Port Fairy & District Community Bank branch manager Ashley King is looking forward to dusting off his golf clubs as he begins retirement this month.
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Mr King will retire on Friday from the role he has held for the past four years, handing over the reins to manager Julia O’Neill.
Mr King joined the steering committee to help raise capital for the new bank when he was asked to consider applying for the top job.
The branch opened in June 2014 with business worth about $40 million pledged to support the community bank.
Watching the business grow to having more than $100 million of banking business and related financial services has been a highlight.
Mr King said the branch had established a good customer base and had plenty of scope to continue to grow its business: “Being able to be a part of the initial development and growing the business, seeing the community embrace the opportunity for the community bank to deliver its full potential have all been highlights,” he said.
Mr King said the Port Fairy community embraced the new bank model: “The benefits that it brings to our community and the potential for that to have ongoing benefits is a really motivating factor to be involved.”
Mr King will continue to help the company’s board of directors and be an advocate for the community bank model.
Mr King and his wife Mandy will move to Port Fairy after living in Warrnambool for almost 45 years. He also he plans to get back into golf after taking time out due to an Achilles tendon injury.
“I’m looking forward to dusting off my golf clubs and seeing if the swing’s still there,” he laughed. “I’m looking forward to being more engaged in my role as the president of the Port Fairy Football Netball Club and there are some other community organisations I’m interested in and looking to be involved to support the good work they do.”
He welcomed Ms O’Neill to the role which she took on five weeks ago and said she and her team would deliver exceptional customer service and continue managed growth of the business.
“Julia brings a high level of banking experience to the role and has a passion for community engagement.”
Ms O’Neill worked at South West Credit for three years and spent eight years at the Bendigo Bank branch in Warrnambool. She said she was excited about the role and it was an honour to be selected. She is looking forward to continuing working with the Port Fairy community.
“We’ve got a new team of very good specialists in all areas, business, home lending, insurances, retirement needs and everyday banking.”
