The top 50 bankers in 2008

Australian Banking & Finance, April 15, 2008

Mr Norris joined Air New Zealand Limited in 2002 as managing director and CEO. He was credited with returning the company to profitability and introducing a more customer-focused culture.

In 2006, he was awarded a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business.

Diane Sias Group Executive, Business & Technology Solutions & Services, Westpac Banking Corporation

Diane rejoined Westpac as Group Executive, Business & Technology Solutions & Services in September 2007. Diane is responsible for information technology, all back-office operations, outsourcing governance, property and corporate services. She oversees Westpac's control frameworks against fraud, money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and has accountability for business continuity services and physical security. Prior to rejoining, Diane was a partner with McKinsey & Company where she led major transformation projects with a focus on post merger integration and organisational restructuring. Between 1990 and 2000 Diane worked for Westpac in a range of executive level roles. Prior to 1990, Diane worked in Sydney and Hong Kong for PA Consulting Group, focusing on performance improvement for retail financial institutions.

Arthur Sinodinos Regional General Manager, Strategy and Wealth, National Australia Bank

Sinodinos joined the Department of Finance in 1979 as a graduate recruit. Hewas promoted to the Treasury in 1980 and served in various capacities until 1987. In October 1987 he joined John Howard's staff as senior economic advisor. In May 1989 he returned to Treasury as an assistant secretary.

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Sinodions served in the Structural Policy, Financial Institutions, Economic and International Economy divisions of Treasury.

He was assistant secretary, Labour Markets Branch (1992-1994), acting first assistant secretary, Economic Division (1993-1994 budget to January 1994), and assistant secretary, International Finance and Development Branch (1994-1995).

In 1995, Sinodinos returned to John Howard's staff. In October 1997, he was appointed as Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, a position he held until December 2006 when he resigned to take a Senior Director position with Goldman Sachs JBWere.

In August 2007, Sinodinos joined the National Australia Bank.

He retains a role as an advisory director at Goldman Sachs JBWere.

Michael Smith Chief Executive Officer, ANZ Banking Group

Michael Smith is Chief Executive Officer of ANZ.

Until June 2007, Mr Smith was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Chairman of Hang Seng Bank Limited, Global Head of Commercial Banking for the HSBC Group and Chairman of HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad.

Previously, Mr Smith was Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Argentina Holdings SA and was subsequently appointed Chairman of HSBC in Argentina in 2000.

Mr Smith joined the HSBC Group in 1978 and during his 29 year career he has held a wide variety of posts in Flong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East and South America, including appointments in Commercial, Institutional and Investment Banking, Planning and Strategy, Operations and General Management.