The brave career move that helped propel Matt Comyn to the top of CBA

The CEO of Australia’s biggest bank reveals pivotal moments in his career - and how much sleep he likes to get.

Matt Comyn says communication, including giving speeches, is a key part of his role. Dominic Lorrimer

Sally Patten and Lap Phan

Jan 28, 2025 – 5.00am

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In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Commonwealth Bank of Australia was engulfed in a financial disaster in north Queensland after the collapse of financial advice group Storm Financial wiped out the life savings of thousands of customers.

At the time Matt Comyn, now chief executive of CBA, was running the bank’s online stockbroking arm, CommSec, but he volunteered to lead the remediation process.

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Sally PattenBOSS editorSally Patten edits BOSS, and writes about workplace issues. She was the financial services editor and personal finance editor of the AFR, The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She edited business news for The Times of London.