Making waves across the ocean, Athlone native Tony Dunne’s career in the financial services industry is in full flowing tide mode as he conducts his fast paced role as United States Country Manager with Bank of Ireland.
With the company in excess of eight years now, the former Ardbrae Park resident has attained the position having initially fulfilled the position of US Chief Operating Officer.
A perennially hectic schedule in what is a challenging yet rewarding job, Tony enjoys the variety which accompanied the position.
“The best part of the my job is the variety. One moment, I am dealing with operational issues in our main office in Stamford, Connecticut, then I may have to travel to Washington DC to face off against US regulators, while also representing the bank with the very active Irish American community over here,” Tony remarked.
Tony has a wealth of experience garnered to date within the financial services industry, having previous held roles with Bank of Scotland Ireland, Merrill Lynch and DZ Bank, prior to his Bank of Ireland start.
The son of Maura and Padraig Dunne, Tony (43 ) was educated at Dean Kelly NS and Aloysius College before studying for a B.Comm in UCD.
“Upon graduating, I furthered my education, completing both my Certified Accountancy (ACCA ) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA ) exams. Although it wasn’t all study, as I took a couple of years off to travel around South East Asia, and to work in Australia and New Zealand, although I use the term work very lightly!,” Tony noted.
The avid Leinster rugby fan reflects on those school years and the formation of friendships which remain to this day.
“I arrived at UCD in the company of a close group of friends from my Aloysius College days and our bond remains. We may not see each other regularly, but when we meet up, it is like nothing has changed,” Tony commented.
Married to Andrea, the couple have two “very American girls”, Briony (6 ) and Nola (4 ), and usually return to these shores twice a year.
“We usually return to Ireland during the summer months and at Christmas and no trip home is complete without dinner in Grogans of Glasson or a pint in either the Green Olive or Gertie Brownes.
“One of the perks of working with Bank of Ireland is availing of the opportunity to call by parents’ home in Highfield Court if I am in Ireland for work,” Tony continued.
Now fully immersed in the New York lifestyle, the prominent Bank of Ireland official resides with his family on the Upper East side of Manhattan in a borough that is laden with recreational opportunities, not just for the tourist but for locals also.
“I can be at a number of work related events during the week, so the weekends are all about family time. Friday evening is dinner in the neighbourhood followed by a trip to one of the many ice cream parlours! Saturday revolves around the girls’ activities (currently teeball, ballet and soccer ), but we try and keep each Sunday free so we can leave the locality and take advantage of all that Manhattan has to offer,” Tony enthused.
This Athlone native has most certainly made a brand new start of it and left an indelible mark in the city that never sleeps!
