TONY AVELING TO RETIRE Sydney, 11 April, 2000:The Chairman of the Australian Bankers' Association, Mr Frank Cicutto, today announced that Chief Executive, Mr Tony Aveling, had informed Council that he would be retiring after the Association's Annual General Meeting in May. Mr Cicutto said that Mr Aveling had a long and distinguished career in banking before taking up his current position in 1997. "During his time with the Australian Bankers' Association, Tony has always acted professionally and in the interests of all member banks as his focus", Mr Cicutto said. Mr Aveling said that the timing of his retirement from executive life was right for both professional and personal reasons. "We recently commenced a review of the ABA which will position it for further success in a rapidly evolving financial services environment and to build on the significant regulatory gains already achieved. The ABA should then have a Chief Executive who can commit for a number of years, while after 37 years in the workforce I will be looking forward to a more balanced lifestyle" Mr Aveling said. Mr Aveling said he would remain to assist with the completion of the review of the ABA before moving on. "I will miss the people", he said "in particular the excellent staff with whom I have worked over the years. I thank the two ABA Chairmen for whom I have worked, Bob Joss and Frank Cicutto, both of whom have provided outstanding leadership to the industry, and the many bank Chief Executives and their staff who have given me their strong support and encouragement." For further information contact: Heather Wellard ABA PR Phone: 02 8298 0411 Mobile: 0409 830 439     ENDS April 11, 2000 03/00