BankWest Expands Business Presence in Orange

Hot off the back of BankWest's announcement of its assault on the Australian banking industry with the roll-out of more than 160 major new retail and commercial banking centres, BankWest officially opened its new Business Banking Centre in Orange on Thursday 19th July 2007.
BankWest has operated in Orange since January 2001 and officially opened its new Business Banking Centre in 36 Sale Street Orange today.

Member for Orange Russell Turner MP opened the centre and said the dedicated BankWest Business Banking Centre was a vote of confidence for the area's economic development.
"Orange is an extremely important region in both economic terms and also jobs growth.
"To see financial services entrants like BankWest coming into the region is a vote of confidence for the ever expanding growth opportunities here in the central west of NSW.
"I'm pleased to open the new BankWest business centre and encourage competition in the financial services market," Mr Turner said.

BankWest's Head of Rural and Regional Banking, Jamie Ritchie said Orange was a growing region and selected because of its strategic importance in NSW.
"There is growing demand in Orange for competitive financial agribusiness and commercial products," he said. 
"The opening of this business centre is another milestone for BankWest rural and regional as we continue to expand on the east coast of Australia.

"BankWest has been in Orange for over six years so we have an excellent understanding of the region that is backed by our hundred year history in Western Australia."
Mr Ritchie also said rural and regional NSW was a key part of BankWest's growth strategy and the bank had continuing growth plans in the region.
"Our recent expansion announcement means it will be even easier for BankWest customers to access our services and products over the coming years," he said.

As a part of HBOS Australia, BankWest 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.

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.

Bridget Tombleson
Media Relations Manager, HBOS Australia
Tel: (08) 9449 6768 or 0407 084 359