Leadership

Mr. Collins served as the President of New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) from 2001 to 2004, which was the largest commodities exchange in the world. During his tenure as President, NYMEX launched Clearport Clearing, the first commercially successful OTC clearing platform. Dubai Mercantile Exchange was founded by NYMEX under Mr. Collins’ leadership.

During his time at NYMEX, Mr. Collins brought the exchange into a new era of electronic trading and increased the market-cap from $600 million to $2.7 billion within 3 years (amidst the 9/11 attacks, Enron bankruptcy and largest power outage in U.S. history). Additionally, he led the exchange to an initial S & P credit rating of A++ and its recognition by Energy Risk Magazine as the 2004 “Exchange of the Year.” In 2008, in partnership with NASDAQ, Mr. Collins launched a new clearinghouse, the International Derivatives Clearing Group, which was later sold to LCH. Clearnet Group.

Mr. Collins is an active entrepreneur and respected FinTech professional currently involved in successful ventures such as Matrix Global, the first crude oil storage auction platform. He has also launched an incubator initiative to utilize innovative solutions such as digital currencies and blockchain technology to improve infrastructure development, physical logistics, financial trading and exchange clearing.

Mr. Wyman has over 20 years of experience in traditional capital markets technology and crypto-asset technologies. He has a proven track record of driving innovation, strategic planning, and execution to advance corporate goals and support business strategies. With a unique blend of managerial, technical, and operational expertise, he is a change catalyst who has successfully transformed visions into reality in start-up and Fortune 500 environments.

In addition to his technical expertise, he strongly focuses on aligning technology with business goals, driving cost efficiencies, and building high-performing technology teams. He has a track record of generating revenue through cross-selling technology, expanding trading capabilities, and launching innovative products and services. He has also been instrumental in driving regulatory compliance, ensuring security protections, and preserving funds while controlling budgets.

Mr. Wyman studied computer science at Iona University and the University of New Haven.

Mr. Lafontaine is an experienced corporate, regulatory, and transactional attorney. Prior to joining Mercantile Bank International Corp., Mr. Lafontaine was an Associate General Counsel at Noble Bank International LLC, where he provided counsel to the executive team on banking/financial institution regulation, regulatory affairs, compliance, corporate governance, and transactional matters.

Mr. Lafontaine started his legal career in the Corporate Department of one of the foremost law firms in Puerto Rico, Ferraiuoli LLC, where he advised private investment funds, investment advisers, and financial institutions on federal and local financial regulatory matters. In addition, he counseled start-ups and mature companies in private capital raising efforts, M&A transactions with a particular focus on due diligence efforts, entity structuring and corporate governance.

Mr. Lafontaine received his Juris Doctor and his BBA (Finance), both Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Puerto Rico. Mr. Lafontaine served as Editor-in-Chief of the UPR Business Law Journal (Volume III). In addition, Mr. Lafontaine is an alumni of the Aspen Music Festival & School (ESARI Program) for classical music recording.

Mr. Granato is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) Specialist and has over sixteen years of executive-level experience managing compliance and AML functions, including as Chief Compliance Officer for the StoneX Group, a Fortune 100 financial services company specializing in global payments, commodities, foreign exchange, and clearing & execution.

Mr. Granato also served as the Senior Compliance Manager for the Dubai Mercantile Exchange, where he directed the rebuild of the Exchange’s entire AML program.

Mr. Granato also worked with Bank of America as a Vice President for OTC Derivatives Compliance/AML. In that role, he managed the AML/Compliance Market Surveillance function for Global Rates, Commodities and Currencies. He also monitored corporate, financial, and institutional sales and trading activity to detect violations of rules, regulations, and firm policies (BSA, FERC, FINRA, OCC, OFAC, USA Patriot Act).

Mr. Granato is recognized for developing an on-line “Know Your Customer” application process for compliance with the USA Patriot Act, which was referred to as a “gold standard” at the time and still in use today. In addition to being a recognized expert in BSA/AML compliance matters, Mr. Granato has fluent knowledge of regulatory complexities in global markets, risk management audits, and technical systems supporting derivatives transactions.

Mr. Granato’s education includes a BS Degree in Biology/Psychology from Charter Oak State College, New Haven CT.

Mr. Samborski serves as MBI’s Law Enforcement Liaison, managing strong relationships with law enforcement agencies, including the DOJ, FBI, HSI, DEA, NYPD, AUSAs, and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. He has established and managed internal investigation programs, lead highly sensitive investigations, identified trends from various systems, and developed recommendations based on investigatory conclusions and analyses.

Mr. Samborski is dedicated to ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and BSA/AML. Mr. Samborski comes from an extensive background with the NYPD, where his role included; Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Detective Squad {Washington Heights, Upper East Side, Forest Hills), Investigator in Detective Bureau, Manhattan North Narcotic Division, Brooklyn North Narcotics Division, Organized Crime Control Bureau, Anti-Crime Unit/Undercover, Community Patrol Officer Program, Patrol, and Neighborhood Stabilization Unit.