ANZ Bank to give new digital exec a seat at the top table

ANZ Bank has created a new executive role to lead the group's digital efforts, and will give its new hire a seat at the top executive table with CEO Shayne Elliott.

Shayne Elliott

Elliott, who has been in the role for just a month, today announced a sweep of changes to his management team, including the creation of the new group executive of digital banking role.

An appointment is expected before the end of February.

ANZ's current digital team is split throughout different business divisions, with digital staff reporting variously through Wealth, Australian, and New Zealand division executives.

The technology team, including CIO Scott Collary and CTO Patrick Maes, report into chief operating officer Alistair Currie.

The new digital executive role will bring the bank's disparate digital efforts under one umbrella. ANZ digital managers including Peter Dalton and Pam Rebecca will report into the new hire.

Elliott called digital "the future" of the banking industry, and said it was crucial for ANZ to get the executive appointment right.

The the successful candidate will take control of the bank's digital customer solutions, including its long-awaited mobile wallet, which is expected to launch early this year. ANZ spends around $1.2 billion each year on technology initiatives.