Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has shuffled the management deckchairs in its business bank, which it will combine with Rural Bank into a single division to streamline focus on gathering deposits and lending into the ultra-competitive SME market.

Bendigo, which reports half-year results on February 14, said it would retain its existing brands – including Rural Bank – while bringing together back end systems and processes. It is looking for a new chief customer officer to lead the combined business and agribusiness division.