Commonwealth Bank

From vet science to data science - Laura’s leap into AI “Driven by a love of animals and science, I spent almost a decade as a practicing veterinarian. During my clinical work, I gravitated towards diagnostic imaging which includes a lot of statistics and physics, and when the opportunity presented itself, I pursued a Masters of Applied Science, opening the door to a new career in AI. Trading the life of a small animal clinician for a diverse career in AI seemed like a huge change at the start. Looking back, I've seen just how many transferrable skills I've been able to bring into my new roles and developed further at CommBank. A continuous learning mindset, problem solving, building rapport and trust with people quickly, backing up decisions with evidence and taking expert advice and blending it with what is practical, to name a few. Diversity of thought when working in the AI space is important, and having a different career background is just one of those ways to bring other opinions into the mix.” Laura’s advice for anyone considering a career in data and AI: “I encourage anyone considering making the leap into the exciting and ever evolving world of AI to dive in!”   Through our partnership with Vogue Australia Vogue Codes, we’re proud to spotlight women excelling in STEM careers, sharing their journeys to inspire more women to pursue a career in AI and technology. Laura Moore Data Scientist 📸 Lucas Jarvis #CommBankLife #ArtificalIntelligence #VogueCodes #WomenInTech

Last week, CommBank Next Chapter announced additional partners as part of Next Chapter Innovation. These partners will receive both financial and non-financial support from the bank, including mentoring with senior CommBank employees. CommBank Next Chapter is a bank-wide commitment to help end financial abuse and support people on their road to long-term financial independence. Through this commitment we created Next Chapter Innovation to support organisations to deliver innovative responses to financial abuse recovery. Last year, we launched the second wave of Next Chapter Innovation, focusing on supporting First Nations-led responses to financial abuse. These include Strong Women Talking and the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA). As part of our ongoing commitment to understand the unique nature of financial abuse impacting First Nations communities, we’ve now announced Mudgin-gal (Women’s Place) and Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan as additional partners. Both these organisations were nominated by members of our One.Mob First Nations Employee Network. 💛 Mudgin-gal is an Aboriginal-run women’s centre in Redfern that delivers culturally safe, community-led programs to support Aboriginal women and families. Mudgin-gal will deliver ‘sacred circles’ sessions that are trauma informed, healing led and blend cultural practice with financial education. 💛 Mookai Rosie-Bi-Bayan provides support for women from Cape York, NPA and Torres Strait regions while they are in Cairns. Mookai Rosie will create a replicable social enterprise supporting victim-survivor recovery by utilising traditional and cultural knowledge of plants to make medicinal healing products. For more information, search ‘CommBank Next Chapter’.

From this month, CommBank will start offering Confirmation of Payee (CoP), a name-matching service designed to combat scams and mistaken payments, which is being progressively rolled out this year by most Australian banks. CoP matches the name entered by the payee when making a domestic payment using a BSB and account number with the name held by the receiving bank.   CoP will work alongside CommBank’s existing NameCheck technology to provide additional information to CommBank customers, such as: 🟡 Indicating whether account details look right based on available payment data, taking into account additional factors 👍Providing better match rates, for example if a person uses a nickname/preferred name, or if a business’ trading name varies from its registered name 💛 Providing enhanced, tailored messaging to give customers more confidence in who they are sending money to, or to encourage them to pause and check before they make the payment

“When Aboriginal communities are resourced and respected, the impact is powerful, and it lasts for generations. For me, our work at the Council of Aboriginal Services WA (CASWA) is about restoring dignity, independence, and hope. It’s about walking alongside our communities as they reclaim control over their lives and futures. Our partnership with CommBank, through their Next Chapter Innovation program, has helped us bring our Empowered Pathways project to life - a culturally grounded, trauma-informed initiative supporting First Nations people impacted by financial abuse. CommBank’s support means we can do this in a way that honours culture, listens deeply, and leads with care. We’re building futures led by Aboriginal voices.” Ada Hanson, Director Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA) #NAIDOC2025

“What's more motivating to people who want to return to work - niceness or kindness? I’ve never been all that fussed about being the nicest leader in the room. But I care deeply about being the kindest. To me, niceness avoids discomfort. Kindness leans in with empathy, honesty and a genuine desire to help someone grow. Some of the best career moments I’ve had come off the back of the hardest feedback, the kind that’s delivered with care and belief in your potential. I am lucky to work for an organisation that backs its people through all stages of life. I was promoted to both my prior and current leadership roles because I was considered the best person for the job - I also happened to be heavily pregnant both times. That level of trust and support speaks volumes and it’s just one of the reasons I’m proud to be part of CommBank. It also means I know what it’s like to return to work after parental leave. I know the enormous change, the juggle, the lack of self-confidence and the shift in identity that can come with it, and how important it is to feel supported during that transition. That’s why I’m proud to be the Executive Sponsor of the CommBank Career Comeback Program, a 12-week paid opportunity for anyone who has taken a career break of two years or more. The program is designed to help you return to the workforce with confidence, with the support, structure and encouragement you deserve. Applications are now open until 18 July for roles across Financial Services, Risk and Financial Crime. If this sounds like the next step for you, we’d love to see your application.” Anna Jepson CFO, Institutional Banking & Markets Career Comeback Sponsor

