Sarah Mehrtens Appointed a Senior Fellow of Finsia

Sarah Mehrtens Appointed a Senior Fellow of Finsia

The Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) has acknowledged the contribution of New Zealander Sarah Mehrtens to the financial services sector by appointing her a Senior Fellow of the institute. The title is the highest professional credential conferred by Finsia.

Sarah was chief executive of the New Zealand Bankers’ Association from 2009 to December 2011 and general manager of Interchange and Settlements Limited. She now works as an independent consultant assisting public and private sector organisations on projects involving changes in strategy, governance, policy, legislation, products, and corporate structure and operations.

Her former roles have included senior legal counsel at the National Bank of New Zealand (now ANZ National Bank of New Zealand Limited), and banking and finance lawyer with Rudd Watts and Stone (now Minter Ellison Rudd Watts).

Finsia’s chief executive Russell Thomas said, ‘Sarah has made a significant contribution to legislative policy development and the operational application of legislation for New Zealand’s financial services industry. This appointment recognises the contribution she has made to both Finsia and the wider financial services industry.’

Sarah has a LLB and BCom (majoring in economics) from the University of Otago and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in 1990.

Her policy work at the Bankers' Association included the Personal Property Securities Act Working Group, Electronic Transactions Act Working Group, Business Law Reform Bill Working Group, Landonline Working Group, Credit Information Privacy Code Working Group, Consumer Credit Review Working Group, Advances and Lending Working Group, and the Code of Banking Practice Working Group.

In addition, Sarah has represented and chaired at numerous international and domestic events, including Finsia events in New Zealand. She also co-authored the Insurance Discussion Document 2006 for the Ministry of Economic Development and a Banking Law Update seminar book in 2003.

‘Sarah is one of 27 New Zealanders to be appointed Finsia Senior Fellows, including Richard Kirkland, Director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, who was appointed late last year. Both appointments recognise the importance of our New Zealand membership in Finsia’s representative role for the financial services industry in Australasia’ Mr Thomas said.

About Finsia

The Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia) is a membership association for financial services professionals in Australia and New Zealand.

Finsia was formed in 2005 by the merger of the Australasian Institute of Banking and Finance (AIBF), founded 1886 and the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA), founded 1966.

Today, the organisation has approximately 16,000 members and is one of the largest financial services organisations in the region. It aims to help members succeed in their careers through the provision of relevant and high quality professional development programs, a comprehensive suite of career support services and an extensive range of industry-leading information resources and publications.

Finsia also plays a vital role in protecting the industry’s strength and competitiveness through its leadership, advocacy and policy-setting initiatives.

Russell Thomas F Fin is Finsia's chief executive and managing director. Finsia is governed by a board of directors. The Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of Finsia, including its corporate planning.

ENDS

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