After nine years steering ASB through regulatory turbulence, economic uncertainty, and a record anti-money laundering penalty, Vittoria Shortt is stepping down as chief executive this December — closing a chapter defined by the quiet, difficult work of embedding purpose into a large institution. Her successor, Sinead Taylor, arrives from Commonwealth Bank of Australia carrying deep operational experience and, notably, a childhood connection to New Zealand, as the bank looks to consolidate its foundations and face a more demanding compliance landscape ahead.