Every minute a scammer is talking to a bot, is a minute they’re not scamming Aussies.   It’s a game-changer in the fight against scams. Apate.AI

“I didn’t expect a career break to be the best thing for my career, but it was.   Two years ago, I stepped away from work to spend time with my kids. My youngest was born during COVID-19, and with all our family overseas, most hadn’t even met her yet. We used that time to reconnect, to travel, to introduce her to the incredible network of people she belongs to, and to simply be present. It was chaotic, beautiful, and something I’ll always be grateful for. But as AI started gaining traction, I felt a pull, not just to return to work, but to pivot and grow. Like many people, I started my search on LinkedIn, and that’s where I discovered CommBank’s Career Comeback Program, a structured, paid return-to-work initiative for professionals re-entering the workforce after a career break. I applied and felt supported from the very first conversation with the recruitment team. A few months in, I’m now working with the IB&M Data Analytics & AI team, where I’ve been empowered to get involved and make an impact from day one. The program has helped me grow professionally, step confidently into a new and fast-moving space, and work alongside a team that truly values curiosity, attitude, and a willingness to learn. Taking a career break doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind. If anything, it gives you a fresh perspective. You return with clarity, adaptability, and a broader view of how to approach challenges. The experience adds depth, not distance. I love being part of a company that recognises that. If you’re thinking about returning to work, or know someone who is, I couldn’t recommend this program highly enough… just give it a go.” Jayne Kenwright x CommBank Performance Lead Career Comeback Alumni

Today we become the largest supporter of football in Australia’s history. From September, we will become the official naming rights partner of the Socceroos and men’s youth national teams, joining the CommBank Matildas, women’s youth national teams and Para teams in an expanded partnership with Football Australia. We’re also becoming the marquee sponsor of the Emerging Matildas and Socceroos Championships to foster the next generation of elite players, as well as increasing our investment in community clubs via the Growing Football Fund. From grassroots to the world stage, we’re all in. The extension of our partnership is a commitment to supporting all Australians regardless of age, gender, ability, or location to take part in the highest participatory sport in the country.

We're sponsoring Vogue Australia Codes, designed to inspire more women to pursue a career in technology, told through the stories of the women leading the way at CommBank. In the lead up to Vogue Codes, Briana Wade, Senior Manager Cyber Defence Analytics, shares her story.   “What excites me most about working in tech at CommBank is the endless opportunities to innovate and learn. I grew up in a tech-savvy family, which sparked my interest in technology from a very young age. After graduating from ANU in Canberra with a Bachelor of Engineering, I started my career as a cyber threat intelligence analyst. My passion for solving complex problems naturally led me to CommBank, where innovation and engineering are at the forefront. In cyber security, we’re challenged to stay one step ahead. That means continuously learning, adapting our defences, and thinking creatively to protect what matters. Diverse perspectives help us tackle these complex challenges with creativity and confidence. My advice to anyone pursuing a career in tech is to embrace your uniqueness and understand that your experiences make you valuable. Recognise your worth and the unique perspective you bring to the table”. #CommBankLife #womenintech #VogueCodes

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’ calls for a forward-looking approach to reconciliation, recognising the ongoing connection between the past, present, and future – something that is deeply ingrained through the work that Bush to bowl do. By creating bushfood gardens that replicate natural ecosystems, Bush to Bowl demonstrate how Indigenous land management can lead to healthier, more resilient food systems. Every plant grown is more than a product — it’s a story, a teaching tool, and a step toward healing both land and people. This week, we were lucky enough to have Bush to Bowl host a ‘native plants and spices’ workshop for CommBank team members across our Sydney offices. Attendees learned that caring for Country is more than a sustainability practice, it’s a deep Cultural responsibility. At Bush to Bowl, their work is guided by intergenerational knowledge and a strong Connection to Culture, centred on ecological respect and the long-term healing of land and community. At CommBank, we are privileged to work alongside Bush to Bowl to include native ingredients in our internal kitchens for catering, staff dining and client meetings. #NRW2025