Bank helm changes hands

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 384, 30 April 1991, Page 6

Bank helm changes hands

The Waimarino is good strong country with lots of diversity so although times may be tough at present the area has a good, solid future. ;

This opinion was expressed by Waimarino's Bank of New Zealand managers, old and new. Richard Starke has moved. on to Waikanae to manage the bank's branch there while Craig Swinburne and Paul Rountree have taken his place. Richard's wife Maureen has been at Waikanae about six weeks, having departed her position as teacher in the junior department at Ohakune Primary School. With Mr Starke's departure the branch has undergone a restructuring, with two new positions created. Mr Rountree is responsible for 'relationship banking' which is looking after the larger rural accounts. Mr Swinburne is responsible for personal lending. His title is retail banking executive and he is effectively the branch manager. The two men report to the area manager based in Wanganui. The idea behind the change is to provide better customer service. Customers in the respective areas of banking will now deal with one person rather than be handed from one to another through their dealings with the bank.

Paul Rountree came from Hastings for this new job, having been consumer business manager there alSo. He is originally from Wanganui and has worked around the North Island through his career in banking including a stint relieving in Ohakune in the past. 1 He is single, enjoys golf, tennis and squash. He said he is looking forward to getting involved in community activities both social and business. "I think it is important for local bank personnel to get involved in the community," he said. "I guess you can't help but get involved in a small community like this." While Craig Swinburne was born is Lower Hutt, as he is from a banking family, he has lived in towns all over the country and started his own banking career in Sydney. He is not unfamiliar with the area, having worked at Waiouru for the past eight months. He said it was great to walk to work through snow, though he wonders about being attacked by school children throwing snowballs at , Waiouru Primary School.