Former ASB high-flyer James Mitchell has been appointed project manager of a plan to merge the banking services of Pyne Gould Corporation, Canterbury Building Society and Southern Cross Building Society.Mr Mitchell's appointment is to oversee the evaluati
Former ASB high-flyer James Mitchell has been appointed project manager of a plan to merge the banking services of Pyne Gould Corporation, Canterbury Building Society and Southern Cross Building Society.
Mr Mitchell’s appointment is to oversee the evaluation of a merger between the three financial institutions to create a New Zealand-owned banking group, which was announced early June.
Mr Mitchell has been with ASB Bank for 11 years and was chief executive relationship banking. He was also the general manager of ASB’s online banking service BankDirect.
Previously, Mr Mitchell worked for ANZ.
His appointment follows the creation of a provisional project board which includes PGC chairman Bruce Irvine as chairman, PGC managing director Jeff Greenslade, CBS chairman Gary Leech and SCBZ chairman Geoff Ricketts.
Mr Irvine said Mr Mitchell’s experience and understanding of the banking environment made him a perfect candidate to project manage the merger evaluation process.
“He will be initially responsible for overseeing the various work streams required to complete the evaluation, prepare a merger implementation agreement and seek necessary approvals,” he said.
Assuming approvals are granted, Mr Mitchell would manage the integration of the three businesses.
