Karthik Sridharan knows how much a college student can benefit by working on real-world business problems. He still recalls the knowledge and experience he gained in his senior year project at Temple University, as he pursued dual degrees in business administration and management information systems.
He worked with students from the science and medicine programs to build a database-driven solution for Temple University Hospital to safely track and dispose of radioactive chemotherapeutic waste.
“At that time, the hospital did not have the systems or technology. It didn’t exist yet. We wrote the code, and they used it for a few decades.”
His subsequent career in banking—which includes roles at Citi, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America—was fueled in part by that practical learning. He joined the IBIT Advisory Board to ensure Temple students continue to have such opportunities.
“I have a passion for not just technology, but also for Temple, and seeing the university continue to advance and grow and create and shape young minds.”
In particular, he wanted students to be able to tackle “challenges with financial literacy and banking in the modern era,” he says. He committed Fulton Bank to an IBIT industry partnership with the goal to benefit the university and the company, which he joined in 2023. Fulton Bank acquired assets of Republic First Bank in 2024, nearly doubling its presence in greater Philadelphia and southern New Jersey.
“We are a financial institution that cares a lot about our community. We use technology to change our customers’ lives for the better and be their trusted advisors, and it’s a great time for technology and banking to really flourish. As an IBIT partner, we can gain insights and potential talent from Temple. The sky is truly the limit.”