FINOM, the leading European digital banking solution for SMEs and entrepreneurs, today announced the appointment of Kristjan Kaar as Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Elke Karskens as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
These strategic appointments bolster FINOM's leadership team as the company accelerates its growth across European markets.
Kristjan Kaar joins FINOM with a proven track record in customer-centric fintech product development. At OakNorth Bank, he led the creation of a product-led organization that achieved one of the highest Net Promoter Scores in the market. His background also includes leadership roles at Bloomberg, where he managed cross-functional teams across global offices and developed innovative financial technology solutions. His expertise aligns perfectly with FINOM's mission to transform SME banking.
"FINOM's momentum in European SME banking presents an exciting opportunity to revolutionize how entrepreneurs manage their finances," said Kristjan Kaar. "We are focused on creating intuitive products that become indispensable to our customers, enhancing our positive impact on European small businesses."
Elke Karskens brings over two decades of experience of international marketing and business development in leadership roles, with brands like Coinbase and Facebook (Meta) on her resumé. Her expertise in scaling technology platforms across European markets will be instrumental in driving FINOM's expansion.
"FINOM's mission goes beyond providing financial services - we're empowering entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses while we simplify their financial operations," said Elke Karskens. "By combining deep customer insights with innovative marketing strategies, we'll strengthen FINOM's position as a trusted partner for small businesses across Europe.
These appointments follow several strategic moves by FINOM throughout 2024, including an avalanche of local IBAN services across key European markets, notable c-level appointments of Alessandro Camilotti as CFO and Rob Allen as Head of Sales, and appointments of new board members Kseniia Kutyreva, Peter De Caluwe and Frank Stockx.
"As FINOM continues its growth, strengthening our executive team with world-class talent is crucial," said Andrey Petrov, CEO and co-founder of FINOM. "Elke and Kristjan’s exceptional expertise and leadership will be instrumental in accelerating our product development and market expansion to serve one million European SMEs by 2026."
Following its €50 million Series B round in early 2024, FINOM surpassed 100,000 customers across five European markets while maintaining strong unit economics. The company's rapid product development and market expansion position it well for its next phase of accelerated growth.