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The former chief information officer of Qudos Bank has been appointed as the new CIO of the SME lender.
SME lender Metro has appointed David Bridges to the newly created role of chief information officer (CIO).
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Bridges, who started in January of this year, now heads the development and delivery of technology strategies.
Bridges previously served as the CIO for Qudos Bank for 16 years, where he led the bank’s launch of its digital banking app and its lending origination platform and established the bank’s cyber security and IT risk management framework.
Prior to his time as CIO, Bridges was the digital transformation program director and information service manager at Qantas Credit Union (now Qudos Bank).
The announcement of the new CIO appointment comes after Metro apologised to brokers in February this year after an IT ‘incident’ left it unable to originate new loans.
The IT issue stemmed from the lender’s major shareholder, mortgage and asset lender Balmain, which experienced an IT issue that affected several of its platforms, including Metro’s broker platform.
Metro said the new CIO’s role is focused on strengthening the lender’s data security capabilities and leading Metro’s technology team in planning technology strategies to “continuously improve Metro’s loan platforms and capture a greater market share as the industry grows”.
Metro chief executive and founder Phillip Crossman said: “The appointment of David to our executive team indicates the commitment that Metro has given to its cyber security and risk management framework.
“David will also be central to Metro’s continuing improvement to its processes and technology to deliver efficiency benefits and a superior broker and customer experience.”
Bridges also said on his appointment: “Metro has the capabilities and open-mindedness to push the technology envelop. I will use my experience working to the ADI standards to uplift and mature Metro’s technology, while also having the freedom to be innovative, which is important in a competitive market.
“We want to continue increasing the user-friendliness and efficiency of our lending platforms for customers and brokers.
“That means making it easier to find information, apply for loans and to get faster turnaround on loan applications. This will support our growth and help expand our market share.”
[Related: Metro apologises for delays following IT ‘incident’]
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