Mortgage Rates Daily Commentary
Saturday 31 January 2026
[Your weekend TMM read] How much did this cost banks?
This is mind blowing. The big banks went on a cash back spending spree to win business at the end of last year (started by ANZ). The latest numbers from the Reserve Bank are dizzying how much switching went on.
One has to aask questions around banks' behaviour to win business. Clearly cash speaks louder than advice.
Read the numbers here
Sovereign appoints home loans head
Sovereign has appointed a new general manager home loans to take over from Chris Barry
Thursday, December 16th 2004, 10:36AM

Sovereign has appointed Adrienne Smith as general manager home loans. Smith has held various roles in ASB Group over the last 18 years, most recently as general manager technology – insurance and investments at Sovereign.
Smith will have responsibility for the overall strategic direction of Sovereign’s home loan team, including customer service and business growth. She will manage a team of people who deal directly with Sovereign’s adviser network.
“I am genuinely excited to be getting back into the home loans side of the business. I’ve enjoyed my time in IT, but it will be great to take on another challenge leading the Sovereign home loans team in what is a hugely competitive market at the moment” Smith said.
Prior to her most recent role, Smith held a number of positions spanning both retail and institutional financial services within ASB Group. She held a key project role in the startup of BankDirect, has managed a retail bank branch and is a current member of the Sovereign executive management committee.
Smith takes over from Chris Barry, who is leaving Sovereign to focus on a business venture he has been planning for some time.
Commenting is closed