Amy Seintourens

Where Community Values Meet Fraud Prevention:
Amy Seintourens Leadership Story

Amy Seintourens’s career path exemplifies determination, flexibility, and values-driven leadership within the ever-changing financial services sector. In her role as Senior Vice President and Director of Fraud Management at TowneBank, she has built a career defined by consistent growth, ongoing education, and a strong commitment to safeguarding both customers and financial institutions. With more than thirty years of experience, Amy’s journey illustrates not only her personal development but also the growing complexity and significance of fraud management in contemporary banking.

Amy began her career in April 1994 as a customer service representative at Dean Witter, now known as Morgan Stanley. Starting at the frontline of customer interaction gave her invaluable insights into the importance of trust, communication, and responsiveness in financial services. Those early years helped her understand that banking is not just about transactions—it is about relationships. Through hard work and determination, she advanced within the organization, eventually becoming a project manager. This progression allowed her to develop strong organizational, analytical, and leadership skills, laying a solid foundation for her future roles.

In March 2009, Amy made a significant career transition by leaving Morgan Stanley. After a brief period, she joined EverBank in February 2011, stepping into the fraud department, a move that would shape the next phase of her professional life. This shift marked her entry into a highly specialized and increasingly critical field. During her time in fraud management, she gained hands-on experience in identifying suspicious activities, investigating complex cases, and implementing preventive measures. The exposure to real-world fraud scenarios deepened her understanding of financial crime and highlighted the need for proactive and adaptive strategies.

Amy continued to expand her expertise when she transitioned to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Department in Miami in June 2017. This role allowed her to gain deeper knowledge of regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) requirements, and the broader risk management framework within financial institutions. Her experience in both fraud and BSA functions provided her with a well-rounded perspective on financial crime prevention, enabling her to connect operational practices with regulatory expectations.

TowneBank’s story itself is rooted in vision and community values. The institution began with a bold dream in a modest two-car garage in Portsmouth, Virginia, where its founders laid the foundation for what would become a thriving community-focused bank. From the very beginning, TowneBank was built on principles that emphasized recruiting exceptional talent, fostering a family-like workplace culture, engaging local board members, and delivering outstanding member service. This strong cultural backbone has remained central to the bank’s identity and growth over the years. For Amy, joining an organization with such deeply embedded values provided the perfect environment to contribute meaningfully and align her leadership approach with a mission centered on people, trust, and community impact.

Creating a lasting community asset has always been central to TowneBank’s founding vision—one that continues to guide its purpose today. Through strong support for nonprofit organizations and local initiatives, TowneBank actively contributes to a wide range of causes dedicated to uplifting lives and serving others. This enduring commitment to community engagement reflects the bank’s belief that meaningful success is measured not only by financial performance but also by the positive impact it creates.

A new chapter began in July 2018 when Amy joined TowneBank’s BSA Department in Virginia, following her relocation due to her husband’s career move. Bringing with her years of experience, she quickly recognized an opportunity for improvement within the organization’s fraud management structure. At the time, fraud-related activities were handled in a decentralized manner, often siloed across different departments. Amy envisioned a centralized fraud unit that could unify processes, improve communication, and enhance overall efficiency.

Her vision was both strategic and forward-thinking. In an era where financial fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, having a centralized and coordinated approach is essential. Amy’s idea gained traction, and in October 2022, TowneBank established a centralized Fraud Department. She was chosen to lead this initiative, marking a defining moment in her career. From the outset, Amy focused on building a strong, cohesive team capable of addressing a wide range of fraud-related challenges. Under her leadership, the department has grown from just four members to eleven, including a newly added case investigator. This growth reflects both the expanding scope of fraud management and Amy’s ability to scale operations effectively.

Amy’s leadership style is rooted in empowerment and a genuine commitment to people. She believes that a successful organization is built on the strength of its individuals, and she strives to create an environment where team members feel valued, supported, and motivated. Her people-first mindset is evident in her approach to leadership. She encourages open communication, fosters collaboration, and provides opportunities for professional growth. By empowering her team, she ensures that each member can contribute meaningfully to the organization’s goals.

Guiding her leadership are core values such as integrity, courage, and a people-centered vision. These principles influence every decision she makes, from strategic planning to day-to-day operations. Amy understands that in the field of fraud management, ethical decision-making is paramount. The ability to act with integrity, even in challenging situations, is critical to maintaining trust and credibility. She consistently demonstrates transparency, honesty, and accountability, setting a strong example for her team.

