I worked at BankWest for 14 years in various customer-facing roles from Teller through to Commercial Banker. I spent the last 7 years of my time there working in Private Banking with my last role being State Director, Private Banking.

One of my clients suggested I look at BOQ and their Owner-Manager model. The moment I did I knew it was for me! The opportunity to be able to look after customers (as I felt they deserved to be…) while building a business for my family and myself, was an opportunity too good to pass up.

As an Owner-Manager I can provide certainty to my clients that I am there for them for the long-haul and that they do not need to reintroduce themselves every time a bank restructures or their bank manager changes. As an Owner-Manager, I genuinely care about my clients and the relationships built.

I had a new client call who had been suffering delays with another bank in regard to their settlement. I was able to meet with this client, provide approval for his loan and settle an interstate purchase for him within three days. It’s helping people in ways like this that I really enjoy!

Owning the branch provides more autonomy and power to become actively involved in local community. The local community is dealing direct with the decision maker. With the pace of life these days customers don’t have time to wait for a middle man to get back to them, but we can help them on the spot!

I have a daughter who loves to swim. Each week I take her to swimming lessons and we often go to local beaches and pools on the weekends with the family. We’re blessed with such great local beaches!

We have two pet goldfish on our counter at the branch who are loved by our team and our customers! Customers remember their names and ask how they are when they come in. The fish don’t remember the customers’ names though – well, I suppose, they are goldfish!