Steve Adams
Urbandale
Summary
Strategic Financial Services executive with 30+ years of Leadership in Business Development, Client Relationship Management, M&A, Credit Risk, Sales Management and Structured Finance. Proven success in building and mentoring high-performing teams, managing C-Suite partnerships, and leading large-scale negotiations that drive growth, profitability, and long-term client retention. Deep expertise across Consumer Lending, Commercial Credit, Auto Finance, Leasing, Residential Mortgage, Private Label Credit, and Securitization. Recognized for executive presence, strategic deal-making, and delivering results in complex, regulated industries.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director, Strategic Business Development
Agora Data
03.2025 - 08.2025
- Company Overview: Fintech platform specializing in data-driven solutions, securitization, and financing for auto dealers and lenders
- Led C-suite negotiations on asset acquisitions and funding strategies leveraging group securitization structures.
- Structured and priced transactions representing $1B+ in annual acquisition volume.
- Introduced innovative structured finance products into underserved markets, improving client economics and market positioning.
- Fintech platform specializing in data-driven solutions, securitization, and financing for auto dealers and lenders
Executive Director, Relationship Management
Wells Fargo Bank – Retail Services
06.2015 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: Division of Wells Fargo focused on private label and co-branded credit card programs, merchant services, and retail financing solutions
- Directed a tenured Relationship Management team handling $2.5B+ annual volume across large national brand clients.
- Negotiated and structured multi-year contracts with Fortune 500 C-suite leaders, delivering a 40% increase in net income.
- Achieved 500% growth for select client programs; secured $3MM+ in cost savings through contract renegotiations.
- Partnered cross-functionally with Legal, Sales, Project Management, Servicing, Marketing, and Technology teams to onboard new enterprise accounts.
- Drove strategic sales planning, pricing forecasts, and API integration strategies to strengthen client partnerships and revenue growth.
- Division of Wells Fargo focused on private label and co-branded credit card programs, merchant services, and retail financing solutions
Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions (Deal Maker)
Wells Fargo Financial
03.2003 - 06.2015
- Company Overview: Consumer finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo providing auto loans, mortgages, personal lending, and M&A deal execution prior to integration into Wells Fargo Bank
- Executed strategic acquisitions exceeding $3B in assets, partnering directly with C-suite leaders, investment banks, hedge funds, and private equity.
- Negotiated transactions from $1M to $500M+, including recurring monthly flows of $100M.
- Achieved a $350M divestiture, generating a 12% premium over target.
- Collaborated with Legal, Finance, Credit Risk, Controllers, Tax, and Corporate Strategy on complex deal structuring.
- Consumer finance subsidiary of Wells Fargo providing auto loans, mortgages, personal lending, and M&A deal execution prior to integration into Wells Fargo Bank
District Manager / Branch Management – Utah, Washington & Montana
Wells Fargo Financial
06.1991 - 03.2003
- Rebuilt a struggling $45M Consumer Finance district into one of the highest profit-per-dollar outstanding operations in the company.
- Managed 45+ employees across multiple branches and geographies, driving growth in auto loans, residential mortgages, retail finance, unsecured lending, and credit cards.
- Opened and scaled the Kalispell, MT office to profitability two years ahead of plan.
- Spearheaded the transition from manual underwriting to automated credit decisioning across the district.
- Multiple-time Star Performer and Top Gun award winner for leadership and growth.
Education
Mentorship
University of Northern Iowa / Wells Fargo Mentoring Program
Cedar Falls, IA 06.2015 - 01/2023
Certification -
Visa School
Salt Lake City, UTLicensed in Life & Accident/Health Insurance -
B.A. - Business Administration / Economics
Carroll College
Helena, MTSkills
- Strategic Business Development
- Executive Relationship Management
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Client Relationship Management
- Consumer & Commercial Credit
- Asset-Backed Securities (ABS)
- Risk Management
- Contract Structuring & Negotiation
- Pricing & Forecasting
- Strategic Partnerships
- API & SDK Integrations
- Leadership Mentorship & Coaching
- Regulatory Compliance
- Financial Services
- Banking
Leadership And Community Engagement
- Vice President, Board of Directors, Des Moines Capitals Hockey Club, 2020-2022
- Four-year All-District & All-Conference Scholar Athlete, 1986-1990
Timeline
Managing Director, Strategic Business Development
Agora Data
03.2025 - 08.2025
Mentorship
University of Northern Iowa / Wells Fargo Mentoring Program
06.2015 - 01/2023
Executive Director, Relationship Management
Wells Fargo Bank – Retail Services
06.2015 - 01.2025
Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions (Deal Maker)
Wells Fargo Financial
03.2003 - 06.2015
District Manager / Branch Management – Utah, Washington & Montana
Wells Fargo Financial
06.1991 - 03.2003
Certification -
Visa School
Licensed in Life & Accident/Health Insurance -
B.A. - Business Administration / Economics
Carroll College