# Steve Streit

> Steve Streit is the founder and former CEO of Green Dot Corporation and the founder and lead partner of SWS Venture Capital. A former radio programmer, he started Green Dot in 1999 and led it until December 2019. He also founded Patti’s Way, which supports single parents and their children through charitable grants.

- **Role:** Founder and Lead Partner at SWS Venture Capital
- **Organizations:** SWS Venture Capital, Green Dot Corporation (founder and former CEO), Green Dot Bank (founder and former chairman), Patti’s Way, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch (former board member)
- **From:** North Miami, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** University of Florida
- **Known for:** Built Green Dot’s retailer-distributed reloadable prepaid debit card business., Led Green Dot through its 2010 public listing and 2011 transition to a bank holding company., EY National Entrepreneur of the Year, Financial Services, 2011.

## Career timeline

- **Before 1999** — Worked in radio broadcasting as a disc jockey and programming executive.
- **1999** — Founded the business that became Green Dot from his Pasadena home.
- **2004** — Renamed Next Estate as Green Dot Corporation.
- **2005** — Received EY Entrepreneur of the Year recognition in Southern California.
- **2010** — Green Dot went public; founded Patti’s Way in honor of his mother.
- **2011** — Green Dot became a bank holding company through the Bonneville Bank acquisition; won the EY National Entrepreneur of the Year award in Financial Services.
- **2016** — Defended Green Dot’s strategy during an activist shareholder proxy contest.
- **2018** — Established SWS Venture Capital; executive producer credits include Wrestle and Out of Omaha.
- **2019-12-31** — Retired as Green Dot president, CEO and director and moved to an independent advisory role.
- **2023** — Listed as a participant in the New York Fed Innovation Advisory Council’s October meeting.

## Achievements

- Built Green Dot’s retailer-distributed reloadable prepaid debit card business.
- Led Green Dot through its 2010 public listing and 2011 transition to a bank holding company.
- EY National Entrepreneur of the Year, Financial Services, 2011.
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Southern California, 2005.
- Founded SWS Venture Capital and Patti’s Way.
- Executive producer of the 2018 documentaries Wrestle and Out of Omaha.

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — Discussed fintech growth in emerging markets in an AllTopStartups article published March 11.
- **2025-01** — Expressed optimism about fintech opportunities and lower borrowing costs in a January 21 TMCnet article.
- **2024-12** — Offered advice on hiring during startup growth in a December 11 Business Opportunities article.

## Links

- Website: https://stevestreit.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-streit
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Steve_SWS

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-streit
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23