October 2018 Directors' Column

The opportunity to join the Board of Bank First has come at a perfect time for me as I have recently retired from a long career in education.

My career has included twenty very fulfilling years as a principal, initially in rural schools and then twelve years at Melbourne Girls’ College. I spent the most recent three years as President of the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals. This peak body represents the interests of principals, provides professional support to members and lobbies government to ensure that appropriate resources are provided to schools.

I am delighted to take up this Board position with Bank First as it plays a key role in supporting educators. It was founded by a small group of teachers wishing to provide financial security for Members, in a manner that was consistent with the values of the teaching profession.

I have recently attended my first Board meetings, met with senior management and completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course. These experiences have deepened my appreciation that Bank First stands up well to the highest standards.

The values of Bank First are not lofty aspirations but are evident in all decision making. Care for customers is palpable at the highest level. The original commitment by the founding Members for the organisation to be “of service” has not been diluted and being a mutual bank there is not the distraction of the need to provide dividends to shareholders that seems to have jeopardised the ethical behaviour of larger banks.

Judy Crowe