Scott Christensen is an accomplished executive leader with more than three decades of experience driving growth, governance, and strategic transformation across banking, financial services, investments, retirement services, and insurance. Throughout his career, he has held executive leadership positions spanning CEO, President, CFO, investment risk management, and actuarial leadership, bringing a unique combination of operational, financial, and fiduciary expertise to complex organizations. His leadership experience includes working closely with boards of directors, regulators, auditors, investors, and executive teams to navigate growth opportunities, evolving regulatory environments, and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of Principal Bank, Scott has led the organization through a period of significant growth and expansion. Under his leadership, deposits increased from $3 billion to $9 billion, annual net income grew from approximately $30 million to more than $120 million, and the bank expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions and innovative business initiatives. He also spearheaded the development of a digital wealth management platform serving retirement customers, which has grown to more than $1 billion in assets under management. His leadership philosophy emphasizes transparency, accountability, disciplined execution, and long-term value creation.

In addition to leading Principal Bank, Scott serves as President of Principal Trust Company, where he oversees a Delaware-chartered trust company responsible for serving as trustee and custodian for retirement plan businesses with approximately $1 trillion in combined assets under administration. He has played a key role in major acquisition and integration efforts, including the acquisition of Wells Fargo’s Institutional Trust and Custody business, while maintaining strong relationships with regulators, auditors, and governing boards. His experience overseeing large-scale fiduciary operations has further strengthened his expertise in governance, risk oversight, and stakeholder stewardship.

Earlier in his career, Scott held leadership positions in investment risk management, finance, and actuarial functions within Principal Financial Group. He helped oversee investment and asset liability management programs for a portfolio exceeding $60 billion, led enterprise risk initiatives, and served as Derivative Oversight Director, reporting to senior leadership and boards on complex investment and risk matters. This broad background provides a rare perspective that integrates strategy, finance, investments, risk management, and organizational leadership.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has earned some of the financial services industry’s most respected professional designations, including Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He is passionate about helping organizations create sustainable growth, strengthen governance, navigate risk, and position themselves for long-term success.