Bankwest

Some people make an impact quietly, consistently and with genuine care. Karina Price is one of those people. We're incredibly proud to see Karina, our Senior Manager Community & Customer Vulnerability, recognised with the Make A Difference Award at the SOCAP Australia Symposium. She has dedicated much of her career to improving experiences for customers facing vulnerability, working alongside colleagues, community organisations and others across the industry. As Karina puts it: "I'm incredibly honoured to receive this award. Supporting customers experiencing vulnerability is something I'm deeply passionate about, and meaningful change only happens when people come together. This recognition reflects the commitment of so many colleagues, community partners and industry peers who work every day to create more inclusive and compassionate customer experiences." Congratulations, Karina.

As we mark NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, we asked Frances McKenna to share what the week means to her. Frances, Chair of our reconciliation network, Koort Waangkiny, reflects on her own reconciliation journey, what she’s learned along the way, and why leading this network matters so much to her. Koort Waangkiny means “heart stories” or “our hearts are speaking.” It brings together colleagues who care deeply about reconciliation and are committed to learning, connecting and taking meaningful action. We’re proud of the role Koort Waangkiny plays in helping us listen more deeply, stay curious, and keep moving forward together. 

Students from Murdoch University’s CodeCrush program joined us at Bankwest Place to explore the possibilities of careers in tech and STEM, giving young women the chance to get hands-on, connect to industry and picture what a future in tech could look like.   During their visit, the students heard from our technology team and recent grads about their own career journeys, before jumping into an interactive UX workshop. From design thinking to wireframing, they got a real feel for what it takes to bring an idea to life.   As Luke McKenna, Executive Manager of Engineering, shared: “One of the most rewarding parts of working in technology is seeing people discover what’s possible. Programs like CodeCrush help young people connect their interests and creativity with real-world careers, and that’s critical if we want to build a strong and diverse technology workforce for the future.”

In support of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), some of our team spent time at Community Aged Care Expos, connecting with customers and having conversations that really matter, from building digital confidence to staying safe online and recognising the signs of financial elder abuse.   Amee Mitchell, Senior Customer Engagement Consultant (pictured in the first photo) said helping customers feel more confident and secure when managing their finances is one of the most rewarding parts of their role.   “Attending the Aged Care Community Expos give us the opportunity to connect directly with people and make a genuine difference. We get to share our knowledge, raise awareness, and help protect some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It’s especially valuable to educate customers that we’re here and available to support them, particularly following our transition to a digital bank. Reassuring customers of our continued presence, while providing guidance on staying safe and confident with their finances, helps build trust through meaningful, face-to-face conversations.”   We also hosted an online session, Planning for the Future, alongside the Office of the Public Advocate, creating space for people to learn, ask questions and feel more prepared for what’s ahead (in picture 2, Karina Price, Senior Manager Community and Customer Vulnerability). And to show our support, Bankwest Place was lit up in purple - a small but visible reminder of the importance of protecting older Australians.

We’re really lucky to have people at Bankwest who genuinely care about making a difference, especially when it comes to supporting those impacted by domestic and family violence. Last week, Sarah Nelson and Jeremy Andrews from our Customer Care team attended the DART Institute Australia Inc seminar, Perpetrator-focused Capability: System Response and Accountability, hosted by Bankwest. It brought together people from across government and community organisations to have honest conversations about how we can better recognise harmful behaviour and respond in a way that keeps victim-survivors safe. For Sarah, the experience was an important reminder of why this work matters: “It was powerful to see leaders recognising the same gaps we see every day. It gave me confidence the right issues are being heard and reinforced why this work matters - supporting safer outcomes and real change. I’m passionate about this space because it’s work that really matters. It’s about advocating for people and being part of changes that lead to better outcomes for individuals and communities.” Jeremy reflected on both the challenges and what continues to drive him: “One of the biggest challenges is how hard it is to share information across services, which can mean people have to retell their story multiple times. But it was encouraging to see that across sectors, people understand what needs to change and are pushing for better outcomes. That’s what drives me, being able to advocate for people when their voice is exhausted, and to help improve the systems that are meant to support them.” It’s one of the many ways our people lean into what they care about and keep pushing for better outcomes for the communities they’re part of.

It’s now been four years since we launched May By Us, our mega month of volunteering focused on giving back to our communities. This year during May By Us, our people spent 1,750 hours+ supporting causes ranging from lending a hand at wildlife conservation centres and supporting Little Things for Tiny Tots, to cooking meals and preparing care packs for kids and families in need. Bronwyn Terrenzani, Broker Development Manager (pictured in the second photo), reflected on her experience this year:  “Monday morning felt even more meaningful, volunteering alongside my Bankwest team at Ronald McDonald House. Baking muffins might seem like a small gesture, but seeing the incredible support they provide to families was a powerful reminder of how much giving our time can mean to the community.” And while May shines a spotlight on giving back, Bankwest’s year-round volunteer program means our colleagues can continue supporting the causes and communities that matter most to them during any month of the year. 

Property decisions are some of the biggest financial decisions our customers will make, but finding clear, reliable property information can take time and effort. A new feature in the Bankwest App has been designed to help solve for exactly this. Customers can search for properties and access estimated values and key details, right where they manage their money. Which means less time searching, and more time getting on with other things. As Lauren Cowan, Product Owner, puts it: “At Bankwest, we build with our customers in mind and how we can help make their everyday financial decisions easier. Property is one of the most significant financial commitments most people will make, yet insights about its value are often fragmented or overwhelming. By bringing property estimates directly into the Bankwest App, we’re giving customers clear, easy‑to‑understand insights in the place they already manage their money. It’s another example of how we’re using technology thoughtfully, helping customers build confidence today, while laying the foundations for more useful property tools in the future.”

Two decades in tech is no small feat, and Lea Cairns’ career is a great example of how that can take shape at Bankwest. From managing the rollout of BlackBerrys to our teams back in 2007, to helping develop our tech graduates, her journey reflects the range of opportunities to grow and evolve here.

We’re on the hunt for our next intake of Engineering Graduates. Our Engineering Graduates work on real projects that impact customers across Australia, while learning from some of the best engineers in the industry. You’ll rotate across teams, build in world-class tech environments, and grow your skills. If you’re a final-year student or recent graduate ready to do meaningful work early in your career, apply now. We’d love to hear from you: https://lnkd.in/gkFCqSgB

Welcoming our 2026 Tech Graduates. They're already diving into real projects, growing their skills and getting a feel for life in tech beyond uni. Hear what some of them are most looking forward to 👇 Cameron MacKinnon I Sean Phay I Siva Ezh I Niamh Wilson