Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Finance and Management at the University of New South Wales.
Since completing my university studies I have become a Graduate at ANZ working with the Fixed Income Trading Team in Sydney. I sought a career in financial services because it is an industry that is not only fundamental to the sustainability and resilience of the economy but also exposes me to a field that is constantly evolving and adapting to the changing technological, political, and economic landscape. I believe that working in financial services will provide me with essential life skills and core financial literacy and I am excited by the opportunity to be hands on with clients and to be able to create a tangible impact on the lives of many individuals.
2020 Young Ambassador Sarah Valente, Graduate, ANZ
I hope that The BFSO Young Ambassador Program provides me with the tools and confidence to be able to speak out on ethics amongst my peers; particularly the juniors who will begin with the bank as I have. I am honoured to stand with a group of like-minded individuals who also believe that upholding integrity is vital to the relationships and networks they create throughout their careers.
Given the current scrutiny of the banking industry I feel it is my duty to commence my banking journey with solid understanding of ethics and to have core practices in place that I can draw on at all times. I hope that the Program can build upon the foundational knowledge I gained throughout my university studies and can shine a unique light on the importance of ethics in the banking industry post the Hayne Royal Commission.
I envision that in a post-Hayne world we see ethics embedded into every framework imposed by financial institutions, in all credit assessments, product releases, customer meetings and discussions. Ethical conduct would no longer be a concept that is discussed in forums and meetings, but rather, is ingrained in the actions of every employee and stakeholder at all times. Furthermore, as widespread change in the industry becomes entrenched in the practices of each entity I envisage a world where trust is the foundation of every customer relationship and where clients truly believe their institution will do the right thing without question.