Black-Owned Bank Carver Bancorp Appoints New President

Carver Bancorp, one of the nation’s largest Black-owned banks, has appointed Donald Felix as President and CEO, effective November 1, 2024.

Felix, who will also serve on the Carver Board, is an accomplished banking executive with over 25 years of global banking experience and broad C-level experience.

Meet Carver Bancorp’s Incoming President, Donald Felix 

In his last role at Citizens Financial Group, Inc., as Executive Vice President and Head of National Banking & Expansion, Felix drove increased profitability and deposits by $3B. 

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In this and previous roles at JPMorgan Chase and Citi, he has had extensive experience managing deposits and lending, delivering innovations in digital banking, and launching new products and solutions for consumer financial health. 

His roles have spanned consumer banking and wealth management, corporate banking, office of the Chairman/CEO, and investment banking, domestically and internationally.

Felix holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BBA in Information Systems and Analysis from Howard University. He is a Director at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.

Felix will succeed Craig MacKay, who has served as interim CEO since October 2023 following the departure of former CEO Michael Pugh. MacKay will continue to serve on the Carver Board.

“Carver has been a driving force in economic empowerment in Greater New York City for more than seven decades doing some of the most impact-driven work in banking,” said Incoming President and CEO Donald Felix on his appointment. 

“I look forward to advancing Carver’s growth, creating value for our stakeholders, and promoting greater financial inclusion and economic mobility. We will continue to play a central role in ensuring we meet the evolving needs of consumers and helping our communities thrive. I want to thank Lewis, Craig, and the Board for their incredible support and encouragement. I deeply respect the executives and employees who have built this incredible financial institution. Working together with the team and our partners, I know Carver’s best days lie ahead,” he continued.

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What Carver Bancorp’s Board Are Saying

Members of Carver Bancorp’s board also commented on the latest appointment.

“Don Felix has an outstanding record of executive experience and achievement in the banking industry,” said Lewis P. Jones III, Chairman of the Board. “His expertise will help Carver achieve its strategic objective to create new revenue streams and further enhance shareholder value. He will fulfill Carver’s mission of expanding access to capital in the communities it serves. On behalf of the Bank, our customers, and valued community partners, I welcome Don to the Carver family and look forward to his contributions in the months and years ahead. I also want to thank Craig for his vital work and leadership in serving as Interim President and CEO with distinction over the past year.”

“I have known Don Felix for over a decade—and I am confident he has the strategic and operational expertise to elevate the banking experience for our customers, expand our community relationships, drive technological enhancements at the Bank, and enhance profitability for our shareholders,” said Craig C. MacKay, Interim President, and CEO. “It has been an honor to serve as Interim President and CEO. I want to thank my colleagues at Carver, our customers, and banking partners for their unwavering support of our institution during my tenure.”

Photo: Donald Felix, Carver Bancorp