David Hisco, CEO of ANZ Bank New Zealand, has confirmed he'll be staying in the job and that he wants ANZ to "become New Zealand's best bank."
Speaking to interest.co.nz late last month after ANZ issued its annual results, Hisco said his three year contract as CEO had expired but he expected to stay on.
In a note sent to ANZ staff late yesterday Hisco said ANZ Group CEO Mike Smith and ANZ New Zealand chairman John Judge had asked, and he, his wife and sons had agreed, for him to remain in the job.
"It was a very easy decision to make because we love New Zealand," Hisco said. "This is a job that I’ve invested much time and emotion in, and we have a great team across the country that I enjoy working with."
In his three years on the helm of ANZ NZ the group has merged the ANZ and National banks onto one IT platform, as well as culling the popular National Bank brand. He has also moved the bank's New Zealand head office to Auckland from Wellington in a push to win more business in Auckland, whilst ANZ NZ has posted record annual profit for three straight years.
"What we did during the New Zealand simplification phase of our strategy – simplifying the management structures, customer approvals processes, products, brand and technology systems – demonstrated to me we have people across the country that feel the same as I do about our business – and that’s the sort of people I want to work with; you," Hisco wrote.
"As a company we’re doing really well and I want to stay on the journey to see us become New Zealand’s best bank," he added.
"I’m up for that challenge and want to work with all of you to achieve it. That’s why I want to stay on. It helps, too, that my family and I get to live in this great country for longer, a nation that has a lot going for it. I’m even learning your lingo!"
"Thanks for a great three years to date and here’s to the next few," said Hisco.
Hisco, who previously had a stint as managing director of UDC, ANZ NZ's finance company between 1998 and 2000, succeeded Jenny Fagg as CEO in September 2010. An Australian, Hisco has worked for ANZ for more than 30 years. Immediately prior to his current job, he was ANZ's commercial group managing director based in Melbourne.
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