Team

Martin McCarthy

Co-Founder, Director and Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. McCarthy is responsible for overall implementation and management of bank objectives, policies, culture, and strategic plan. Mr. McCarthy’s experience spans over 20 years in banking and real estate in the Washington area. Mr. McCarthy is a graduate of Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA and a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, University of Pennsylvania, and earned the Wharton Leadership Certificate for Executive Leadership in Banking. He has been and is currently active on several boards and committees for various organizations in the Washington area. Mr. McCarthy currently serves as board member at The Father McKenna Center and is a Trustee at the Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Jonathan Higgins

Co-Founder, President & Chief Banking Officer

Mr. Higgins oversees efforts to attract new customers and expand market share. He leads retail, business development, marketing, technology, and deposit operations teams at the bank. Mr. Higgins’ experience spans over 20 years in community banking, in the greater Washington area, with a focus on commercial deposits, treasury management and commercial lending. Mr. Higgins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing from James Madison University and completed advanced banking education at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking, University of Pennsylvania. Outside of his role at Founders Bank, Mr. Higgins has been an active member of numerous organizations and currently serves as Chair and board member of the Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority and former President and current board member of Second Story, a non-profit serving disadvantaged youth. He is also an active member of Leadership Greater Washington (Class of 2025).

Gerard McLoughlin

Co-Founder, EVP, Chief Credit Officer

Mr. McLoughlin oversees Founders Bank’s credit approval, collateral review, and credit policies, and develops strategies for risk management to ensure sound underwriting. Mr. McLoughlin also serves as the Compliance Officer and AML/CFT Officer for the Bank, chairing the Compliance Committee and managing all aspects of compliance and AML/CFT activity, reviews, audits, and exams. Mr. McLoughlin’s experience spans over 20 years in community banking, all within the greater DC and Baltimore areas. Mr. McLoughlin is a graduate of Marymount University, Arlington, VA, with a Master of Business Administration degree, and earned a B.A. degree in Communications from Fordham University, Bronx, NY. He was named a Next Leader in Banking by the Maryland Bankers Association and the Warren Group in 2014. He has been an active member and board member at numerous organizations in the greater DC area, currently serving as Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland and Finance Committee Chair of St. John’s College High School.

Karen Grau

EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Grau has over thirty-five years of financial services experience in the local community banking industry. She most recently served as Director of Financial Reporting for Capital Bank, NA, preparing all SEC regulatory filings for their new IPO. Ms. Grau also served as Senior Vice President of Financial Reporting with Revere Bank, responsible for internal and external financial reporting, and served as Secretary of the Asset & Liability Committee. Prior to its acquisition by Revere Bank, Ms. Grau was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Monument Bank from its formation, where she directed all financial activities and human resources. Ms. Grau also assisted Congressional Bank at its inception, serving as Controller and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that position, she served as Chief Financial Officer of FBR National Bank & Trust during the acquisition and charter conversion of Rushmore Trust and Savings. Ms. Grau’s first long-term banking experience was with Home Federal Savings Bank, previously located in the exact location of the new Founders Bank branch, where she served thirteen years in various positions including Assistant Controller and Assistant Vice President of Loan Servicing. Ms. Grau is an original Washingtonian, received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of the District of Columbia, and passed the CPA exam in Washington, DC. Ms. Grau has been active with St. Mary’s Parish in Rockville, Maryland, and served for over ten years on the Parish Finance Council and School Advisory Board.

In Memoriam

Domingo Rodriguez

1948-2020

Founding director Domingo Rodriguez, a banking leader in the Washington region for more than 40 years, died at his home in Germantown, MD, January 20, 2020. He was 71. Mr. Rodriguez served as the bank’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) until the onset of his illness.

Mr. Rodriguez was a seasoned bank executive with over 40 years in banking and finance having served as Chief Financial Officer at four community banks in the Washington Metropolitan Area ranging from $120 million to $4.3 billion. Most recently, Mr. Rodriguez served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Bank of Georgetown from its formation in 2005 until it was acquired by United Bank in 2016. Mr. Rodriguez started his banking career in internal audit and risk management, having held positions as Audit Manager and Senior Risk Officer. Mr. Rodriguez was a Certified Public Accountant. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD and was also a graduate of the School of Banking, University of Wisconsin. He was a member of the AICPA and a member of the Board of Directors of Martha’s Table where he served as Vice Chair. He also served on the Board of Directors of Capital Impact Partners and the Board of Trustees of Trinity Washington University.

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