People working in the old Commonwealth Bank building, on the corner of Terralong and Manning Streets, are used to people peering in the windows trying to find out what’s in store for the prime location.

The answer is not what most people would expect, given rumours of cafes and upstairs cocktail bars.

The entire building has been leased for nine years by Padua Financial Group, a business established at the end of 2013 which has quietly become one of Kiama’s largest employers (with 50 staff here).

“We assist financial planners by helping them increase the efficiency of their business,” says Anne-Marie Esler, who founded the business with her brother Matthew Esler.

“Our software provides compliance parameters, so the service they offer to their clients is efficient, high quality and compliant.”

They don’t provide financial advice or have retail customers.

Having just moved down with their three children to her husband, Josh Marley’s, home town, Ms Esler says she made it a condition of her involvement that it be based in Kiama.

“I couldn’t commence a business without it being close to home,” she says.

Being in close proximity to the University of Wollongong (UOW) and cable NBN connection were also big attractions.

Anne-Marie Esler and husband Josh Marley, who works in the business, in the enviably located tearoom.

Their first office was above Hanoi on Manning, and they expanded into two nearby shop-top offices before the opportunity came up to lease the Commonwealth Bank.

“The biggest issue for people wanting to base their businesses here is the lack of commercial rental space,” she says.

The new harbourside location gives them the room to have their 50 local staff under one roof, with plenty of room for expansion.

In addition, their Sydney office (Pitt St compared to Manning St) employs around 30 people.

Young staff have largely come through internship programs with the University of Wollongong, where working casually during their undergraduate degrees (usually studying commerce or IT) leads to work when they finish their degrees.

Senior staff have typically worked as financial advisers or as para planners.

“We’ve been able to secure fantastic staff members who are highly qualified and professional but don’t necessarily want to live in a big city anymore or move there in the first place,” says Ms Esler.

Having recently just raised $10 million to fund further expansion, she is keen that their business supports other local businesses to create a multiplier effect.

“In early December we are inviting shareholders and clients down to show them our new office, and we will use it to showcase the local produce of the area,” says Ms Esler.

“People love the fact we’ve made a success of working in a regional area.”