John Grund

John Grund co-manages the Card Issuing practice area where he helps banks, retailers, manufacturers, affinity groups, and other partners develop, execute, and implement payment product strategies. John's specializes in the formation and growth of financial services partnerships. His product knowledge includes general-purpose, co-brand, private label cards, prepaid products, closed-end loans, loyalty programs, and emerging payment products. He supports clients in the areas of strategic planning, partnership formation, mergers and acquisitions, financial planning and analysis, sourcing evaluations, and marketing strategy development.

Recent clients include many of the most prominent retailers, manufacturers, and banks. John has extensive experience in the formation of card-based partnerships ranging from the industry's largest outsourcing arrangements to new program launches. Representative projects include advising Federated Department Stores, Belk, The Bon-Ton, Boscov's, Circuit City and J.C. Penney Company in their respective outsourcing decisions. He has also advised specialty finance companies, insurance providers, and affinity groups in the start-up and renewal of their card partnerships. John has also assisted clients in the evaluation of international expansion efforts, joint venture opportunities, new product development, and acquisition/divestiture initiatives.

Previously, John worked at General Electric Company in its credit card business, GE Consumer Finance. John is a frequent speaker and presenter at industry conferences, executive forums, and client conferences. He also authors articles and conducts surveys for major publications and client newsletters.

John received his M.B.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and his B.S., Summa Cum Laude, in finance and economics from the University of Maryland.