I’m John Kingma, founder of Wheffer.

I partner with banks, credit unions, and fintechs to navigate digital transformation—and build the technology strategies that actually get executed.

Why This Matters

There are fewer than half as many financial institutions today as there were 20 years ago.
And at the current pace, that number will be cut in half again.

Community banks and credit unions are not just financial institutions—they are the backbone of local economies, small businesses, and the communities they serve.

Losing them means losing access, competition, and economic resilience.

My Approach

As an entrepreneur, technologist, and industry outsider, I leaned into banking over 15 years ago with a clear focus:

Help financial institutions compete—and punch above their weight.

Not by copying national banks.
Not by layering on more vendors.

But by building the right foundation:

• Technology that scales

• Security that protects without blocking growth

• Infrastructure that supports real customer adoption

• Strategies that actually get implemented

Proven Under Pressure

For nearly two decades, Wheffer’s philosophy has operated at the intersection of technology leadership and financial services:

• Leading institutions through FDIC, FRB, and OCC regulatory actions

• Building security programs performing in the top 90th percentile

• Designing digital growth strategies behind 2,100% deposit expansion

Proven Success in the Financial Sector

• Digital Banking Strategy: Propelled a client to be named 2025's Fastest Growing Financial Institution. Read more

• Fintech Startup Bits of Stock: Achieved the 2025 Finovate Best of Show Award. Read more

• Fintech Startup Array: Secured back-to-back Finovate Awards in 2021 and 2022. Read more

• Fintech Startup Array: Recognized by Forbes as a "Next Billion-Dollar Startup" in 2021.Read more