Liam Tiernan
Chief Executive Officer
liam@cairnsbank.com.au
0448 378 433
Liam brings over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Cairns Bank. His expertise spans consumer and commercial lending, risk management, and project management, and he is deeply committed to the values of customer-owned banking.
Holding a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a CPA qualification, Liam also holds a Diploma of Finance and Mortgage Broking Management. He is a member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and the Commercial and Asset Finance Brokers Association of Australia (CABFA), adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and customer service.
Liam’s passion lies in supporting Cairns Bank customers and the local community. He is dedicated to ensuring the bank delivers the best service, competitive rates, and tailored products for every customer, every day.
Karen Smith
Operations Manager
karen@cairnsbank.com.au
Karen has been a cornerstone of the Cairns Bank team since June 1998. Starting as an Administration Assistant focusing on APRA and financial reporting, she has steadily advanced through roles, becoming Compliance & Finance Officer (2009–2020) and now Operations Manager.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with USQ, Karen has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s operations over the years. Highlights of her career include being part of contributing to key technology transitions like internet banking, Visa debit cards, and internal IT infrastructure and growth of our memberships, loans and asset size.
Along the way, she’s raised three kids while dedicating her career to the bank—a testament to her resilience and passion for community banking.
Geoff Ryan
Chief Information Officer
geoff@cairnsbank.com.au
With over 24 years in the banking industry, Geoff has been exposed to all operational aspects of medium sized financial institutions in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands and New Zealand. From handling cash as a teller to identifying and carrying out strategic initiatives to build customer value and improve growth, his experience and skills facilitated stable environments and growth for the banks and credit unions Geoff has worked for. In 2024, Geoff was the recipient of CIO of the year (APAC) and C-Suite Award from CEO Monthly.
Gavin Vincent
Lending Relationships Manager
gavin@cairnsbank.com.au
0499 090 537
With extensive experience for over 35 years in banking and financial services, Gavin brings a wealth of knowledge to Cairns Bank. His career spans a variety of leadership and specialist roles within the Westpac Group (St. George Bank), where he successfully managed loan portfolios and business banking units across Cairns and Far North Queensland.
Gavin has built a strong reputation for his ability to identify customer needs and deliver tailored, compliant solutions that consistently exceed expectations. His background includes residential and commercial lending, business relationship management, complex lending analysis in private wealth, and managing remediation efforts for both consumer and business banking.
Leanne Bell
Customer Relationships Manager
leanne@cairnsbank.com.au
Leanne has been a valued member of the Cairns Bank team for over 10 years and brings nearly 40 years of experience in various areas of banking. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for providing personalised service and solutions to meet her customers’ unique needs.
As Customer Relationship Manager, Leanne is dedicated to delivering the best service and products to all our customers. Whether it’s helping with everyday banking or finding tailored solutions, she’s always ready to support the local community.
