Brian Barnes’ B2 Bank Pursues a National Digital Strategy with New Leadership
Fintech entrepreneur Brian Barnes, the owner of B2 Bank, is restructuring its senior leadership team to further its national digital banking strategy. The Minnesota-based community bank, which Barnes acquired in 2021, has installed a new CEO and two other senior executives, all of whom have previously held leadership roles at Climate First Bank.
B2 Bank’s New Leadership Team
B2 Bank, located in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, announced the appointment of Ryan Jaskiewicz as its new CEO. Joining him in the C-suite are Chris Cucci, who will serve as president, and Chris Van Buskirk, who takes up the role of chief credit and risk officer. This strategic shakeup is a part of Barnes’ vision for the bank to become a national leader in the realm of digital banking.
Jaskiewicz, Cucci, and Van Buskirk all bring with them valuable experience from their time at Climate First Bank in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jaskiewicz served as the president of structured finance, Cucci acted as the chief strategy officer, while Van Buskirk was the chief credit officer.
Speaking about his new role, Jaskiewicz stated, “I was intrigued by the strategic vision for the bank. B2’s plans will allow us to reach a nationwide audience in a way that we are passionate about.”
B2 Bank’s Growth and Challenges
Since Barnes’ acquisition, B2 Bank has witnessed a remarkable growth trajectory, doubling both its assets and deposits. Barnes, who is also the founder of the digital wealth management platform M1 Finance, acquired B2, formerly known as the First National Bank of Buhl, in 2021. His aim was to strengthen his M1 operation and position B2 as a premier banking-as-a-service provider.
However, the bank has also faced regulatory hurdles. In November 2023, amid tighter regulatory scrutiny of partner banking operations, the bank entered into a formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC identified weaknesses in the bank’s management and internal controls, and asked for improvements in strategic planning and affiliate risk management. The enforcement action was subsequently lifted in September 2025.
Background of the New Executives
Before joining Climate First, Jaskiewicz founded 12Five Capital, a Chicago-based commercial finance firm, in 2006. He ran the firm until it merged with Breakout Capital in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2023.
Cucci, on the other hand, has a background in commercial banking, having worked with major banks like JPMorganChase and Wells Fargo. Prior to his stint at Climate First, he served as senior vice president of commercial banking at SouthState Bank Corp in Winter Haven, Florida.
Van Buskirk is a seasoned community banking professional. He was involved in the founding of two Florida-based institutions, Florida Choice Bank in Mount Dora and First Green Bank in Orlando, before joining Climate First.
Expressing his excitement about the new role, Van Buskirk said, “Credit is the foundation of any great bank, and B2 Bank has the right environment to build a credit culture that’s both disciplined and growth-oriented.”
With this new leadership team, B2 Bank hopes to achieve its ambitious goals of becoming a leading digital bank on a national scale. The experiences and expertise of the new executives will undoubtedly be critical in this journey.
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