Key name boasts years of international banking experience
Kiwibank has announced the appointment of Jarrod Kerr as its new chief economist.
Kerr will take the role of Zoe Wallis, who has moved within the business to head Kiwibank’s transactions and payments department.
Kerr has spent his entire career overseas, most notably in the U.S, Switzerland and Australia. Nonetheless, he states that he remains well versed in the Kiwi market.
“When I first started as an economist at JP Morgan my role was to cover Australia and they threw in New Zealand as a training ground” Kerr said. “Over time, New Zealand became my speciality.”
Kiwibank acting CEO Mark Stephen said that Kerr promises gutsy calls as well as commentary and perspective presented in a way that people can understand.
“Kiwibank’s team of economists can add great value. I want to see money talked about in a way that is interesting and relatable,” Kerr explained. “We need to give our customers what they want to read, and make it more entertaining and digestible. I want to rip out the jargon.”
The new chief economist also noted financial literacy and encouraging Kiwis to save more as the key issues on his priority list, along with social responsibility and the environment.
“I consider myself ‘green at heart’; a great fit for a green bank,” he stated.
