Hire signals ongoing focus on business lending and broker support
Non-major bank ING Australia has named Amanda Tay (pictured top) as its new head of SME, marking a leadership change as the bank seeks to expand its presence in the small business lending sector.
Tay brings nearly two decades of experience in banking, specialising in SME leadership and business transformation. Most recently, she led the business banking division at IMB Bank, where she was responsible for growing the portfolio, broadening the SME product suite, and improving both customer and credit processes. Her previous roles include head of small business NSW & ACT at NAB, where she managed teams through periods of strategic and digital change.
“I’m excited to join ING at such a pivotal time for SME banking,” Tay said. “ING’s strong brand, digital capability, and values-driven culture make it uniquely positioned to grow in the SME space. I’m looking forward to helping shape a proposition that’s bold, customer-focused, and built for scale.”
Now Australia’s sixth-largest mortgage lender, ING has been ramping up its business offering, updating its lending criteria to improve access for a wider range of small and medium-sized enterprises. The bank has also raised loan-to-value ratios for all commercial property loans, restructured its sales and origination procedures, and invested in technology to accelerate approval times.
“We’re broadening out our offering, meaning more brokers can take advantage of it,” said Hein Wegdam, head of business banking at ING Australia.
He indicated that further changes are planned, including a range of SME deposit products that will be available to brokers to sell. Wegdam also emphasised the importance of brokers in ING’s business-lending strategy. “We see brokers as being a vital partner in helping to connect us to more small businesses, helping us to build our business bank,” he said.
Despite current market challenges, Wegdam remains confident in the bank’s approach. “More than 95% of businesses in Australia are SME and they contribute greatly to Australia’s economy,” he said. “As with any sector, there will always be highs and lows but our decision to ramp up our business offering reflects our long-term view of the SME lending market’s potential.”
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