Employee Spotlight with Fadi Pola
At Enable Banking, we believe that technology thrives when paired with trust and empowerment. Few stories illustrate this better than that of Fadi Pola, whose path from a small village in Iraq to the heart of Europe led him to become a vital part of Enable Banking’s growth and innovation.
In this Employee Spotlight, Fadi shares how he discovered Enable Banking, his experience growing from an SDR to a business representative, and why data privacy, ethics, trust, and learning are the cornerstones of his daily work.
Watch Fadi’s full story below to see how he’s helping businesses across Europe thrive while staying true to his principles.
A Journey Rooted in Resilience
Fadi’s story begins far from the world of fintech. Growing up in Northern Iraq, his life was disrupted by conflict, forcing him to become a refugee. It was through a chance encounter that he was encouraged to attend an interview for a scholarship program.
“At first, I thought it was a scam,” Fadi recalls, “but I went, did the TOEFL exam, and ended up getting a scholarship to study Business Administration in LCC International University, Klaipėda.”
After graduation, Fadi applied for a venture-capital-backed program that trained him in sales and placed him in innovative companies. A single mention of APIs during an interview introduced him to Enable Banking and the rest, as they say, is history.
“University was life-changing, but working at Enable Banking has been an even bigger journey,” he says.
Learning, Growth, and Support
Fadi emphasises that Enable Banking’s management team invests deeply in people. From recommending books like Factfulness to providing constructive guidance, the mentorship he received accelerated both his professional development and personal confidence.
“They taught me everything I know about being a businessman and how to grow in a tech-enabled finance environment,” Fadi explains.
Starting as a Sales Development Representative, Fadi learned the intricacies of payments, banking technology, and time management, all while navigating the challenge of following up with potential partners without feeling intrusive.
“I don’t like to describe myself as working in sales,” he admits. “It was a milestone learning how to represent the company in person and manage time effectively.”
Embracing Open Banking and Privacy
Fadi’s fascination with open banking grew from personal experience with financial apps and his interest in streamlining financial processes.
“Open banking allows data to move securely without interfering with the business. That aligns with my values,” he explains.
He highlights the broader impact of open banking: enabling efficient account-to-account payments, reducing processing fees, and opening doors for innovation across Europe. Recently, his team achieved 300,000 successful payments in a month, demonstrating the tangible value of their technology.
“The best part is that we handle customer data extremely responsibly. Our clients know their customers’ privacy is protected, and that builds trust.”
A Culture That Inspires
Fadi credits Enable Banking’s growth-focused, supportive culture for his continued motivation.
“I can ask the same question 20 times, and my team will explain it again. Surrounding yourself with smart people who support you — that’s been the peak of this journey,” he says.
He also emphasises the freedom to be creative, proactive, and authentic, which contrasts sharply with past work experiences.
“The company encourages us to be ourselves as long as we show up, do our job, and ask questions when needed.”
Beyond the Office: Planting Trees
Outside of fintech, Fadi is on a mission to plant a million olive trees through his project, Toti: The Olive Tree Initiative. Combining his economic knowledge with environmental impact, he partners with local farmers to ensure sustainable growth and long-term benefits.
“Europe opened so many doors for me, and now I want to give back in a meaningful way,” he shares.
Fadi’s story shows how resilience, mentorship, and trust in a supportive environment can transform a career and a life. At Enable Banking, we’re proud to have team members like Fadi, whose creativity, determination, and values drive innovation while keeping privacy and ethical responsibility at the forefront.
