Teachers Mutual Bank Limited welcomes Andrew Kearnan as new Chair
Teachers Mutual Bank Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Deputy Chair, Andrew Kearnan, as its new Chair. Andrew succeeds Maree O’Halloran, who signalled at the bank’s 2024 annual general meeting her intention to step down from the role following 15 years of dedicated service, including the past five as Chair.
Andrew is a highly respected financial services leader with a career spanning 35 years. He has held senior roles with Commonwealth Bank, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. He is currently Chair of UniMutual Limited and PetSure Australia, and has held Director roles at RACQ and Hollard Insurance, among others. Andrew’s deep commercial expertise in banking, insurance, and investment sectors positions him well to guide Teachers Mutual Bank into the future.
Andrew has grown up alongside family who were primary and secondary school teachers, and with relatives and close friends now working in health and emergency services, so has a strong personal connection to the industries the bank serves. This reinforces his commitment to Teachers Mutual Bank Limited’s mission and its members.
“I have seen first-hand the incredible contribution our educators, health professionals, and emergency service personnel have to our local communities,” Andrew said. “Stemming from these relationships, I am driven to ensure that Teachers Mutual Bank Limited remains sustainable in the long term, continues to serve our members’ and their unique needs and challenges, and provides the banking services our members need today and will want in the future.”
Retiring Chair, Maree O’Halloran, has been instrumental in leading Teachers Mutual Bank Limited through significant organisation milestones, including several mergers, the global pandemic, and transitioning in a new CEO. Most recently, Maree played a key role in negotiating the Memorandum of Understanding for the proposed merger with Australian Mutual Bank Limited, announced late last year.
Reflecting on her tenure, Maree said: “I have been a director of the bank for 15 years, with the past five as Chair and it has truly been an honour to serve our members.
“With Andrew taking the role as Chair, I look to the future with optimism that the bank will continue to adapt, grow, and evolve to provide the service our members expect and deserve.”
On his appointment, Andrew acknowledged Maree’s service, and commented that he is focussed on delivering Teachers Mutual Bank Limited’s purpose through the refreshed strategy.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we sincerely thank Maree for her leadership and committed service to the bank.”
“Today Teachers Mutual Bank Limited is one of Australia’s largest mutual banks and has one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the nation. I am energised by the many opportunities ahead of us, and I’m committed to delivering on our purpose of banking for good, for those who do good.”