About
Mr. Fairbank is the founder, CEO and Chairman of Capital One and one of just a few founder-CEOs among America's largest public companies. In 1987, he founded Capital One on the belief that data and technology could change how banking works.
He has been CEO since the Company's initial public offering in November 1994 and Chairman since February 1995. Most recently, he led the Company's 2025 acquisition of Discover, positioning Capital One to compete as both a diversified bank and lender and a global payment network. Prior to Capital One, he earned his BA and MBA from Stanford University and worked as a strategy consultant.
Per Capital One’s official investor site, prior to Capital One Mr. Fairbank was Vice President and head of the banking practice at a national strategy consulting firm.
Roles
Capital One Financial Corp.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer · Current role
1994–present
Strategy consulting
Strategy consultant · Advised leading companies on long-term business strategy and growth opportunities before founding Capital One.
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National strategy consulting firm
Vice President and Head of the Banking Practice · Prior to founding Capital One, advised leading companies on long-term business strategy and growth opportunities.
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Fixed Compensation
FY 2025
Change in pension value & NQDC earnings
$10,831
All other compensation
$133,277
Performance Compensation
Data from FY 2025
Cash incentive
Deferred cash bonus (2025 performance, awarded Feb 2026)
$6,700,000
Stock awards
Financial Performance Shares (granted 2/4/2025; target 91,296 shares)
$18,250,144
TSR Performance Shares (granted 2/4/2025; target 11,244 shares)
$2,376,532
Cash-settled RSUs (2/4/2025; 24,986 units, 2024 performance year)
$5,000,198
Cash-settled RSUs (2/4/2025; 12,493 units, 2025 performance year)
$2,500,099
Stock-settled RSUs (6/3/2025; 76,675 units, Discover-Related Special Award)
$14,999,930
Cash-settled RSUs (6/3/2025; 76,676 units, Discover-Related Special Award)
$15,000,126
Also at Capital One Financial Corp.