James Verraster III (CEO)

Former Head of Mining Finance and Precious Metals Marketing
Standard Americas, Inc.

Jim has been successful in the Metals Trading and Finance Industry for 26 consecutive years.

Jim started his working career in the Precious Metals Division of The Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank (the institution credited with creating  the first commercial-scale precious metals consignment and lease portfolio in the early 1970's). RIHTNB served the US market for industrial gold and silver end-users. Jim was a significant contributor to the growth and development of the RIHTNB precious metals portfolio which in the mid-1980's became the largest of any financial institution in the US and in 1987 he was promoted to First Vice President and Head of Marketing and Business Development for the Precious Metals Division.

In 1989, Jim left RIHTNB to join privately-owned metal trader, Gerald Metals in Stamford , CT. Over the next 8 years, Jim Verraster built niche business's for Gerald, providing innovative finance to the junior and mid-size mining companies, jewelry/dental manufacturers and PGM industrial end-users.

In 1996, Standard Bank approached Jim to create and head up a comprehensive precious metals financing and physical precious metals trading business in their newly opened New York office. He successfully attracted talented and experienced individuals who assisted Jim in making Standard one of the leading banks dealing in precious metals.

BS and MBA candidate in Accounting and Finance at Bryant College , Providence Rhode Island . Jim received a written recommendation from the President of Bryant College and received two meritorious service and leadership awards at his undergraduate commencement ceremony in 1977.

In addition to his business experience, Jim is also a respected public speaker and he has been invited by several industry associations over the years to make presentations on the precious metals industry from both the producer and industrial consumer side of the markets.

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