Ryley Verley’s background in farming was the perfect stepping stone to a career in agribusiness. As a Relationship Manager, he listens and takes the time to understand what his clients’ need to grow their business. Read on to hear how Ryley transformed his career from a young grad to a seasoned professional and found a way to combine his passion with purpose.
A regional support network
As our Agribusiness Relationship Manager, Ryley’s role takes him across the expansive countryside of South Australia. It’s a region he knows well. And he understands the importance of connecting and supporting our regional communities.
“When I was growing up, we had two major banks in our hometown. They’ve both since closed. I remember one day our local politician came to town and said, ‘You need to get yourselves a Bendigo Bank. They will support your town and your community far longer than their competitors.’
“I believe that is a really common story for many of our regional areas around the country. Bendigo Bank really does have an excellent reputation and an extensive branch network.”
As a frontline banker in our agribusiness division, Ryley is closely connected to the outcomes of his work. His clients range from new farmers to intergenerational small business owners. Although he no longer considers himself a farmer, his background gives him valuable insights into his clients’ challenges and needs.
“I act as a conduit for rural businesses and the bank. For me, it’s about understanding how we can help. The best part of my role is being able to offer our products and services to help businesses achieve their goals and grow for the future.”
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It Begins at Bendigo Bank.
From farm to finance
Ryley’s childhood was spent on his parent’s sheep and broadacre farm at Boort in regional Victoria. To this day he remains actively involved in his family’s business. So, it’s no wonder he chose to pursue a career so close to his agricultural roots.
“A part of me always wanted to explore the farming side of my background a bit more,” says Ryley. “Early on in my career, I decided that working with small businesses was a great way to do that.”
Like many young people from his area, Ryley moved to a capital city after high school to pursue a degree in economics and politics at Monash University. Unsure of his next steps upon graduation, Ryley discovered the graduate program at Bendigo Bank and saw an opportunity to grow his capabilities at a better big bank.
“The graduate program is an excellent way to experience different divisions, roles and locations within the bank,” says Ryley. “I discovered what I enjoyed the most was being on the frontline working with customers.”
After 12 months as a graduate, Ryley was promoted to his current position of Agribusiness Relationship Manager - a role that perfectly combines his background in economics with his lived rural experience.
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The future of rural banking
Ryley has come a long way since he first joined us as a young grad in 2022. Through our comprehensive graduate program, he was able to explore multiple roles and gain valuable insights and new skills.
This solid foundation, coupled with a supportive team environment, has set Ryley on a successful career trajectory. Reflecting on his time at Bendigo Bank, Ryley highlights two key aspects that have defined his time with us.
“The first is the range of resources and assistance offered to me so I can carry out my role to the best of my ability are excellent. The other is the culture here. It is so strong, especially in our head office where we work together in an open-plan office. This creates a great network and a more productive and inclusive working environment.”
Looking to the future, Ryley is excited about embracing technological advances and the continued growth of the agricultural industry. As a former graduate, he is now in a position to share his knowledge and experience with those new to the industry.
“The advice I give to our new starters and graduates is to embrace the unique opportunities available to you at Bendigo Bank. Because of our size, we are an organisation where you can directly contribute to the change you want to see in the world.”
