Commonwealth Bank

“I was born and bred on a farm. Growing up on the land was an incredible experience – it taught me the value of hard work, community and staying grounded. I’ve owned my own farm and orchards since, and I still love being surrounded by people in rural and farming communities. A moment that’s always stayed with me was when a customer was doing it tough after a death in the family. The whole community rallied – around 50 farmers, service providers and neighbours turned up to help, donating cattle and getting them back on their feet. That kind of spirit is what makes the land so special. Today is National Agriculture Day – a time to celebrate Australia’s incredible farm sector and this year’s theme, ‘Stand with the Land’. For me, 'Stand with the Land' means being there in moments of need, building partnerships, nurturing relationships, and standing alongside farmers through good times and bad. At CommBank, we’ve got amazing bankers across regional Australia doing just that. Nothing makes me happier than helping our customers and being part of their story. Over the years, I’ve seen the industry evolve. Farming hasn’t been without its challenges, but there’s a real sense of optimism again. Seeing young people step up and take on the family business is inspiring, and the way technology continues to improve how we work is incredible to watch. Australian agribusiness is in a good place – strong, resilient and world-leading. We’ll keep facing challenges head-on and standing together through whatever comes next.” Roddy Brown, National General Manager Agribusiness Distribution 

“When I signed up for my first Can4Cancer Sydney Walk this year, it was a big step. I walked in memory of my son, Toby, who passed away in 2020 at just 14 years old. Diagnosed at 12 with a rare form of leukaemia, Toby faced every treatment option with extraordinary courage and resilience. I’d always wanted to take part in this charity event, but for a long time the loss was too raw. This year, I decided it was time to put on a brave face and do something meaningful.  I wasn’t just walking for Toby, I was also walking for several friends who are fighting cancer, including one very dear friend who sadly passed away three days before the walk. I often reflect on Toby’s ability to find joy despite the challenges he faced. Whether it was enduring dreadful traffic to get to Westmead, waiting hours for blood transfusions at Gosford, or sitting in the clinic for treatment, he never complained. Even when hearing bad news from doctors or from us, he would take it in, process it, and carry on with his fight. The support from my walking team, friends, and family has been phenomenal. Raising funds and awareness for cancer research is so critical. Toby had the most advanced treatment available at the time. He was one of the first children in Australia to receive CAR-T cell therapy. It was pioneering, but still in its infancy. Had Toby become ill now, five years later, advancements in treatment mean he would probably have survived. That’s why this matters. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps fund research that saves lives.” Chris Martin Designated Trading Representative, CommSec

“After an 18-year break from finance, I wasn’t sure what returning to the corporate world would look like. During that time, I ran my own business as a freelance French translator - work I truly loved and that allowed me to stay connected to language and learning. But as AI started to reshape the translation industry, I realised it was time to pivot and return to the corporate world for the next chapter of my career. That’s when I found CommBank’s Career Comeback program. From the very beginning, the support and encouragement I received made such a difference. The program helped me rebuild my confidence, update my skills and reconnect with the parts of my professional self I’d missed. Today, I’m proud to be working as a Senior Associate in CommSec Operations, surrounded by a team that values diverse experiences, including those gained outside of traditional career paths. If you’re thinking about returning to work after some time away, my advice is to go for it. You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience. CommBank’s next Career Comeback intake is now open, with opportunities across Private Banking, Agribusiness, Commercial and Property Banking, and Institutional Banking & Markets. Applications close on 10 November, so if you’re ready to take the next step in your own comeback, now’s the time to apply!” Laurence Laveau, Senior Associate, CommSec Operations 

“Every day I get to work with the best designers, engineers and product professionals at CommBank to create digital experiences that we hope customers will love. I joined CommBank as a graduate in 2019 after studying IT and Marketing. Through the recruitment process I learned that my skills were aligned with a career in Digital. It was the best career decision I’ve made!   I feel so fortunate to work on a product that more than 9 million of our customers use. I see the CommBank app as a pocket-sized companion that helps with handling complex financial tasks like planning for bills and budgeting, meaning customers have more time in their life for the things that matter most. Thanks to our amazing team, we’ve been awarded Canstar’s Digital Banking – Bank of the Year Award for the 16th consecutive year and have recently been recognised in their Hall of Fame.” Nikhil Jhala, Senior Product Owner – Digital

“I took a short career break when we migrated to Australia so I could be more present for my family and growing child. What was meant to be a brief pause extended to five years as life unfolded through Covid and the loss of my dad, my biggest supporter. When I was ready to return, I wasn’t sure where to start. Coming back after a long break without local experience or networks felt daunting. I applied for many roles without success, until I came across CommBank’s Career Comeback program. What stood out was how it recognised career breaks and valued the skills and experience I’d built before. Being selected for the program was a turning point. From day one, my mentors and leaders have encouraged and supported me. Three years on, I’m proud of how far I’ve come - regaining confidence, expanding my knowledge, and making a meaningful impact for my clients in Institutional Banking & Markets (IB&M). To anyone considering a return after time away, believe in yourself and take the leap. With the right support, a successful comeback is absolutely possible.” Pooja Sharma, Associate Director - Transaction Banking (IB&M)

