Bank South Pacific (B.S.P.) Samoa’s country head Taitu'uga Maryann Lameko-Vaai has been promoted to a new role within the region’s largest bank.

Taitu'uga has been appointed General Manager Offshore Branches and will be based in the Papua New Guinea (P.N.G.) capital Port Moresby.

Reporting to the Group Chief Executive Officer, she will lead and oversee the operations of six B.S.P. offshore branches in Samoa, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

Taitu'uga started working at the B.S.P. Samoa over a decade ago as a Head of Finance and Operations before becoming the first Samoan woman to be appointed country manager of bank in 2015. 

She was also in the bank’s leadership and management development programme for two years from 2016–2018.

Prior to joining the bank, Taitu'uga was the Manager (Finance and Operations) at the Computer Services Limited after working with Lesa and Penn as Senior Accountant and Auditor. 

Her management training complimented the Bachelor's Degree she holds from Auckland University and is also a chartered accountant with the Samoa Institute of Accountants and a certified public accountant with CPA Australia.

Experience in the financial services industry includes budgeting, risk management, analytical skills and banking and sales. 

Attempts by the Samoa Observer to get a comment from Taitu'uga on Friday and Saturday were unsuccessful. However, she told Newsline newspaper that her appointment "is not just an individual achievement".

“This appointment is not just an individual achievement, it’s also a reflection of the success of the B.S.P. Samoa team and the strength of our business,” Taitu'uga said.

“Whilst it is sad to be leaving Samoa and relocating my family to P.N.G. these opportunities are hard to come by and sometimes, we just need to take a leap of faith.

“I only wish my parents were still alive today to witness the fruits of God’s grace through their prayers and hard work.”

Taitu'uga is the daughter of the late Council of Deputy and Member of Parliament, Tuiloma Pule Lameko and is married to Lemauga Hobart Va'ai, the current Samoa Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer.