Curve appoints Samsung executive to new role of Chief Operating Officer

Nathalie Oestmann is credited with helping launch Samsung Pay in a number of markets.

UK digital banking platform Curve has appointed a former Samsung executive, who helped launched its mobile wallet service, as its first Chief Operating Officer.

Nathalie Oestmann, previously Head of Samsung Pay Europe, takes on the role of Chief Operating Officer at Curve this week. Oestmann helped launch Samsung Pay in six countries.

Oestmann, who has also previously worked at American Express, will report into Shachar Bialick, founder and CEO of Curve.

"I feel at this stage Curve needs somebody of my experience," said Oestmann, who said she was impressed by the "breakneck" speed that Curve was growing.

Curve, which launched in 2015, links up different banking apps, meaning that users can track payments from several different cards at once or decide which bank card they want to pay with using the Curve card or contactless payments on their phones.

Earlier this year, it raised $55m (£44m) in a Series B funding round, meaning that it has raised a total amount of more than $75m (£61m), valuing the startup at around $250m (£203m).

In her role at Curve, Oestmann will be tasked with "executing the strategy developed by the leadership team" with a focus on internal operations to ensure the business is working "in harmony".

The appointment comes as Curve plans for its expansion in Europe and the US in 2020.

"The company’s vision of moving banking to the cloud is both unique and powerful and it provides its customers with a compelling value proposition with minimal behavioral change,” said Oestmann.

“My primary objective at Curve will be to ensure we realise our full potential as we take the company into our next chapter of growth.”

“Nathalie's industry experience and track record make her the ideal choice to propel the team forward as we progress in our mission to move banking to the cloud and accelerate our growth" added Bialick.