Rapidly growing HBOS Australia subsidiary BankWest continues its expansion in Victoria with the opening of a new office in Ballarat.
The opening of the office located at 42 Lydiard Street (Sth) Ballarat has also seen the appointment of experienced banker Vin Armstrong as Business Development Manager for the region.
Head of Rural and Regional Banking, Jamie Ritchie said Ballarat was an important region for BankWest and the bank believed there was growing demand from businesses in the region for competitive financial providers.
"The new office in Ballarat will create further competition in the banking sector which will ultimately mean more competitive rates and products for businesses in the region," Mr Ritchie said.
"Ballarat continues to be a key regional centre for commercial business and the agribusiness community."
"Although we are relatively new to Victoria, BankWest has over a hundred year history in Western Australia and was formed out of an agricultural bank."
Mr Armstrong comes to the bank with over twenty five years experience in banking including experience in the small to middle markets and said he was looking forward to developing the rural and regional portfolio.
"This is just the beginning for BankWest in Victoria and as Ballarat grows, so too will our business," he said.
"Because of its proximity to Melbourne, the Ballarat district has seen a housing boom with new sub-divisions and housing approvals increasing each year."
"The region is well equipped to cater for businesses wishing to decentralise and BankWest is suitably placed to help these businesses with their growth plans."
In addition to Vin Armstrong's appointment, BankWest has also appointed former Westpac Business Manager David Sproules as Assistant Relationship Manager.
BankWest Head of Rural and Regional Jamie Ritchie said the appointment of Mr Armstrong and Mr Sproules is part of a move by BankWest to strengthen its commitment to Victorian business in the Ballarat region.
"As a bank, we are driving competition and change in the banking and finance industry by providing specialised industry experts who have the knowledge to bring the financial know-how that rural and regional businesses need," Mr Ritchie said.
You can visit Vin Armstrong and David Sproules at BankWest in Ballarat for more information, or to speak to them simply call 03 53318641 or 0427451118, Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.
