New deputy chairman for Australian Bankers' Association

Sydney, 31 July, 2009: The Council of the Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) has elected David Liddy, Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Queensland, as the new Deputy Chairman of the industry organisation.

Mr Liddy succeeds Stuart Davis, the former Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Australia. Mr Davis has been appointed CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in India.

Chairman of the Australian Bankers’ Association and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Bank, Ralph Norris, said: “We know that David will play an important role in the industry discussions on regulation. Banking is constantly and rapidly evolving and changes in practices and regulation across the world can also affect Australia.”
 
“We need to continue to ensure that regulatory developments which are designed to fix problems overseas are not just duplicated in Australia. After all, our banks have fared well in this global financial crisis.”

Mr Liddy agreed and said: “I welcome the opportunity to continue this important regulatory work because a strong, stable banking system is essential to our economic growth and resilience. And it’s not the only recent crisis in which Australia has fared well. The Australian economy was able to avoid the worst of the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and a key reason for that was the strength of our banks.”

“I am pleased to take up the position of Deputy Chair because the ABA works to maintain an environment in which all its members can prosper, and can contribute to the prosperity of Australia. I thank Stuart for his contribution over four years as Deputy Chair.”

Mr Davis said: “I have enjoyed working with the ABA as it has played an important role leading public debate in Australia and worked with the Government and community to produce sound public policy outcomes. There is still more work to be done and I am confident that the ABA will maintain this momentum under the incoming Deputy Chair David Liddy.”

For further information:

Heather Wellard
Director, Public Relations
Phone: 02 8298 0411
Mobile: 0409 830 439
           
ENDS