Drawing on the success of its Agribusiness model, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has recently launched NAB Government Business. This specialised government banking business unit will offer financial services to Federal and State Government departments and agencies with their combined annual budget of over $335 billion, and the $20.5 billion Local Government sector.
NAB Government Business is headed by General Manager Helen Silver. Moving to NAB earlier this year, Helen Silver previously held senior State and Federal Government positions in a career spanning 25 years. Immediately prior to joining NAB she was Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
“As Australia’s leading business bank, NAB has strong commercial systems ideal for managing the large and complex financial requirements of government,” Helen Silver said. “Our key strength is relationship banking and this is very suited to government. The basis of our relationship model is ‘know thy customer’ and build a partnership around this.”
With ever increasing expectations from residents and the burden of ageing infrastructure, she said that NAB Government Business is very aware of the pressure on Local Government to deliver services in a cost effective manner.
“Local Government has a strong community focus,” she said. “NAB makes beneficial and meaningful contributions to the community in a number of ways. Our three year, $30 million commitment to micro-finance makes us a leading provider of financial services for people on low incomes. In 2006, we provided almost 6,500 volunteer days in the community with an inkind contribution of $1.5 million and an additional $14.1 million for different community activities.
“We prepare an annual and audited Corporate Social Responsibility Report for the public, and encourage employees to actively contribute to their local community.
“Having an extensive network of business bankers on the ground is what Local Governments are telling us they are looking for. As a result, senior bankers have been assigned to each local Council across Australia to work in partnership with them to meet their banking needs. We fully understand that Local Government is required to work within detailed procurement guidelines, uphold probity standards and incorporate risk management procedures across their activities.”
Helen Silver said that the NAB Government Business team of specialist bankers has experience in corporate and business banking to offer top quality advice, and has an appreciation of the often unique environment within which each Local Government operates.
“Our relationship model will provide each Council with a single point of contact,” she said. “This NAB Government Business banker will provide advice on our suite of products, including transaction services and investment, as well as public private partnership opportunities, linking with another of our business units, NAB Capital.”
For further information contact David Brown, Managing Partner Local Government, telephone (03) 8634 2408.
