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Over the years, FinTech has been greatly influenced by a multitude of specialists. However, few make an impact quite like Thomas Priore. As the CEO and also the Executive Chairman of Priority Technology Holdings, Priore is a reputed FinTech entrepreneur, and one of the few that actively works to merge conventional finance with revolutionary payment services.
While in investment banking, and upon spearheading as the one among the top 50 small cap companies in the US per a 2025 Forbes listing, one can note Thomas Priore to be embodying great resolve, as well as great drive and vision to transform business payment and banking systems.
This article will delve into Thomas Priore’s background, career achievements, innovations in Fintech, visionary leadership, and the most frequently asked questions on his work and the legacy of Priority.
Who is Thomas Priore?
Founded with his brother in 2005, Priority Technology Holdings now has Thomas Charles Priore as CEO and Executive Chairman. Priore combined a financial background with an MBA from Columbia University to launch a company based on financial knowledge and entrepreneurial energy. One of it Among the most major non-bank payment processors in the United States.
Serving more than 800,000 customers including major corporations and small businesses, Priority Technology Holdings now handles over $115 billion annually.
. Priore’s mission has always been simple:
👉 “Make payments and banking easier, faster, and smarter for businesses of all sizes.”
Thomas Priore’s Early Career and Education
- Education: Graduated from Harvard University, MBA from Columbia University.
- Investment Banking: Began career in structured finance, managing billions in assets.
- Entrepreneurship: Founded an asset management firm before moving fully into fintech.
These initial experiences gave him a special edge: he knew how capital moved through companies and how technology might help to simplify that flow.
Founding Priority Technology Holdings
When Priore co-founded Priority in 2005, his vision was clear:
- Eliminate outdated, paper-based financial systems.
- Provide unified commerce platforms for payments and banking.
- Build a scalable solution for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Within just 22 months, Priority reached positive cash flow—a milestone many startups struggle to achieve in years.
According to Billions Success, Priore’s leadership has always been about combining customer-centric innovation with strategic acquisitions, ensuring Priority remains at the forefront of fintech.
Recognition and Achievements
Forbes Recognition (2025)
In 2025, Forbes named Priority one of America’s most successful small-cap companies. The company ranked No. 45 on the list, with:
- $852M+ annual revenue
- 112% stock return in 52 weeks
- Market cap of $756M
This recognition reflects not just financial growth but also Priore’s vision of scalable, future-proof fintech solutions.
(Source: Forbes coverage via The Boss Magazine)
Thomas Priore’s Vision for Fintech
Priore’s philosophy is simple yet powerful:
💡 “Cash acceleration and working capital optimization are the lifeblood of every business.”
Under his leadership, Priority has developed products such as:
- Passport: A unified commerce engine for businesses to collect, store, and send money.
- CPX: A B2B payments platform automating accounts payable.
- MX Merchant Suite: A one-stop hub for billing, sales tracking, and customer engagement.
These solutions don’t replace banks but enhance traditional banking services, offering businesses modern efficiency while maintaining strong banking relationships.
Strategic Acquisitions and Growth
Priore’s growth strategy has always involved smart acquisitions and partnerships.
- Finxera (2021) → Expanded banking solutions.
- Plastiq (2023) → Enabled clients to use credit cards for working capital.
- Rollfi (2025) → Added payroll and benefits solutions.
Each acquisition has strengthened Priority’s ability to offer end-to-end financial solutions, making it a one-stop platform for businesses.
Leadership Style and Insights
Thomas Priore emphasizes:
- Adaptability → Anticipating changes in fintech and regulation.
- Resilience → Learning from early entrepreneurial mistakes.
- Team Empowerment → Trusting leadership teams to execute strategy.
- Customer-Centricity → Building solutions that solve real business problems.
One of his favorite quotes sums up his journey:
“No virtue in the world is so often rewarded as perseverance.” – Calvin Coolidge
Who is Thomas Priore CEO?
Thomas Priore is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of Priority Technology Holdings, Inc., a leading payment technology company. He has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth through innovative payment solutions and strategic leadership.
Who is the CEO of Priority Tech?
thomas charles priore is Priority Technology Holdings’ CEO. Leading the company from its early phases, he is still committed to providing integrated commerce and payment solutions for companies in many industries.
Who owns Priority Technology Holdings?
A publicly traded NASDAQ-listed company under the ticker PRTH, Priority Technology Holdings, Inc. is owned by its members. Among important stakeholders are institutional investors, private investors, and company insiders. Chairman and CEO Thomas Priore is also one of them.
What is Thomas Priore known for?
Recognized for turning Priority into one of the biggest non-bank payment processors in the country, processing over $115 billion yearly.
What is thomas charles priore educational background?
He graduated from Harvard University and earned his MBA from Columbia University.
How has Priority grown under Thomas Priore’s leadership?
Priority achieved Forbes recognition as a top small-cap company in 2025, expanded globally, and launched innovative fintech platforms like Passport and CPX
Does Priority replace traditional banks?
No. According to Priore, Priority’s role is to collaborate with banks, enhancing their services with advanced fintech tools, not replacing them
Conclusion
The narrative of Thomas Priore is one of vision, resiliency, and the capacity to change in a fast changing industry as well as about fintech. His leadership at Priority shows how strategic execution, customer focus, and innovation can create a business that changes an industry totally as well as succeeds financially.
Thomas’s financial technology is still developing all around. Still a main figure to follow, Priore is a businessman who shows how foresight and tenacity can transform the direction of business.
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