Regional businesses have been able to deliver their message directly to CBA’s Business and Private Banking leaders, thanks to a roundtable discussion held in Toowoomba last week.
CBA’s Business and Private Banking leadership team travelled to Toowoomba on Wednesday 1 May, meeting with local business and community leaders and discussing issues and opportunities unique to the area, and regional Australia more broadly.
Access to banking services, sourcing and retaining staff, mental health issues, and responding to the drought were a few of the subjects covered.
“Becoming a simpler, better bank for our customers means ensuring we are listening to their changing needs and develop a strong understanding of their businesses and what is happening in their local community,” CBA’s Group Executive for Business and Private Banking Adam Bennett said.
“This was an opportunity for a number of our senior leaders to hear first-hand from community and business representatives about what is happening in the region, what is important to them, and how we can best partner to improve the financial wellbeing of our customers and the broader community.
“We have a strong appetite to lend to businesses, so it was also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to supporting business growth and the Australian economy.
“We’re committed to supporting our regional and rural customers and look forward to more leadership team visits and community discussions across regional Australia.”
CBA hosted a roundtable discussion with community and business leaders
Prior to the roundtable, the Business and Private Banking leadership team visited customers across Toowoomba to gain further insights into local businesses.
“Toowoomba is a vibrant growth centre for Queensland, and for Australia and I see it as an innovative regional centre,” said CBA’s Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Grant Cairns.
“There’s a lot of infrastructure investment in the region, it also produces huge amounts of fresh produce that feeds Australia and the world, and there is a significant amount of technology innovation coming out of the area.
“We also know many businesses in the area have been doing it tough with prevailing drought conditions and we are working closely with customers in need to support them through this difficult period.
“Our Customer Advocate team also spends considerable time in regional areas to ensure we are listening to local communities and taking on board feedback to better support our customers, and last week’s visit to Queensland adds to this work.
“We want to hear from our customers first-hand and will continue to look for opportunities to engage and listen to ensure better business decisions and ultimately be a simpler, better bank for them.”
Regional Victoria is the next destination for the Business and Private Banking leadership team, with a visit planned in coming months.
CBA’s Group Executive for Business and Private Banking Adam Bennett and QLD General Manger Regional and Agribusiness Kerry McGowan with FKG Group’s Gary Gardner, Tom Hall and Ben Mendl