Motivation, drive, determination and competition are four crucial elements that are heightened when targets are set. In what was an extremely competitive sector, the pressure to make these targets came down to a matter of pride for most bankers. The reckless and relentless pursuit of ever optimistic goal and targets lead to the relaxing of rules and guidelines.
On the 27th of February I interviewed Bridie Bourke about her experiences in the banking sector. She progressed her position to a managers one from starting as bank official. Bridie Bourke is a former bank manager with National Irish Bank, currently known as Danske Bank. She worked with that bank for 32 years (1970-2002).
Like Gay Liston she had come into contact with gender inequality from a client. The glass ceiling remained as transparent as before. She gave me an example of a situation she encountered.
‘My manager had asked me to tell a male customer that we no longer required his custom (an awkward client that the bank could no longer deal with). At the meeting with this particular customer I explained to him what my manager explained to me, he replied with why are you here, your place is behind the kitchen sink’.
She explained to me that although she didn’t express her feelings at the time she felt intimidated by this man. Would he have responded like that to a male banker?
Bridie felt that the targets were the problem with the banking sector. Once they came into place risks were being taken that shouldn't have been just to meet the requirements, she herself said that she would have preferred not meet the target than give some a loan who she knew wouldn’t be able to pay it back. Generally she felt when it came to meeting targets women were more risk adverse. Looking in the Irish media today, I have not seen or heard of a woman in the court room for fraudulent activity like the men have. For example the most recent deals with Anglo Irish bankers.
Numerous decisions were being made with lack of better judgement. Priorities were impaired, tunnel vision to the target was in force. Courageous and bold, versus the careful and controlled. Adam had to eat the apple. With a more diverse banking team, to be both courageous and controlled, brings a prosperous, more secure future in banking.
