Avenue Bank has announced the appointment of Jo Mikleus as the new independent, non-executive director of the Board. Bringing over 35 years of experience in business, banking, and technology, Ms Mikleus will Chair the Avenue Bank’s Board Audit Committee. Christian Bernecker is stepping down from his role on the Board.

Ms Mikleus’ current influence extends through her non-executive directorship at Acumentis Group and Yondr Money. She is also a Senior Vice President at Cyble Inc., an AI cyber threat intelligence company. Jo will bring deep banking and financial services experience having spent over 30 years with ANZ and Latitude Group.

Stephen Rix, Avenue’s Chairman, said: “We wish to thank Christian Bernecker for his valuable contribution to Avenue and are delighted Jo has accepted her appointment. Jo’s proven track record and focus on growth, customer design thinking, and innovation will be valuable to Avenue’s Board of Directors. Her experience will ensure our Board continues to have the collective skills needed as an ADI to deliver on its strategic plan as Australia’s first and only bank specialising in bank guarantees.”

Jo Mikleus said she was delighted to join Avenue Bank's board at such an exciting time for the company.

"It's a thrilling period to join Avenue's Board. I look forward to contributing to Avenue's trajectory, reinforcing its position at the forefront of banking innovation for Australian businesses.”

This strategic appointment follows Avenue Bank’s launch in March, when it received a full banking licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), establishing it as an Authorised Deposit-Taking Institution (ADI).

The bank has since made a significant impact with its revolutionary digital bank guarantees, acclaimed by the Australian business community for their swift 24-hour issuance - a true industry game-changer.

Peita Piper, CEO of Avenue Bank, said: "The response to our digital bank guarantees has been overwhelmingly positive. We are reshaping the future of commercial leasing, and Jo's guidance will play an important part in steering us through this exciting phase of growth and innovation."

Jo Mikleus BSocSci (Economics) | GAICD                                                    

Jo is a growth-focused and customer-orientated C-Suite executive with over 35 years' experience in banking, business, and technology, including as CEO. Across a diverse career in public, private, and PE-backed companies, she has developed a track record of innovating and successfully leading people through structural, technological, social, and regulatory change. Jo passionately advocates for customer-design-thinking, disruptive innovation, leadership, culture, and inclusion. She is a Senior Vice President at Cyble Inc., an AI cyber threat intelligence company, and her other current Board directorships include:

-       NED and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at Acumentis (ASX:ACU), a listed property valuation and advisory firm.

-       NED and Chair of the Board at Yondr Money, a payments and loyalty FinTech.

About Avenue Bank:

Avenue’s purpose is to deliver fast, fair, fuss free banking solutions to Australian businesses, starting with the important bank guarantee segment. We’ve reinvented the bank guarantee and have launched in market with an offering that benefits all members of the commercial leasing ecosystem. Liberty Financial Group (ASX:LFG) is the major shareholder of Avenue which was founded by entrepreneurs Colin Porter and Dale Hurley. For enquiries and applications, visit us online at avenuebank.com.au.