People
Issue No. 9 - February/March 2003
Bankable Woman
by Penelope Herbert
After two decades in the banking industry, Debra Webber has seen ground breaking changes in the way banks treat female staff and female customers. As the State Manager for Westpac’s Women-In-Business division, Debra has helped nurture the business projects of many clients. And soon, she’ll be nurturing two of her own – twins.
This may well be the most life changing event Debra has faced since leaving high school to join the Commercial Bank of Australia (CBA). It has since amalgamated with the Bank of New South Wales and become Westpac.
When Debra commenced her career, she never anticipated that the socially acceptable and stable banking industry would change to offer her what some may feel is a dream job. As an aspiring music teacher by night and respectable Proof (data) Operator by day, Debra found the progression for women in banking twenty years ago was slow at best.
‘It took five years for a female Proof Operator to be promoted to Ledger Examiner,’ recalls Debra, ‘and that was even before she could be a Teller. The progression was much slower than that offered to men but in the last ten years I have seen tremendously swift movement in all sectors of the industry’.
Despite musical aspirations and a snail-pace promotional path, Debra stayed with Westpac because banking was a secure and respected profession. And she is quick to point out that Westpac in particular has always been very supportive of staff wishing to pursue extra study in banking and finance.
‘This is a very competitive industry with a strong emphasis on wealth creation,’ says Debra. ‘Today, new recruits have at least a degree in perhaps commerce, economics or business management. I have to ensure I remain a productive employee for the bank’.
Debra’s current position is a hybrid of Portfolio Banking and Women-In-Business roles. She leads a team of Managers who work with the portfolios of top...
