Former HSBC UK executive joins regional's leadership team as it eyes further growth in consumer and digital lending
Bendigo Bank has appointed Christopher Dean (pictured) as chief customer officer as the regional heavyweight looks to sharpen its digital offerings and simplify customer-facing processes for its 2.9 million customers.
Dean joins Bendigo Bank from HSBC UK, where he held several senior positions including managing director, head of retail banking, wealth and mortgage distribution. He also spent 14 years at Barclays in leadership roles across the bank's consumer and business divisions.
His move comes as HSBC's Australian arm undergoes its own restructuring, following the announcement of Blackstone's acquisition of HSBC's entire Australian mortgage book.
Digital transformation focus
Bendigo Bank chief executive officer Richard Fennell said Dean's experience leading large branch networks and driving growth, while delivering enhanced risk outcomes, made him well suited to the role.
"Christopher's expertise will be instrumental in improving our customer-facing processes, sharpening our digital offerings and ensuring we deliver simpler, more intuitive banking to our 2.9 million customers," Fennell said. "Christopher will be responsible for overseeing the Bank's consumer and retail businesses, with a focus on growing the business through the continued delivery of exceptional service."
Dean touted Bendigo Bank's history of innovation, including its Community Bank model and the launch of digital bank Up, as well as the recent rollout of the Bendigo Lending Platform and enhanced digital onboarding capabilities.
"I'm excited to build on Bendigo Bank's proud past and I'm looking forward to accelerating the Bank's digital capabilities so we can serve our retail customers better and build even deeper, more meaningful relationships with them."
He will be based in Melbourne and officially assumes the role in September, when Adam Rowse resumes his position as chief customer officer, business and agribusiness.
