Lead Counsel, Corporate and Banking
Upstart is seeking a Lead Counsel, Corporate and Banking, to support its proposed OCC-chartered bank by establishing and maintaining corporate governance, board support, and affiliate transaction frameworks essential for a regulated national bank environment. This role involves close collaboration with senior leaders across Legal, Risk, Treasury, Accounting, and Tax departments to ensure the bank operates in an examination-ready, practical, and scalable manner.
Key responsibilities include leading corporate governance support for Upstart Bank, such as preparing board and committee meetings, agendas, pre-read materials, minutes, resolutions, policies, and committee charters. The role also involves advising bank directors, executives, and internal partners on governance obligations, bank structure, director duties, and corporate governance requirements applicable to an OCC-chartered national bank, including managing conflicts between the bank and its affiliates and issues arising from dual-hatted employees. Additional duties encompass providing guidance on the Bank Holding Company Act and related regulatory requirements for the bank’s parent company, Upstart Holdings, Inc., supporting the bank's engagement with primary federal regulators (OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve), and assisting with intercompany agreements and affiliate transaction processes, including Regulation W analysis.
Candidates should possess a J.D. degree and active membership in at least one U.S. state bar, with over 8 years of experience in banking law, bank regulatory, corporate governance, or financial services legal roles at a law firm, financial institution, fintech, or regulated bank. A working knowledge of OCC regulations, the National Bank Act, Bank Holding Company Act, and Regulation W is essential. Experience advising on corporate governance matters for a bank, bank holding company, or other regulated financial institution, including affiliate transaction monitoring and intercompany agreement structures, is required. Additional qualifications include experience supporting OCC examinations, supervisory responses, or other bank regulatory engagement, familiarity with Federal Reserve bank holding company reporting, and the ability to identify and manage conflicts of interest between a bank and its affiliates.
Upstart offers competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly. Retirement benefits include a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually. Comprehensive health coverage is provided, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for U.S. employees, with supplemental health coverage for Canadian employees. Additional benefits include health savings account contributions, income protection benefits, paid time off, sick leave, company holidays, paid family and parental leave, family-centered benefits, employee assistance programs, financial wellness resources, annual wellness and productivity allowances, and various connection and community initiatives.
Upstart is a leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. The company is digital-first, offering flexibility for employees to work from various locations, with offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, and New York City (opening Summer 2026). Upstart fosters a culture of innovation, purpose, and meaningful work, encouraging individuals to tackle significant problems and contribute to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.