Bank Councilor Oliver Durrer: "I see myself as a bridge builder"

About the job

Brings a wealth of experience from positions in nationally and internationally active companies: The new bank councilor of NKB Oliver Durrer.

Oliver, you have been new to the bank council of the Nidwalden Cantonal Bank since early July. What does this step mean to you personally?

A lot. Nidwalden is my home, here are my roots. I grew up in Buochs and graduated from the college in Stans. Being elected to the bank council of NKB is therefore a great honor for me. I am very much looking forward to the new challenge. My enthusiasm for the tasks and challenges as a member of the bank council is great, and at the same time I approach this responsible mandate with due respect.

What attracts you to NKB?

Many things. Above all, I really like NKB's positioning as a potential developer. I am fascinated by personality and organizational development for potential realization. It is personally very important to me that NKB is successful in the long term and sustainably, while always providing added value for employees, customers, and partners – to have "More from Life".

How do you perceive NKB?

I have already had the opportunity to get to know some employees personally. The first contacts show an extremely warm, family-like, and down-to-earth corporate culture. With its proud, almost 150-year company history, NKB has a great tradition. But I also sense the will to try new things and to continue developing. I perceive the employees as very competent, committed, and reliable. Work is needs- and solution-oriented, with the person always at the center. Last but not least, ecological and social sustainability also play a central role.

You bring a lot of professional experience, having worked for various companies, including internationally active ones. What elements do you bring to the bank council?

I think I bring a fairly broad and colorful range of experiences. I have worked in large companies such as Nestlé and the Migros Cooperative Federation in marketing, sales, and innovation management, participated in building new business units and promoting entrepreneurial innovation culture both nationally and internationally, and gained a lot of experience. As an entrepreneur and board member, I am now also dealing with the entrepreneurial challenges of startups and SMEs.

What are your goals at NKB?

I see myself in my new role at NKB primarily as a bridge builder. I want to contribute to the further potential development of NKB and build the bridge between tradition and innovation. The future needs origins, yet change is the only constant. I see a great opportunity in building on NKB's traditional values and strengths and further strengthening the company's learning and adaptability, as well as its entrepreneurial innovative power and culture. In doing so, we can focusedly use the opportunities of digitalization and technological progress.

What are you most looking forward to at NKB?

I am very much looking forward to working together in the team with the bank council, the management, and all colleagues. I am convinced that together we can create sustainable and lasting value – for our customers, employees, stakeholders, and society. We are doing everything to continue to be the bank of the people of Nidwalden in the future.