Varo Bank Appoints Asmau Ahmed as Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer to Drive AI Innovation

Varo Bank has hired Asmau Ahmed as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence and Data Officer (CAIDO) to lead company-wide AI and machine-learning efforts. Ahmed has over 20 years of experience in leading teams and delivering products at Google X, Bank of America, Capital One, and Deloitte. She will focus on advancing Varo's mission-driven tech evolution and improving customers' financial experiences through AI. Varo uses AI to enhance its credit-decisioning processes, and Ahmed's expertise will help guide future institution-wide advancements in AI.

Title: Varo Bank Appoints Asmau Ahmed as Chief Artificial Intelligence and Data Officer

Varo Bank, the first all-digital nationally chartered bank in the U.S., has announced the hiring of Asmau Ahmed as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence and Data Officer (CAIDO). Ahmed, who brings over 20 years of expertise in innovation from Google, Bank of America, and Capital One, will lead the company's AI and machine-learning efforts, reporting directly to CEO Gavin Michael [1].

Ahmed's appointment comes as Varo Bank continues to leverage AI to enhance its core functions. The bank has expanded credit access by using data and advanced machine learning-driven decisioning, reinforcing its mission of advancing financial inclusion with technology. The Varo Line of Credit, launched in 2024, uses self-learning models to improve its credit-decisioning processes based on proprietary algorithms, allowing some customers with reliable Varo banking histories access to loans that traditional credit score systems would have excluded [1].

Ahmed's extensive experience includes leading technology, portfolio, and customer-facing product teams at Bank of America and Capital One, as well as co-leading the Digital Innovation team at Deloitte. She has also founded a visual search advertising tech company, Plum Perfect. Her expertise will be instrumental in guiding Varo Bank's future advancements in AI.

"As a nationally-chartered bank, Varo is able to use data and AI in an innovative way that stands out across the finance industry," said Ahmed. "Today we are applying machine learning for underwriting, as well as fraud prevention and detection. I am thrilled to lead the next phase of Varo’s mission-driven tech evolution and ensure AI can improve our customers’ experiences and financial lives" [1].

Varo Bank's AI and data science efforts are designed to enhance various core functions of the company's tech stack. The appointment of Ahmed as CAIDO underscores the bank's commitment to leveraging AI to improve customer experiences and financial outcomes.

References

[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250904262245/en/Varo-Bank-to-Accelerate-Responsible-and-Customer-Focused-AI-Efforts-with-New-Chief-Artificial-Intelligence-Officer-Asmau-Ahmed