Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

New Deputy Chair appointed to ABA Council

18 September 2024

Today the Australian Banking Association Council has appointed Melanie Evans, CEO of ING Australia, as its new Deputy Chair.  

The Council thanked the outgoing Deputy Chair, Marnie Baker, for her outstanding leadership during her tenure as Deputy Chair since 2019 and throughout her 35 years in the banking industry.  

Ms Evans said she was honoured to accept the role at such an important time for the industry. 

“The ABA plays a critical role in driving positive change in the industry, and to ensure customers’ interests continue to remain at the centre of policy development.  I look forward to continuing this important work with ABA members and the broader ABA team,” Ms Evans said.  

“I’d also like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Marnie Baker, who has been an outstanding Deputy Chair, and in particular, for her work in championing a more competitive industry.” 

ABA CEO Anna Bligh congratulated Melanie on her appointment and said she looked forward to working closely with her during her tenure.   

“I look forward to the important role Melanie will play in helping to lead the ABA Council to ensure the banking sector continues to put customer needs first,” Ms Bligh said.    

Ms Bligh thanked Marnie for her time as Deputy Chair and as CEO of Adelaide and Bendigo Bank and said she had been a trusted and respected voice around the ABA Council table.  

“Marnie has been a champion for the banking industry, especially when it comes to representing the important issue of proportional regulation for mid-tier banks, ensuring they can remain competitive in Australia,” Ms Bligh said.  

Contact: Benn Ayre | [email protected] | 0428 342 325 
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | www.ausbanking.org.au 

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on News24 with Laura Jayes
1 October 2026

E&OETV InterviewInterview on News24 AM Agenda1 October 2026 Topics: Card surcharging ban; Interest rates; Refinancing Laura Jayes: Well credit card, any card surcharges are banned from today. I know customers will be happy. Small business, though, they’re not so sure. Joining me live now is the Australian Banking Association Chief Executive, Simon Birmingham. Simon, great… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on FiveAA Adelaide with Stacey Lee and Jonno Edwards
1 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview on FiveAA Adelaide1 October 2026 Topics: Card surcharging ban Stacey Lee: Well, speaking of budgets, everyone’s are tight at the moment and they might get a little bit tighter from today because card surcharges have come to an end. It’s the first of October. It’s a deadline on a whole lot of things,… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview on ABC Adelaide with Sonya Feldhoff and Spence Denny
1 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview on ABC Adelaide1 October 2026 Topics: Interest rates; Hardship support from banks; Card surcharging ban Sonya Feldhoff: Simon Birmingham is the CEO of the Australian Banking Association. He’s also a former SA senator and finance minister. So, all of these things have been very much in his purview for a long time. Simon… Read more »

Read more