The new BankWest Business Centre further increases BankWest's presence in Queensland and means that the bank now has locations in; Brisbane, Geebung, Gold Coast, Springwood, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Townsville and now Maroochydore.
The team has been operating in Maroochydore for just over a year but it was only late last year that they moved into new premises in Southern Drive, on the corner of Carnaby Street. The team held their official opening this week on Wednesday 21 February.
At the official opening Peter Winterflood, Queensland State Manager for BankWest Commercial Banking, said that the new centre is another key milestone in BankWest's assault on key business banking markets across Australia.
"We are the fastest growing business bank in Australia*, because our customers know we're trying harder than the competition to help our customers grow. We've listened to feedback from businesses in many different areas and identified a clear need for specialised banking services across various industry sectors," Mr. Winterflood said.
"Maroochydore was a natural choice for our Business Centre because of its strategic importance to the Queensland economy. The area is an economic hub and has a varied and thriving business community, strong workforce and access to key transport terminals," he said.
The Mayor of Maroochy Shire Council Joe Natoli, who attended the official opening on Wednesday night along with other key members of the business community, said the dedicated BankWest business centre in Maroochydore is a vote of confidence in the area's economic development.
"Population growth, transport links, the diverse workforce and our quality of life in the City of Maroochy have all stimulated the local economy," Mr. Natoli said as he officially opened BankWest Maroohydore. "To see this recognised by a national bank providing financial services to business is a great vote of confidence in the future of our region."
"The new BankWest business banking centre will create several new local jobs and it is hoped that their presence will also have a multiplier effect on employment as staff provide finance, advice and support to meet the needs of growing local businesses.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome BankWest to our local financial services market." Mr Natoli said.
BankWest, part of HBOS Australia has a growth strategy to become a significant force in Australian financial services, through a strategy focussing on driving competition and change in the banking industry, and has enjoyed considerable success over the last few years.
The bank is backed by its UK parent HBOS plc, an organisation that successfully developed and introduced industry specialisation service models in the UK. BankWest is utilising this experience to build similar models here in Australia, developing industry specific lending guidelines in a number of core markets, including health/medical care, hospitality, business and professional services and franchising.
"We've developed award winning business products, like the online Business TeleNet saver account, to give customers the greatest return for the least cost in both time and money and based on our specialised industry knowledge," Mr Winterflood said.
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About BankWest Business
BankWest Business provides a full range of core and specialist business banking products and services to all business market segments from small business to large corporates. From market leading transaction and investment accounts through to flexible business loans and sophisticated Financial Market and International Trade products, we are an organisation committed to making a meaningful difference in the financial services marketplace with our simple and straightforward products. Our energetic approach and attitude aims to reject the status quo and present a significant challenge to the conventions and the competition.
BankWest Business has a presence in capital cities, rural areas and regional locations throughout Australia. We focus on key markets including Property Finance, Small Business, Commercial, Rural and Regional and Corporate.
We also offer a flexible range of products and competitive lending guidelines across specialist industries such as Aged Care, Childcare, Hotels/Accommodation, Franchise and Pharmacy. We recognise the value of the going concern of a business, along with the value of its people and brand, not just its fixed assets or balance sheet.
Our business banking managers have been selected for their industry knowledge and experience and take the time to get to know their customers' business to find the best products and services to meet their needs.
BankWest has been around for more than 100 years and is now part of the HBOS Australia group with assets of over $39 billion. Backed by our parent company HBOS plc, one of the world's largest financial services groups, we are providing a fresh customer experience and challenging the Australian market. BankWest is the fastest growing business bank in Australia*, and because we are growing, we will try harder to help grow your business.
*Measured by market share growth, number of new managers hired and number of new Business Banking Centres opened.
Media Inquiries:
Natalie Causley
Media Relations Manager, HBOS Australia
natalie.causley@hbosa.com.au
(02) 8299 8261
