‘Joining MeDirect was a big change for me’ – Jean-Claude Maher appointed MeDirect Group CEO

“Joining MeDirect was a big change for me,” says Jean-Claude Maher, the newly appointed Group CEO at MeDirect.

Mr Maher has been a regular visitor in Malta over the past two years, having joined the pan-European digital bank as Group Chief Operating Officer in 2023.

“I was looking for a vibrant, dynamic organisation which is focused on leveraging new technology to meet customer expectations, and I certainly found that at MeDirect. Joining MeDirect also meant an introduction to Malta, where the bank has its origins and where most of our tech development takes place. It’s been a hectic but very enjoyable period, and I am now looking forward to relocating to Malta on a permanent basis in the coming weeks,” he says.

The group now serves more than 155,000 customers who hold over €5.8 billion in deposits and investments.

In a statement shared with MaltaCEOs.mt, MeDirect says it has has continued to enhance its platform, providing customers across its three core markets – Malta, Belgium, and the Netherlands – with a digital banking and mobile app ecosystem that delivers seamless access to daily banking services and the ability to trade thousands of financial instruments. The bank in Malta has also launched a separate platform to serve the specific needs of its growing portfolio of corporate clients.

“Scaling a fintech is no easy task. You need great teams which understand changing customer behaviours and have the technical expertise to create and build a great experience that works across multiple jurisdictions. I am proud of what we have achieved, thanks in no small part to the vision and determination of Arnaud Denis, our previous CEO. During my time as COO, my focus has been on developing robust but agile processes that have facilitated this growth,” says Mr Maher.

He adds that MeDirect “now has a platform that is scalable and adaptable to local market conditions as well as to the needs of customers in both the retail and corporate markets. This puts us in a great position to drive further expansion and disrupt the financial services industry in Malta and across Europe. It’s this potential that excites me as I take on this new role.”

Mr Maher acknowledges that the challenges facing various sectors, including banking, were numerous. While the banking sector has returned to a more normal interest rate environment, it still faces increasing economic and political volatility.

He also highlights the continuous advancement of technology, particularly the growing role of AI across all banking functions. However, he expresses confidence that MeDirect’s agile and innovative culture enabled it to adapt quickly and meet customer expectations efficiently. He emphasises the need for digital banking to become more personalised and intuitive, allowing customers to plan and manage their financial journeys with confidence. Despite these challenges, he is certain that MeDirect is well-positioned to adapt and thrive.

The new leadership at MeDirect is not expected to bring any immediate, significant changes, given that Mr Maher’s appointment as Group CEO is still pending regulatory approval.

“That said, he is firmly focused on the future and how MeDirect can be a key player in a fast-changing world,” adds the statement.