Movers & Shakers

Merged group unveils new management

Newly merged banks, Auswide Bank and MyState Bank, have marked their first day of implementation by unveiling a new management team.

Brett Morgan, managing director and CEO of MyState Bank, who leads the merged entity, has appointed four general managers to drive growth of the group’s four customer-facing brands: MyState Bank, Auswide Bank, SelfCo (asset finance), and TPT Wealth.

The changes see Tim Newman – previously general manager, lending at MyState Bank – appointed as new general manager of MyState Bank.

Damian Hearne – former chief customer officer at Auswide Bank – is now general manager of Auswide Bank, with former Auswide Bank managing director Doug Snell departing.

Meanwhile, Rob Burden, managing director of SelfCo, will become general manager of SelfCo, while the current leader of TPT Wealth, Matt Pearson, will become general manager for that arm of the group.

LMG bolsters broker support team with new GM

Aggregation group LMG has confirmed the appointment of Katie Modra, as new general manager, service centre and operations.

Modra joins LMG from non-major lender Bank of Queensland (BOQ), where she most recently served as general manager for risk – transformation and operations.

She also spent more than 10 years at major lender National Australia Bank (NAB), where she held a number of roles including general manager, business development – broker partnerships.

At LMG, Modra will lead the broker service centre, focusing on broker support and service delivery.

Cherie Bell, LMG executive finance (CFO) and corporate strategy, said the appointment reflected the aggregator’s commitment to supporting brokers.

“Katie’s deep understanding of brokers’ needs and leading operations functions will help us deliver smarter, faster, and high-quality support,” she said.

Connective promotes exec to expanded role

Major aggregation group Connective has promoted Brent Starrenburg to head of commercial and asset finance.

Starrenburg has led the mortgage, asset finance, and commercial broking aggregator’s asset finance division for the past eight years.

In this new role, he will focus on strengthening broker support, expanding the lender panel and improving commercial loan processes.

The experienced executive joined Connective in 2009 as a sales manager in Victoria. He became a national business development manager at Connective Asset Finance in 2013 before rising to head of Connective Asset Finance in 2017.

Commenting on his new role, Starrenburg said: “Whether you’re an experienced commercial broker or stepping into the space for the first time, my team is here to help brokers seize these opportunities, grow their business, and deliver the best outcomes for clients.”

ABA announces CEO retirement

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is set for a change in leadership with confirmation that long-serving CEO Anna Bligh will be retiring this year.

Bligh is set to pass the baton mid-2025 once a suitable replacement has been found, according to the industry advocacy group. The former Queensland premier has led the ABA since 2017.

Commenting on her decision to retire, Bligh said her role at the ABA had been a “rollercoaster”, but added it had been both “professionally and personally satisfying”.

“Australia’s banks have thoughtful people committed to their customers and it’s been a pleasure to work with them,” she said. “Our banks pull some of the biggest levers in the economy and have enormous impact on people’s lives, so I’ve relished the chance to play a part in improving the system and making a difference.”