Banking News

ING Bank Australia Announces new CEO

(30 October 2020 – Australia) ING’s current head of retail bank, Melanie Evans, will be promoted to the role of CEO of ING Bank Australia following the departure of current CEO Uday Sareen as he moves to Europe to head up wholesale banking for ING MENA (Middle East, Africa and Europe).

The incoming CEO has spent her entire career in financial services, having started as a cadet at St George Bank in 1995 before joining Westpac’s equities business in 2000. After a move to BT Financial Group in 2003, she spent a decade in product, brand, marketing, superannuation, platforms and investments leadership roles before returning to banking within the Westpac Group as a chief of staff. Ms Evans has helped build up the lender to become Australia’s fifth-largest customer bank, with a six per cent customer market share.

“As ING’s new CEO in Australia, my focus will be to drive the bank’s growth and diversification agenda. I will continue to prioritise our customers and team members. Our history as Australia’s first fintech, most recommended bank, a trusted brand and for doing things differently will remain front and centre. We’re proud of what makes us a modern bank. We exist for our customers – so they can focus on the things that matter to them” the incoming CEO stated.

“Uday will be leaving a highly successful, customer-focused bank with an excellent workplace culture. ING is now one of Australia’s most trusted brands. Mr Sareen was always ambitious in his agenda for Australia and had delivered the results overseen strong growth in ING’s wholesale banking activities in Australia. We congratulate Uday on his new appointment and wish him continued success. It’s been a privilege to have worked with Uday. He will be leaving behind a very different bank to the one he joined in 2016.”

“I’ve been proud to lead a bank that’s ramped up the competitive spirit in both retail and wholesale banking, offering a real alternative for Australians. While we are a leading digital bank, it is the commitment of our people to our customers and each other that makes ING so special and what I will miss most. ING Australia is one of the fastest-growing banks in Australia and continues to be a great opportunity for ING Group” Mr Sareen commented.

“Melanie is a very experienced banker with a proven track record who will continue to drive ING’s growth and diversification agenda. Her appointment is testament to all that Melanie has achieved for the retail bank and its customers” commented ING’s chair, Dr John Laker AO.