“Four hours. 30,000 units of clothing sorted, contributing to 9 tonnes diverted from landfill. 968 people clothed. I’m incredibly proud of my fellow CommBank employees, their children, family members and friends who participated in the recent Family Volunteering Day with our wonderful partner Thread Together. Thread Together take excess new clothing, shoes and accessories from brands and retailers (which would have been destined for landfill), and passes it on – at no cost – to support survivors of natural disasters, First Nations communities, people experiencing homelessness, long-term unemployed, youth at risk, refugees, and other vulnerable members of the community. Giving up their school holiday time, 31 staff and 47 kids and families connected away from home (and their devices!) and participated in a fun and rewarding family activity. ‘Packing with Purpose’, our people sorted and packed clothing and apparel for people in need across Australia. This work will make a real difference and help to create brighter futures for the communities in which we live and work. A sincere thanks to all who participated!” Jacqui Rodgers – Manager, Community Investment – Social Impact & Community. #CommbankLife #ThreadTogether #FamilyVolunteeringDay

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 43 years since I first walked into the Narrabeen Branch as a fresh graduate. On 3 February 1982, I joined CBA through the Graduate Scheme and thinking I’d stay a few years. I never imagined I’d retire here. Back then, graduate rotations were long and diverse. I worked as an Investigating Accountant, a Financial Planning & Costing Analyst, and even a Research Accountant. My time with the Commonwealth Development Bank gave me a front-row seat to the challenges faced by small businesses - a perspective that shaped my approach for decades. In 1991, I joined Group Treasury, diving into prudential management. By 1995, I was managing our relationship with the Reserve Bank’s Banking Supervision Department. When APRA was formed in 1998, I transitioned to leading CBA’s engagement with the new regulator -  this was the start of the type of work I have been involved in for the rest of my career. As I wrap up, I’ve donated three rare RBA ‘green books’ and my trusty HP 17BII calculator to the CBA archives - symbols of a bygone era in banking. Looking ahead, I’m excited to spend more time golfing (aiming for a 14 handicap), cycling, surfing, studying history and climate change, and volunteering with my church. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with. It’s been an honour.” Mike Grinham, Executive Manager APRA and ASIC Portfolio Relationship Team

“I’m a proud Bundjalung and Kamilaroi woman. My journey with CBA began in 2019 through a school-based traineeship at the Plumpton Branch, where I supported customers as a Customer Service Representative. This was my first real exposure to the workforce while still studying in high school. It was a challenging time, especially navigating work and study during the pandemic, but I got through it with incredible support from my colleagues. That role helped me build valuable skills and supported my transition into adulthood. I learned so much about customer service, teamwork, and resilience. Throughout my seven years at CBA I’ve grown so much and met so many inspiring people. Now, having built my skills in a range of different areas across the bank, I’m proud to be Program Coordinator in our First Nations Strategy and Partnerships team. It’s great to be part of an organisation that supports events like the Koori Knockout, which is being held this weekend in Tamworth. The Koori Knockout is a great celebration of First Nations culture, and it makes me proud that it’s CBA’s third year sponsoring the event. If 2019 Christine could see me now, she’d be full of pride. I know I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t put myself out there, built relationships, and embraced every opportunity to grow.” Christine Beale Program Coordinator First Nations Strategy and Partnerships

“Scams and fraud aren’t just numbers on a page, they impact real people, families, and businesses. For me, it’s personal. Many of my family members own businesses, and I know how devastating it would be for them to fall victim to a scam. That’s why I’m so passionate about my role as Fraud & Scams Outreach Manager. Recently, I recorded a Business Email Compromise (BEC) webinar, which is a scam that’s costing businesses billions worldwide. We broke down how these scams work, and shared practical steps business owners and teams can take to protect themselves. Awareness is one of the strongest defences we have. The more people who know how these scams play out, the harder it becomes for criminals to succeed. If there’s one tip I could give to those navigating a world prevalent with scammers, it would be to Stop, Check and Reject. Take a moment before acting on any message, call, or request - especially if it feels urgent or emotional. Stop to pause and think. Check the source using official channels. If something doesn’t feel right, reject it. Trust your instincts, they’re often your best defence.” Georgina Toma Fraud & Scams Outreach Manager #ScamsAwarenessWeek2025

“I joined CommBank as a graduate six years ago, and though my experiences across different tech teams, I’ve discovered a passion for data science. I’m grateful that a decision to work at CommBank led me to a career working with some of the brightest minds. Now, as a Principal Data Scientist, I get to create interesting AI solutions to help improve banking experiences for our customers. At the heart of any career journey at CommBank, you’ll find you’re not only supported, but encouraged, to cultivate a growth mindset and keep up to date with the latest research and technological innovations. It’s this support that helps CommBank keep up with the changing needs of our customers. Earlier this year I spent time at our Seattle Tech Hub, which opened doors to global AI experts who shared invaluable insights. We were able to deep-dive into some of the work we are doing with Agentic AI and hear their learnings and insights from similar projects. It expanded the way we think about creating solutions for our customers and motivated us to continue experiments in this area. My time working in the Seattle Tech Hub, was both inspiring and educational. I’m excited to bring home to Australia what I learnt from this experience, as we continue innovating with AI, working to create innovative solutions that truly benefit our customers.” Bronte Pendergast Principal Data Scientist