As a business owner, you want to put your business in the hands of a team you can trust – and we get that. So, let’s get to know your BCU Bank business banking team on a deeper level.
We’d like to introduce you to Darren Underhill, Senior Manager of BCU’s Queensland Business Banking team, based in our Brisbane office.
With more than 20 years’ experience leading high performance banking teams across Australia’s east coast, Darren’s knowledge and skill has made him an invaluable asset to our business banking team.
Darren began his career through a cadetship at a big four bank in Canberra, where he experienced several different areas of banking.
He made his way up the east coast of Australia, working across different banking teams in cities, small coastal towns, and regional locations, before eventually landing in Brisbane.
That’s where Darren’s story starts with BCU, and we can’t wait to share more about him. So, we sat down with Darren to find out what makes him tick.
What advantages does BCU Business Banking offer over larger banks?
After working at several big and small banks, Darren joined BCU to work where he could look after customers and do right by them.
“Unfortunately, people often receive bad service from their bank and then expect all banks to treat them the same way – we’re here to overcome this stereotype,” Darren said.
“At BCU, we’re the little guy with the capability of the big guys, and we have the flexibility to provide more tailored expert solutions that often the bigger banks can’t provide.
“We have the ability to sit down with customers and understand their individual business needs, as we understand it isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model.
“Our business banking team is about capability, providing good service by spending time with the customer and understanding their needs.”
In one word, Darren describes his business banking team as ‘agile’ – meeting the needs of businesses by providing quick and easy solutions.
What are the biggest pressures businesses are currently expereriencing?
Darren understands how important it is to have a trusted advisor, someone to turn to when your business is exploring finance options.
“There can be a lot of risks around running your own business, and a standout at the moment is definitely costs, from labour and input costs to power and electricity,” he said.
“Not to mention uncertainty around suppliers post-COVID, interest rate volatility, regulatory challenges, and staffing – businesses are really feeling the pressure right now.”
Our business banking team is here to support customers to navigate these challenges.
“Our role is to not only help businesses build their wealth, but to be someone who can listen to people’s issues, provide another perspective, or refer them to experts,” Darren said.
“Every business is different; it has individual needs that must be met.
“We provide tailored guidance combined with industry knowledge, and can rely on referral networks built over years of combined experiences to help point customers in the right direction."
What opportunities do you see for businesses in the future?
Despite the challenges facing some businesses, there is also opportunity for growth.
“I see enormous opportunity over the next decade, particularly in south-east Queensland,” Darren said.
“We’ve got the Olympic Games coming to Brisbane in 2032, which opens up a world of opportunities in the commercial and property sectors.
“There are a number of infrastructure projects that will need support from Queensland businesses, some of which are already underway, and there’s also the ongoing interstate migration to south-east Queensland.
“We’re here to help business owners make the most of these opportunities, to assist with commercial property investments, and meet construction finance requirements.”
If you’d like to bank with a team that truly cares about your business goals and needs, get in touch with Darren via
Better business banking with BCU
BCU is a part of P&N Group, one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banking organisations, represented by BCU in New South Wales and south-east Queensland and P&N Bank in Western Australia.
As a customer-owned bank, our only shareholders are our members. Our purpose is to enrich the lives of our members and their communities.
We offer a range of products at competitive rates to help you take control of your future and grow your business, with personalised service from our experienced business banking team who understand your industry and your needs.