Bradley is available for hire
Hire BradleyBradley Margol
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Phoenix, AZ, United States
Toptal member since March 3, 2022
Bio
Bradley is a finance expert and a leader who understands the big picture and can balance strategic vision and thought leadership with practical execution. As a certified public accountant (CPA) with an MBA in international business, Bradley is highly-skilled in global strategy, corporate finance, business process improvement, and corporate development, having thorough experience in the credit card and payments industry.
Career Highlights
Principal (Payment Processing Ecosystem)
Brad Margol Consulting LLC
Vice President of Corporate Development
JPMorgan Chase
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Certification Highlights
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
California Board of Accountancy
Case Studies
Evaluation of Merchant Acquirer for Acquisition
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)ValuationPayment GatewaysCard PaymentsCredit Card ProcessingOnline Payments+ 1 more
Head of Payments
Strategic InitiativesStrategic PlanningContract NegotiationCard PaymentsPayment GatewaysStripe Payments+ 5 more
Research Paper on Credit Card Profitability
Card PaymentsCredit Card ProcessingMarket ResearchActivity-based CostingWriting & EditingFinancial Services
Expertise
- Card Payments
- Corporate Development
- Corporate Finance
- Credit Card Processing
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Prepaid Debit Cards
- Strategic Planning
- Strategy
Work Experience
Principal (Payment Processing Ecosystem)
2015 - PRESENT
Brad Margol Consulting LLC
- Led payment initiatives for a $4-billion animal healthcare technology company, including negotiating a co-branded credit card deal and global payment facilitation. Evaluated Worldpay, Chase, Fiserv, Stripe, and Adyen as a payment facilitator partner; conducted deep-dive technical mapping of Fiserv data fields and file structures to ensure seamless transaction-level attribute integration.
- Counseled private equity firms on fintech M&A opportunities and performed due diligence on a $700 million deal.
- Restructured a debt purchasing and legal collections company, increasing profits by 275% in the first six months by enacting forensic accounting policies and providing litigation support.
- Negotiated payment processing contracts for the credit union's debit and credit card programs to save $10 million, leveraging a strong understanding of Fiserv-coded values and data to drive more accurate business reporting and KPI definitions.
- Created product and go-to-market strategies for three companies in the payments and fraud prevention space.
- Worked with PwC, performing financial due diligence on M&A deals. Prepared the company's financial statements for valuation.
- Acted as the interim CFO for a troubled $1 million auto repair company, optimizing cash flow and payments and valuing the company to be sold.
- Managed litigation and expert witness support for a forensic accounting firm, valuing small businesses and determining asset allocation.
- Recommended the mobile wallet payment option to a large hotel chain, which generated over $100 million in additional revenue.
- Authored articles for trade publications such as the American Banker, Digital Transactions, and CFO Alliance.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Expert Witness, Credit Card Processing, Card Payments, Mobile Payments, Payment Processing, Interim CFO, Strategy, Management Consulting, Project Management, Due Diligence, Writing & Editing, Intuit QuickBooks, Adobe Suite, Microsoft, Caseware, Zoom, Business Analysis, Product Strategy, Credit/Debt, Banking & Finance, Digital Product Development, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Strategic Partnerships, New Products, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Startups, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Vendor Selection, Stripe Payments, Valuation, Data Analysis, Stablecoins, Intralink, Business Development, CFO, M&A Analysis, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing, Consulting
Payment Expert
2025 - 2025
Telcoin, LLC
- Explored opportunity for stablecoin use at point-of-sale for this digital asset bank.
- Performed SWOT analysis on prepaid card versus stablecoin.
- Educated client on debit card fees and flows for processing transactions.
Focus areas: Payment Gateways, Payment Networks, Payment Processing, Business Services, Cryptocurrency, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Compliance Consultant (KYC/Payments/SMB)
2022 - 2024
Penny
- Drafted new compliance guidelines for prepaid card products.
- Helped with the transition from one payment processor to another.
- Reviewed and troubleshot payment issues and concerns.
Focus areas: Compliance, Risk & Compliance, Know Your Customer (KYC), Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Card Payments, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Compliance Consultant
2022 - 2022
Penny Inc
- Led compliance for this card issuer doing business in the US but based out of Australia.
- Negotiated with a payment processor to perform the transaction processing.
- Wrote compliance manuals to comply with payment processor requirements.
Focus areas: Compliance, Risk & Compliance, Know Your Customer (KYC), Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Card Payments, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Senior Manager | Cards and Payments SME | M&A Lead
2014 - 2015
NTT Data
- Developed the market segmentation and retention strategy resulting in a 20% increase in revenue for the top 10 card issuers.
