James Michael Beird
AUTHOR

James Michael Beird

Business & Careers
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Michael Beird is a seasoned banking executive, change consultant, and entrepreneur with more than four decades of experience in the financial services industry. Having lost his father to a heart attack when he was just eight, Michael spent his early years engrossed in books of all kinds when children his age were outside playing. After moving from Chicago to Palm Springs, California at age 14, his curiosity of the world around him led him to become an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student to West Germany for his senior year of high school. In the years that followed, Michael had the opportunity to become expert in almost all aspects of retail banking, quickly rising up through the ranks of leadership at Bank of America and Shawmut Bank Boston. This hands-on banking experience enabled him to transition easily into international management consulting, leading large-scale engagements across four continents to optimize operations, workforce management, customer experience, and regulatory compliance. As Practice Director at J.D. Power & Associates, Michael spearheaded award-winning research initiatives for top financial institutions, collaborating closely with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on critical data analysis. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found and successfully sell two SaaS platforms, BankerStuff and BankersHub, demonstrating his business acumen and ability to identify emerging market opportunities. Recognized as a thought leader in the banking industry, Michael is a sought-after speaker and author on topics ranging from cannabis banking to financial technology. He is a Co-Founder of the Association for CannabisBanking and is passionate about educating professionals on the complexities of banking in this burgeoning industry. His expertise has also been sought in legal proceedings, where he has served as an expert witness for major banks. Michael has been retained for his insights and testimony dealing with regulatory banking disputes, payments challenges, and other matters requiring expert knowledge and understanding of financial services. Beyond his professional achievements, Michael is an avid runner, having completed four marathons. He holds a BA in Social Psychology from the University of California Irvine, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Cornell University. He has been married to Daria Beird for more than 42 years and they have two daughters: Meridith, linguist, project manager, and co-author of this book; and Allyssa, elementary school teacher and regular athlete on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
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