Francois Cote

Enthusiast
DISC Type : i

Executive Vice President, Chief Business and Growth Officer - Chef des Affaires et de la croissance at Fairstone Bank

Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area, Canada

Overview

With over 20 years of experience in personal lending, Francois Cote is the CEO and founder of Fig Financial and an EVP at Fairstone Bank. He is focused on disrupting the Canadian market with a fully digital lending platform that blends startup agility with corporate stability. He holds a degree in Business Management from Oulton College.

Francois is passionate about fostering the next generation of business leaders, serving as a board member for JA Canada and an advisor to the Holt FinTech Accelerator. He actively organizes events to build and strengthen the FinTech community in Toronto, demonstrating a commitment to industry growth and mentorship.

He founded Fig, a FinTech company uniquely backed by both a major bank, Fairstone, and Koru, a venture studio owned by Ontario Teachers Pension Plan.

Personality Overview

Non-Confrontational

Consensus Focused

Optimistic

They are more about building relationships than just cutting deals.  Unlike D or C types, they are convinced more by stories and testimonials. They agree with others often, so exercise caution when relying on their word.

Topics They Care About

FinTech Disruption
As the founder of Fig, his stated mission is to provide a fully digital "true alternative to banks" for personal lending in Canada.
AI for Growth
He is actively hiring leadership talent skilled in leveraging AI to drive revenue and operational efficiencies within his new venture.
Corporate Innovation
He leads Fig, a startup that uniquely combines the agility of a new venture with the resources and stability of Fairstone Bank and the Koru venture studio.

Media Appearances

Francois has no verified media appearances

Work History

9-2025
Executive Vice President, Chief Business and Growth Officer - Chef des Affaires et de la croissance at Fairstone Bank
3-2022
Chief Executive Officer at Fig
8-2018
Advisor Fintech Accelerator at Holt Accelerator
7-2019 - 4-2022
Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Fairstone
4-2017 - 4-2022
Chief Digital and Strategy Officer at Fairstone

Education

Business Management from Oulton College

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 14 Location : Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area, Canada Job Level : Leadership Designation : Executive Vice President, Chief Business and Growth Officer - Chef des Affaires et de la croissance at Fairstone Bank
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Insights For Selling To Francois

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Compliment them about their personality if you get a chance
  • Give them the opportunity to lead the conversation where possible
  • Invite them for a lunch or a drink/coffee

DONT's

  • Don't be critical or challenge them openly, they can react defensively
  • Don’t be excessively objective, be like a storyteller with them
  • Avoid overloading them with too much information

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Francois is

  • Relationships and rapport matter to them, but so does the value of the product.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Francois

  • They probably won't say no directly.


Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Francois move?

  • They are not the ones to make fast decisions, even while they stay committed.
  • Can Francois take some risk or not?

  • If it seems really necessary, they can take small risks.

You And Francois

Personality Compatibility


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