- Improved the timeframe for closing co-branded credit card portfolio acquisitions estimated at 40% by streamlining the due diligence and conversion process.
- Turned around credit and debit card operations and decreased expenses by 30% for a top 10 bank.
- Led cards and payments practice in the western U.S. and developed banking M&A practice.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Credit Card Processing, Management Consulting, Strategy, Product Development, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Banking & Finance, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Fintech, Finance Process Improvement, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Data Analysis, Intralink, M&A Analysis, Consulting, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Consulting Partner | Global Consulting Practice
2011 - 2014
Tata Consultancy Services
- Increased the client portfolio revenue by 63% in the first year and 200% in the following years.
- Developed and led the credit card workshop leading to multimillion-dollar projects via new lines of business.
- Created and recommended a mobile wallet strategy for a top 10 bank.
- Drafted a proposal for the largest merchant acquirer to consolidate authorization and settlement transactions onto one platform for executive approval.
- Led the North America cards and payments strategy practice including the EMV migration initiative, increasing the merchant acceptance worldwide, strategic alliances, and innovation management seminars based on industry trends.
Focus areas: Credit Card Processing, Business Development, Project Management, Client Presentations, Mobile Payments, Growth Strategy Consultants, Business Consulting, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Management Consulting, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Digital Product Development, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Fintech, Finance Process Improvement, Strategic Partnerships, New Products, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Data Analysis, Consulting, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Financial Restructuring Group Executive
2009 - 2011
Houlihan Lokey
- Saved the client over $30 million on a valuation case for a payment processing company to which I contributed as an expert witness.
- Provided prospective financing vehicles for multibillion-dollar tax-refund anticipation loan programs.
- Identified and analyzed distressed financial assets and loans in the portfolio sales and purchases.
- Licensed with FINRA as a General Securities Registered Representative, Series 7 and 63.
Focus areas: Financing, Debt Restructuring, Debt Raises, Investment Banking, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Credit Cards, New Products, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Data Analysis, Intralink, Business Development
Vice President of Corporate Strategy
2006 - 2007
TSYS
- Established the company’s mission, vision, values, and corporate goals. Devised growth strategies to propel and elevate revenues by 200% and product profitability by 15%.
- Triggered $4 million per year in client savings by spearheading interchange rate analysis.
- Valued four card processing M&A deals and negotiated letters of intent.
- Priced and valued contracts for four of the company’s largest merchant acquirer clients (ISOs).
- Worked with the technology group to improve new clients onboarding from weeks to days.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Finance, Strategy, Strategic Planning & Execution, Strategic Initiatives, Credit Card Processing, Card Payments, Payment Gateways, Payment Processing, Payment Networks, Prepaid Debit Cards, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Digital Product Development, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Fintech, Strategic Partnerships, New Products, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Data Analysis, Intralink, Board Reporting, M&A Analysis, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Vice President of Corporate Development
2005 - 2006
JPMorgan Chase
- Negotiated a $700 million sale of two underperforming credit card portfolios exceeding $70 million in profit. Strategically identified and closed a sale of $15 million in commitments on two venture fund investments.
- Converted a $75 million secured card program, improving portfolio credit quality and saving $15 million.
- Directed due diligence of a $6.4 billion acquisition, collaborating as a critical integration team member. Wone a team award for closing the acquisition in record time compared to 22 previous acquisitions.
- Drafted pricing and terms on three partnership and co-branded deals and launched a gift card program.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Finance, Corporate Development, Credit Card Processing, Product Development, Contract Negotiation, Price Negotiations, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Loans & Lending, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Fintech, Strategic Partnerships, New Products, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Data Analysis, Intralink, Business Development, M&A Analysis, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
Practice Director | Strategy
2002 - 2004
STRATIVA, INC.
- Developed a proprietary predictive analytic model for the Bank of America. Identified a consumer segment worth $500 million. Led marketing campaign realizing 400% increase in response rates for new mortgages, credit cards, and checking accounts.
- Ran a credit card marketing seminar for Visa in Hong Kong directed to Chinese banks, identifying best practices on most effective marketing campaigns.
- Served as a member of the consumer marketing task force for the Bank of America.
- Structured and devised the B2B strategy, consumer segment analysis, product development, project planning, and team development for clients.
Focus areas: Strategy, Strategic Initiatives, Product Development, Credit Card Processing, Market Research, Microsoft, Finance, Business Analysis, Management Consulting, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Business Strategy, Credit Cards, Fintech, Finance Process Improvement, Strategic Partnerships, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Data Analysis, Board Reporting, Business Development, Consulting
Vice President
1992 - 2001
Bayshore Consulting, Inc.