Amy’s work aligns closely with TowneBank’s mission of serving others and enriching lives. She places a strong emphasis on creating clarity and consistency within her department. By establishing standardized procedures and clear guidelines, she ensures that her team can operate efficiently and confidently. Collaboration is another key aspect of her approach. Amy actively works to break down silos and encourage cross-functional teamwork, recognizing that effective fraud prevention requires input from multiple departments.

Preparedness and coordination are essential components of fraud management, and Amy places significant importance on emergency protocols and contingency planning. She works closely with various departments to ensure that procedures are clearly defined and consistently communicated across the organization. In the event of an incident, the effectiveness of these protocols is evaluated through thorough reviews. By analyzing how well teams adhered to procedures and identifying any gaps, Amy ensures continuous improvement and strengthens the organization’s resilience against future threats.

Maintaining high ethical standards is a cornerstone of Amy’s leadership. She leverages TowneBank’s employee handbook and code of conduct as guiding frameworks, reinforcing a culture where doing the right thing always takes precedence over financial gain. Amy leads by example, demonstrating fairness, integrity, and courage in her actions. Her commitment to ethical practices not only fosters trust within her team but also enhances the organization’s reputation among its customers and stakeholders.

One of the most distinctive features of Amy’s fraud department is its diversity. The team comprises individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds, including retired law enforcement officers, a trauma nurse, frontline banking staff, and specialists from deposit operations. This diversity extends to age as well, with team members ranging from 22 to 60 years old. Amy views this diversity as a significant strength. Different perspectives and experiences enable the team to approach problems from multiple angles, leading to more effective solutions. She encourages open dialogue and idea-sharing, creating an environment where innovation can thrive.

As TowneBank continues to expand its presence across multiple regions, including Hampton Roads, Central Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, through its integration with Dogwood State Bank, maintaining consistency in service and culture is a key priority. Amy plays an important role in ensuring that fraud management practices remain uniform across all locations. Through comprehensive training programs and adherence to standardized procedures, she helps maintain a consistent level of service. This consistency is critical in building and sustaining customer trust, particularly in the area of fraud prevention.

While Amy is not directly involved in cross-selling financial services, her work plays a crucial role in supporting the bank’s overall customer experience. By ensuring the security of transactions and protecting customer assets, her department creates a safe and reliable banking environment. This foundation of trust is essential for any financial relationship and contributes to long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Staying connected to the needs of the communities TowneBank serves is another important aspect of Amy’s role. She collaborates with the marketing team to stay informed about local developments and emerging needs. This awareness allows her to align fraud prevention strategies with real-world challenges, ensuring that the bank remains responsive and relevant. Understanding community dynamics also helps in identifying potential risks and tailoring solutions accordingly. Amy is also deeply committed to mentoring and supporting the next generation of leaders, particularly women in the field of fraud and risk management. She encourages aspiring professionals to be confident, to question authority when necessary, and to embrace collaboration. Building strong relationships with colleagues, law enforcement, technology teams, and frontline staff is essential for success in this field. Amy emphasizes the importance of transparency, fairness, and customer protection as guiding principles for anyone looking to make an impact.

She openly discusses the challenge of imposter syndrome, a common experience among many professionals. When she was first appointed to lead the Fraud Department, she experienced moments of self-doubt, questioning whether she truly belonged in the role. However, through perseverance and the support of her team and leadership, she was able to overcome these feelings. Her experience serves as a reminder that self-doubt is a natural part of growth and that confidence can be built over time.

A key piece of advice that has shaped Amy’s leadership approach is to hire people who are smarter than you. She has embraced this philosophy by building a team of highly skilled and capable individuals who challenge and inspire one another. This approach not only strengthens the department but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation. Amy believes that when you surround yourself with talented people who support and uplift each other, there is no limit to what can be achieved.

Beyond her immediate responsibilities, Amy continues to look toward the future of fraud management with a proactive mindset. As digital banking expands and fraudsters become more sophisticated, she recognizes the importance of leveraging technology, data analytics, and ongoing training to stay ahead of emerging threats. She encourages her team to remain curious, adaptable, and committed to learning, ensuring they are always prepared for new challenges. By fostering a culture that embraces change and innovation, Amy is not only strengthening her department but also contributing to the long-term resilience and success of TowneBank.

Besides, Amy believes that strong communication and continuous feedback are essential to sustaining high performance within her team. She regularly engages with her team members to understand their challenges, recognize their achievements, and provide guidance where needed. This consistent engagement builds trust and ensures alignment with departmental and organizational goals.

Empowering Teams: Driving Innovation in Fraud Management Leadership