Chris Fry, Chief Executive Officer of IBA

Welcome to Issue seven of Inspire.

Most of us are inspired by stories of courage, and I have witnessed this in many of IBA’s customers who are exploring and creating economic opportunities for themselves, and expanding their personal choices and horizons.

In this issue of Inspire you’ll meet Donna Piper who, struggling to understand the complexities of home finance, found the courage to say ‘I don’t understand’. Through asking for help, Donna now feels confident to share her financial literacy with friends, and has inspired her children to explore home ownership as a choice for themselves.

Meanwhile the Grant family in far north Queensland, though battered by a recent cyclone and downturn across the tourism sector, are committed to building a family business that will provide a platform for sharing and preserving their land and culture.

And you’ll meet the dynamic Aaron and Claire Hills who, by challenging their thinking and in being prepared to make some tough decisions, are ensuring their business continues to grow, evolve and provide the autonomy and lifestyle they so value.

Of course, such courage and confidence can be easier to summon if you feel you have strong pillars of support beneath you. So it is gratifying and encouraging to observe just how many of our customers are able to rely on their relationship with our front line staff to provide one such pillar. Our staff are committed to keeping their customers front of mind in every transaction. Through encouragement and advice we support Indigenous Australians to achieve their goals, and move toward economic independence.

I look forward to sharing more inspiring stories with you in the next issue of Inspire in 2012.

Chris Fry
Chief Executive Officer
October 2011