Small business lender OnDeck Australia has appointed Chris McCall (pictured) to the newly created role of chief credit officer. The move adds a senior credit specialist to its executive team as the lender continues to grow.
McCall joins from Citizens Bank in New York, where he was head of credit and pricing for consumer lending. He has also held senior roles at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Capital One, and OnDeck US. His background spans pricing, credit modelling and analytics, and risk governance.
OnDeck Australia CEO Cameron Poolman said McCall's grasp of both traditional banking and technology-led lending would help as the business refines its credit strategy. He added that McCall already understands the business and its goals.
"Bringing that expertise in-house strengthens our senior risk capability," Poolman said.
OnDeck said the role reflects its focus on disciplined growth, ensuring its lending strategy and ongoing investment in technology and automation are backed by robust governance and careful credit decisions.
Poolman said the challenge is keeping lending quick and easy for small businesses without loosening credit standards or customer protections.
The appointment comes as demand for business loans climbs. National business loan enquiries rose 11.3% year on year in August 2026, according to Equifax Business Market Pulse data.
McCall said data, technology, and automation are changing how small businesses borrow. In his view, the promise of digital lending depends on using data to build a full picture of each borrower, asking for more when the data falls short, and keeping decisions under close watch.
"Understanding how Australian small businesses think and behave is critical for designing lending experiences," McCall said.
He said his overseas experience would inform both OnDeck's approach and the broader Australian market.
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