The FinTech Report Podcast: Episode 30; Simon Burt, Head of Digital Customer Experience and Innovation, Newcastle Permanent Building Society

Key Points:

NPBS future is about Partnerships

NPBS not trying to be a digital only bank, but wants to partner with fintechs to stay competitive and serve customers better

Bank branches are now ‘digital classrooms’ for customers

Open Banking will change the bank-customer relationship for the better

Data first approach for decision making

Merger provides scale, which allows bank to invest more in technology

Simon Burt is Head of Digital Customer Experience and Innovation at Newcastle Permanent Building Society, a role he’s had for over 5 years. Simon has been with NPBS for over 15 and has worked across both branch banking as well as home loans. Prior to his 15 years with NPBS, he spent 10 years with American Express on the FX part of the business.

NPBS provide financial services, including accounts, home and personal loans, debit and credit cards, and insurance, but are not a bank. They are a mutual building society; NPBS is owned by the customers, not by shareholders.

Newcastle Permanent was established in 1903. They are regulated by the Banking Act 1959 (Cth), and supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Their motto is: ‘Here for Good’.

In November 2022, Newcastle Permanent and Greater Bank agreed to a merger. The merged organisation will have more than $20 billion in total assets and 600,000 customers, and benefit from almost 200 years of combined operating history.

The new merged entity, will be called: Newcastle Greater Mutual Group Ltd

In this interview we cover:

Simon’s role at NGMG?

Why NGMG?

What is NGMG’s interest in fintech?

What pain point do you solve for fintechs?

Who are your potential customers? What is your ‘sweet spot’?

How do you asses risk when dealing with fintechs?

Expansion plans?

Open Banking – benefit to fintechs & banks?

Simon always keen to meet with fintechs looking to partner:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonburt2300/

S5:E17: Talking Shop with Seth & Jay