Jennifer Smith, Zions Bancorporation’s chief technology and operations officer, is leaving the Salt Lake City-based lender, the bank confirmed Tuesday in a press release.
Smith, who also serves as Zions’ chief information officer, first announced her departure in a Saturday post on LinkedIn.
Smith’s duties will be split: Margaret Mayer, previously the bank’s chief technology officer, will serve as CIO. Meanwhile, Ken Collins, the bank’s chief transformation officer, will add “operations” to his title, the bank and Smith each noted.
“I'm pleased that Margaret Mayer and Ken Collins will partner to run Enterprise Technology and Operations,” Scott McLean, Zions’ president and chief operating officer, said in Tuesday’s release. “Both Margaret and Ken are highly qualified with deep experience in technology and operations and are well-respected throughout our organization and the industry. Their partnership positions us well to continue to be a leader in banking technology.”
Mayer joined Zions in 2023 from Discover, where she served as chief technology officer of consumer banking technology, according to LinkedIn. She began her banking career at Capital One, where she spent 22 years in engineering, consumer identity and messaging, and artificial intelligence, according to her profile.
Collins has been at Zions for more than two decades, holding several roles in the division he’s now co-leading. He became chief transformation officer in November 2020, according to LinkedIn.
McLean, in his statement, also credited Smith for the “lasting impact” she leaves at the bank – “through many significant contributions, including implementing what, among larger banks, is the first-in-the-U.S. modern integrated deposit and loan core banking system; simplifying enterprise-wide practices; modernizing legacy technology and operations systems; and conceptualizing and leading the building of the 400,000 square foot Zions Technology Center, to name a few.”
Smith joined Zions as chief auditor in late 2006, according to a biography on the bank’s website. She had served as technology and operations chief since 2015.
“With a full heart — and after a very tough decision to leave Zions Bancorporation — I want to celebrate the promotion of two outstanding leaders and friends,” Smith wrote of Mayer and Collins. “I could not be more excited to see their continued growth and impact. They are exceptional leaders who care deeply about the long term success of the organization.”
Before her stint at Zions, Smith spent nearly a dozen years at Wells Fargo, working in risk management and IT auditing, according to LinkedIn.
“I leave with deep affection for my teammates and immense pride in what we’ve built together — and with real excitement for what’s next on the horizon for me,” Smith wrote Saturday.