- Established and chaired a strategy roundtable with executives from 13 of the biggest credit card banks, examining key performance indicators and benchmarks.
- Directed projects for Visa over 10+ years, including developing prepaid card products such as Visa Cash. Led and trained teams performing Visa functional cost studies used as industry benchmarks for all Bankcard operational and financial analyses.
- Completed two acquisitions of over $100 million as an international telecom firm's CFO, ranking in number one on the Inc. 500 fastest-growing companies list. Created a pricing and commission strategy that enhanced profitability by 300%.
- Raised $1 million through private placement for script development as the CFO of a motion picture production company.
- Led a startup focused on internet search engine optimization to profitability within six months, acting as the company's CFO and head of strategy.
Focus areas: Credit/Debt, Credit Risk, Card Payments, Prepaid Debit Cards, Gift Cards & Certificates, Credit Card Processing, Payment Networks, Payment Processing, Payment Gateways, CFO, Strategy, Strategic Initiatives, Strategic Planning, Accounting, Due Diligence, Activity-based Costing, Microsoft, Business Analysis, Management Consulting, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Credit Cards, Benchmarking, Product Benchmarking, Fintech, Finance Process Improvement, Strategic Partnerships, New Products, Value Proposition, Startups, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Data Analysis, Board Reporting, Business Development, M&A Analysis, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing
International Banking Officer
1990 - 1991
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp
- Managed a loans portfolio and grew it fourfold to over $400 million in 18 months.
- Introduced motion picture financing to the bank and brought over $100 million in film deals and a sizeable multipicture deal with Disney.
- Led the corporate restructuring and bankruptcy, including taking part in creditors' committees and preparing debtor-in-possession financing.
Focus areas: Financing, Portfolio Analysis, Credit Risk, Bankruptcy, Finance, Business Analysis, Product Strategy, Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Loans & Lending, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Risk Management, New Products, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Data Analysis, International Finance, Business Development
Senior Accountant | Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
1985 - 1987
EY
- Gave expert testimony valuing bankruptcy claims of over $250 million for an infamous Ponzi scheme.
- Took three entertainment companies public, raising over $1 billion in initial public offering (IPO) money.
- Audited royalties for the entertainment guilds, screen actors, and directors.
Focus areas: Bankruptcy, Auditing, Accounting, Due Diligence, Finance, Business Analysis, Credit/Debt, Market Research & Analysis, Financial Modeling, Data Analysis
Education
1987 - 1989
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business
UCLA Anderson School of Management - Los Angeles, CA, USA
1981 - 1985
Bachelor's Degree in Economics
University of California—Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Certifications
JUNE 2009 - JUNE 2013
Series 63
FINRA Organization
JUNE 2009 - JUNE 2013
Series 7
FINRA Organization
DECEMBER 1987 - PRESENT
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
California Board of Accountancy
Skills
Finance
Accounting, Credit Card Processing, Credit/Debt, Valuation, Data Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), International Finance, Portfolio Analysis, CFO, Market Research, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling, Finance Process Improvement, Debt Raises, Capital Raising, Debt Workouts, Credit Risk, Debt Restructuring
Industry Expertise
Financial Services, Banking & Finance, Credit Cards
Output Software
Stripe Payments
Data & Analysis Software
Intuit QuickBooks
Other
Card Payments, Prepaid Debit Cards, Payment Processing, Payment Networks, Financing, Gift Cards & Certificates, Payment Gateways, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Consulting, Management Consulting, Online Payments, Activity-based Costing, Business Analysis, Business Strategy, New Products, Growth Strategy, Benchmarking, Product Benchmarking, Credit Cards & Transaction Processing, Consulting, Adobe Suite, Microsoft, Caseware, Finance, Economics, Investment Banking, Interim CFO, Bankruptcy, Strategic Initiatives, Corporate Development, Contract Negotiation, Price Negotiations, Business Development, Project Management, Client Presentations, Mobile Payments, Growth Strategy Consultants, Vendor Selection, Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Value Proposition, Startups, Market Research & Analysis, Product Strategy, Loans & Lending, Fintech, Risk Management, Intralink, Board Reporting, M&A Analysis, Zoom, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), University, Auditing, Product Development, Expert Witness, Writing & Editing, Digital Product Development, Compliance, Risk & Compliance, Know Your Customer (KYC), Regulatory Compliance, Stablecoins, Business Services, Cryptocurrency
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