New head of lending ops at AMP

The non-major bank has welcomed Melissa Christy as its new head of lending operations and client assist.

Ms Christy – who commenced her new role on Monday (31 January) – joins AMP Bank’s leadership team with more than 23 years’ experience in financial services, having previously led the home lending business at neo-lender 86 400.

The bank noted that her experience in designing, developing, launching and growing the fintech’s mortgage business to more than $1.3 billion while working with “technology focused partners and vendors” would be “highly valuable in delivering AMP Bank’s growth strategy”. 

This strategy reportedly includes strengthening the bank’s home lending proposition for customers and brokers, and its transformation into a technology-enabled, service-led business.

AMP said that automated, digital self-service is central to this approach.

AMP Bank’s director of home lending, Michael Christofides, said: “We are delighted to have Melissa join at such an exciting time for AMP Bank, where we have a clear strategy in place and fantastic opportunity to grow.

“Strengthening our technology offer for both customers and brokers is a pillar of our strategy and Melissa’s proven technology expertise will be invaluable.

“Melissa will be able to build on the significant progress we’ve already made, with our simplified bank platform architecture and modernised core system delivering ~35 per cent improvement in productivity and 70 per cent increase in home loan origination.

“Melissa is passionate about making a difference in the mortgage industry, continuing to strengthen the service and support we provide to brokers and financial advisers, and helping our customers with one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.”

Prior to 86 400, Melissa held leadership and strategy-focused roles at Virgin Money, St.George and Westpac, and start-up online banks in the UK.

[Related: AMP reshuffles execs ahead of demerger]