Scott Powell

Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Wells Fargo

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Scott Powell has been Wells Fargo’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2019, and in September 2026 the bank named him its next Chief Risk Officer, effective January 2027. He brings more than three decades in retail banking, risk management and consumer and auto lending: he began in risk management at Citigroup, held senior consumer banking and risk roles at JPMorgan Chase, and ran Santander’s U.S. holding company and its consumer finance business as chief executive. Wells Fargo ranked No. 38 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wells Fargo since December 2019.
• Appointed Chief Risk Officer effective 15 January 2027.
• CEO of Santander Holdings USA and Santander Consumer USA.
• Chief Risk Officer, Consumer, at JPMorgan Chase.

Professional Journey

Powell earned a BA at the University of Minnesota and an MBA at the University of Maryland. He spent 14 years in risk management roles at Citigroup, then held roles at JPMorgan Chase including Chief Risk Officer, Consumer; President of Consumer Lending; CEO of Consumer Banking and Retail Investments; and Head of Banking and Consumer Lending Operations.

He was chief executive of Santander Consumer USA Holdings and of Santander Holdings USA.

He joined Wells Fargo as Chief Operating Officer in December 2019. In September 2026 Wells Fargo announced he would become Chief Risk Officer on 15 January 2027. He is a trustee of Phipps Houses in New York.

Education

University of Minnesota

Bachelor of Arts

University of Maryland

MBA