he continues to explore board opportunities, he brings with him the wisdom of experience, the vision of a futurist, and the commitment of a mentor—ready to help the next great business thrive.
Character:
Ted Anders exemplifies integrity and empathy, always prioritizing people in every strategic decision he makes. His commitment to coaching youth and fostering inclusive workplaces reflects a deep-rooted belief in service, trust, and community.
Knowledge:
With over 30 years of experience in credit, lending, and payments, Ted brings expansive and granular insight into the financial services industry. His track record of creating high-impact marketing campaigns and fintech strategies proves his depth of understanding and readiness to lead innovation.
Strategic:
Ted approaches every opportunity with a long-term vision, aligning tactical decisions with broader business goals. Whether growing a credit portfolio or launching a new product, he crafts roadmaps that deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes.
Communication:
A natural storyteller and persuasive leader, Ted bridges silos with clarity and charisma. His ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives inspires collaboration across all levels of an organization.
