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Profile on... Tim Cretney, Private Banker

Tim Cretney

Q: Tell us a little about your background
A: I started my banking career at Isle of Man Bank, where I worked in various roles. In 1985, I spread my wings and moved to London, working for First Republic Bank and then the Co-op Bank, before returning to my roots in the Isle of Man. This is when I joined Fairbairn Private Bank as Head of Treasury, and since then I have worked in treasury, banking and asset management services. Over the last ten years, I have used this experience to deal with private clients and a number of intermediary relationships, who have a wider ranging set of requirements.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Fairbairn Private Bank?
A: I especially like the 'flexible' characteristics of the bank. Whereas other financial institutions have set products for clients, we don't. We are flexible enough to offer bespoke solutions for clients, by applying the appropriate mix of services to what the client needs.

Also, the bank's driver is not financial targets, but client satisfaction levels. This is rare, especially in an industry dominated by a quest for scale, rather than a quest for quality.

Q: What are your goals / aims in the short term?
A: My goal, as ever, is to maintain and grow the bank's reputation for exceptional quality of service among investment professionals. The bank's image and reputation is especially important to me because I have been closely involved in the evolution of the bank's services over the years. Through our listening and learning approach we've achieved great things and it's resulted in services of a recognised quality, which are a foundation for dealing with financial professionals in most areas of the industry.

Q: Is there anything your clients are particularly interested in at the moment?
A: Security is definitely still important to clients. The major industry upheavals, suffered during the global economic crisis, have not been forgotten and it's pleasing that the bank's drive for service, rather than quick high-risk profit, has enabled us to weather the financial storm without risk to our clients. Our prudent approach to business has translated into our approach to managing clients' money and we've continued to deliver strong results.

Q: Your top tip?
A: Never forget you're dealing with people.

Education: Member of the Association Cambiste Internationale (ACI);  International Member of the London Foreign Exchange Association.
Career: 1979 to 1985 - Isle of Man Bank; 1985 to 1990 - First Republic Bank, London; 1990 to 1991 - Co-op Bank, London; 1991 to present - Fairbairn Private Bank, Isle of Man.
Likes: Skiing (and more recently snowboarding), football and classic cars.
Dislikes: Manx weather and answering questions about myself!
If you weren't here now, what would you be doing? Watching Everton play (and win!).