Prominent SA businessman appointed to bank board

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has appointed prominent South Australian businessman Jim Hazel to its board of directors.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Chairman, Robert Johanson, said the 58-year old banker from South Australia was selected for his strong connection to the Adelaide business community and extensive knowledge of the regional banking industry.

“Jim currently chairs the board of our majority-owned subsidiary Rural Bank and was one of its original directors upon receiving a banking licence in 1998,” Mr Johanson said.

“During the 1990’s he was Chief General Manager of Adelaide Bank and helped guide the bank through many successful building society mergers during this time.

Mr Hazel will step down as Rural Bank Chairman at its next meeting, but will remain a non-executive director.

Mr Hazel currently serves on a range of boards including;

• Director, ImpediMed Limited
• Director, Becton Property Group Limited
• Chairman, Xenome Limited
• Chairman, Gannon Retirement Fund
• Board Member, Council on the Ageing (SA) Inc.
• Board Member, War Veterans’ Homes (Myrtle Bank) Inc.

Mr Hazel said he was looking forward to contributing to the decision making process and sees his appointment as a further commitment to the SA community.

“As a born and bred South Australian, I’m excited to be able to play a role in continuing to grow the profile of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank in our state,” Mr Hazel said.

“Our connections with customers, communities, shareholders and staff will play a key role in that development.”

David Matthews has also been named as a director. Mr Matthews is a farmer and grain exporter from Western Victoria and was a pioneer in the early days of the Community Bank^® network.

He was the first chair of a Community Bank^® company and has served as a director of the Rupanyup-Minyip Community Bank^® Board since 1998.