Well known St. George?s community leader Mariea C. Caisey has come back to the Old Town ? as manager of the Bank of Bermuda?s St. George?s branch.

Ms Caisey?s official title is Manager, Branch Operations of Bank of Bermuda Member HSBC Group. Her position became effective on August 30.

Ms Caisey accepted her first job at the bank 33 years ago, on August 30, 1971 at the age of 19. Over the years Ms Caisey has worked in many areas of the bank giving her a vast array of knowledge.

?I started in the Proof Department over three decades ago as a clerk encoding all the work, which included cheques, credit and debit general ledger items and we had to make sure that all the teller work and bank deposits proved.

?Next I worked in General Ledger, Time Deposits, followed by Treasury. From there I went to Bermuda Mortgage and Finance, onto Bermuda Home, Corporate Data Management to my present role as Branch Manager,? said Ms. Caisey.

Reflecting on her long history at the Bank, she said Treasury was one of her most exciting challenges under the direction of James Masters.

She reflected: ?It was electricity in the air when the money markets would be dropping. The brokers would be excited and it was very stimulating observing how the world events affect money market and currency rates.

?Another great mentor was retired bank executive, Jack Lightbourn, and the reason I respected him so highly was the fact that he too only held a high school diploma yet he was highly successful. Being aware of this, highly motivated me to be my best. I am always learning and have taken many in house business courses.?

Asked about her present role she expressed that she manages the branch and the staff and pitches in where there are shortfalls.

?Frequently I greet customers and aim to help them satisfy their banking needs. If we can?t help, we seek venues in other areas of the Bank for assistance.?

One of the best perks of her present job is living in St. George?s and working in her home town. No longer does she suffer the stress of commuting to Hamilton and parking in the City. If she chose, she can reach her King?s Square office in just five minutes from her St. George?s home.

?I was caught off guard when the Bank offered me this job,? she admitted. ?Usually I master an area and then seek other challenges. This time they sought me, a St. Georgian, and I was happy to accept. I love our town and thrive on making a positive impact.?

As a leader, Ms Caisey says that she is a perfectionist but realises no one is perfect. She has high expectations from her staff to do well and she likes to hear the whole story before reacting to any situation. In all aspects of life, she relies on good common sense.

Everyone knows Ms Caisey as she has a long history of leadership affiliated to St. George?s. Only a year ago she was the Deputy Mayor of the town. She was the first woman Commodore of the St. George?s Dinghy and Sports Club from 1998 to 2000.

This year she became the chairman of the volunteer membership committee of St. George?s Foundation. She has been a member for seven years. Recently she has been invited to become a board member. Additionally this year she joined the St. George?s Rotary Club and the St. George?s Chamber of Commerce.

When asked where she sees herself a decade from now she said: ?Still behind this bank desk.

?By then I will be approaching retirement and will be getting ready to start a new life.?

The merger of the Bank of Bermuda with HSBC Group, the world?s second largest bank, has been a positive experience for Ms Caisey who says the takeover brought benefits to staff and more products to customers.

?I wish the takeover had happened years ago, I would have enjoyed having the opportunities of working in another countries around the world that HSBC have offices.

?You never know, that might happen yet.

?I find that dreaming is an elevating and positive experience ? providing it is realistic. So far, with patience and diligence, I have realised many career dreams,? concluded Ms Caisey.