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BSB 704-191

Corporate Governance

Executive Management

Our Executive has a deep belief in the important role that mutuals play in serving those who are under-served by others. That belief and sense of purpose is at the heart of everything they do.

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Michelle Bagnall

Chief Executive Officer

B.Bus, MBA, GAICD, FFin

Michelle has been the Chief Executive Officer of Bank First since February 2021 and brings over 25 years of financial services experience in Australia and internationally.

Prior to joining Bank First, Michelle was CEO of RACQ Bank and held senior positions at Suncorp, National Australia Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Insurance Australia Group.

She is a transformation and change agent who is driven by a deep respect for people and passionate about the powerful combination of leadership, partnership and transforming organisational capabilities. Michelle is a member of FINSIA, a graduate of AICD and has completed an MBA and a Business Degree. She has previously held Executive Director positions on the Boards of the superannuation trustee at Suncorp, and the Board of RACQ Financial Planning Pty Ltd.

On a personal level, Michelle directs her energies toward issues related to women, education, equality, inclusion, and empowerment.

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Sunny Avdihodzic

Chief Data and Technology Officer

B. NetComp (Hons) B. Tech (CompSt)

Sunny is the Chief Data and Technology Officer at Bank First and brings more than 20 years of experience in the Australian financial services sector.

He has a deep technical knowledge from his work in senior leadership roles across large-scale digital transformation and integration initiatives.

Sunny is focused on creating exceptional banking experiences that genuinely improve customers' lives. He balances technical excellence with genuine care for people - creating solutions that truly serve Members and their communities.

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Andrew Bartolo

Chief Finance and Operations Officer

B. Bus, CPA

Andrew joined Bank First in August 2024. Andrew has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including senior leadership roles at Defence Bank, RAMS, ME Bank and NAB.

He has a strong record of leading and delivering strategic change initiatives that improve customer outcomes, operational efficiency and business performance.

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Christine Harman

General Counsel & Company Secretary

LLB (Hons), GAIDC, MBA, BA

Christine is the General Counsel & Company Secretary of Bank First,  and is an experienced corporate governance executive, bringing over 25 years of legal, governance, compliance and company secretarial experience across a range of sectors in Australia, including financial services, energy, and sports and events.

Christine joined us in May 2024, and prior to that held senior positions including at Treasury Wine Estates Limited, Cricket Australia, McMillan Shakespeare Limited, and ANZ Banking Group.  Christine is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Tony Linnane

Chief Commercial Officer

B. Sci, B. Eng, Grad Dip London Institute of Actuaries

Tony is the Chief Commercial Officer of Bank First and brings over 25 years of financial services experience to the role. Tony joined Bank First in January 2022 and was most recently responsible for the Product, Digital and Marketing functions before moving into the role of CCO.

Prior to joining Bank First, Tony has held leadership positions in NAB, Mastercard, and ANZ with responsibility for functions ranging from capital management and corporate strategy through to cards, payments and digital banking.

Tony is passionate about creating and delivering innovative products and services that enhance the banking experience for Bank First members.

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Martin Vassallo

Chief Risk Officer

B. Bus (Finance) and MBA

Martin is the Chief Risk Officer of Bank First and brings over 25 years of experience in risk management, financial services and technology in Australia and internationally.

He has held Chief Risk Officer and General Manager Risk and Compliance roles in APRA-regulated major bank and superannuation environments as well as global technology/payment corporations.

He has a strong record of building trust and delivering embedded, highly-effective risk management capability across varied industries with cultural and geographic diversity.

Corporate Governance

As a mutual, our customers are also shareholders. Profits are reinvested into the organisation, to strengthen Bank First and return value to Members.