BankWest today announced the appointment of Michael Kettle as State Manager WA for its Rural and Regional business division.
Announcing the appointment, National Head of Rural and Regional Jamie Ritchie said BankWest would continue to focus on growing its rural and regional business and reinforcing customer commitment through enhanced support structures to Managers.
"Michael is an ideal candidate for this role and with more than twenty years experience in commercial and international banking, including regional experience; he's well placed to further grow our rural and regional portfolio."
Mr Kettle said he was looking forward to the challenges ahead and providing a solid management structure that would allow for the growth he had planned for the portfolio.
"BankWest has a long history in rural and regional Western Australia and considerable expertise in the agribusiness and commercial sectors," he said. "It is my role to ensure that we provide our Managers with the necessary support so as to enhance what will always be our primary focus, the continued strengthening of relationships with our customer base."
Mr Kettle has previously worked for the Commonwealth Bank, Intesa Bank Ireland plc, National Irish Bank and more recently BankWest, where he was State Manager for Portfolio Enhancement within the Business division in Western Australia.
"I'm very excited to be leading such a dedicated team in Western Australia which is doing so much to drive competition and change in the agribusiness market," Mr Kettle said.
Mr Kettle's appointment comes after longtime BankWest rural and regional stalwart, Jim Watson, retired.
Jamie Ritchie said Mr Watson was well respected in the rural and regional community in Western Australia and BankWest wished him well in his retirement.
"Jim starts his well earned retirement caravanning around Australia with his wife," Mr Ritchie said. "He was a very well known figure in the community and managed the business through good times and bad."
Mr Kettle said BankWest was in a very strong position in Western Australia with the strength of HBOS Australia and HBOS plc in the UK behind it.
"This gives BankWest Rural and Regional the backing, knowledge and expertise to offer innovative, cost efficient and competitive business accounts and loans," he said.
