High-calibre exec joins broker team

A former manager at Bankwest and ME Bank has been announced as the new head of broker distribution at a mutual bank.

Most recently based in Perth, Stewart Saunders was the general manager strategy, risk and governance at Bankwest. He also spent nearly three years there as general manager, broker sales.

Before that, Saunders spent more than three years as the national manager brokers for ME Bank in Melbourne, as well as working in funding and liquidity, and financial market analysis roles.

He has a Bachelor of Banking and Finance from QUT and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School.

Saunders takes over the role from Michael Trencher, who left Heritage to set up his own coaching and advisory consultancy.

Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock welcomed the appointment.

He said, “The mortgage broker channel is extremely important to Heritage in meeting our growth ambitions going forward and we are delighted to have secured such a high-calibre executive to lead our broker team.

“Stewart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the broker channel, and in banking generally, and will be a great addition to our team.”

Saunders began the new role on Monday (22 October) and will now be based in Brisbane.