Paul Edwards
About Paul Edwards
Paul Edwards is the Director of Credit at Wealthsimple, with extensive experience in data science, model innovation, and fraud analytics in the financial sector.
Current Role as Director of Credit at Wealthsimple
Paul Edwards has been serving as the Director of Credit at Wealthsimple since 2022. In this role, he contributes to the company's strategic expansion into retail credit products. His work marks a significant diversification from Wealthsimple's traditional emphasis on wealth management. Edwards' responsibilities include overseeing credit product development and guiding the company’s entry into new financial services markets.
Previous Experience at Scotiabank
Paul Edwards worked as the Director of Data Science and Model Innovation at Scotiabank from 2016 to 2021. Over his five-year tenure in Toronto, he led initiatives focused on machine learning strategies, developing sophisticated algorithms, and utilizing alternative data for innovative model creation. His efforts were pivotal in enhancing the bank’s data science capabilities and model accuracy.
Senior Analyst Role at BMO Financial Group
From 2013 to 2016, Paul Edwards was a Senior Analyst in North American fraud modeling and analytics at BMO Financial Group. Based in the Toronto, Canada Area, his role concentrated on the development and refinement of fraud detection models and analytical tools to safeguard financial transactions. Edwards' expertise contributed to a more secure and efficient fraud management system at BMO.
Educational Background and Expertise in Numerical Ecology
Paul Edwards holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Numerical Ecology from McGill University, where he studied from 2008 to 2013. His academic background provided him with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis and ecological modeling. This expertise has been integral to his subsequent roles in financial data science, fraud analytics, and credit product innovation.
Contribution to Finaptic and Its Acquisition
Paul Edwards played a key role in launching credit products at Finaptic, an early-stage FinTech company. His contributions in developing its cloud infrastructure and data science platforms were critical to Finaptic’s growth and eventual acquisition by National Bank in 2021. His work exemplifies his capability in scaling fintech innovation and driving successful acquisitions.