Rapidly growing HBOS Australia subsidiary, BankWest, has expanded its rural and regional footprint in Victoria with the appointment of two Business Banking Managers in Mildura.
John Bloomfield and Ron Haines are BankWest's first rural and regional representation in Mildura and bring over sixty years banking experience to the region.
Head of Rural and Regional Banking, Jamie Ritchie said Mildura was selected for BankWest's rural and regional expansion because of its growth potential and the mounting demand from businesses in the region for competitive financial providers.
"BankWest will create further competition in the banking and financial services sector in Mildura which will ultimately mean more competitive rates and products for businesses in the region," Mr Ritchie said.
"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 Bloomfield's thirty-plus years in the banking industry, including at ANZ and Westpac, makes him well placed to take on the commercial, corporate and agribusiness portfolio in the region, as part of a team headed by Head of Rural and Regional Business Banking Jamie Ritchie.
Mr Haines worked for Westpac for thirty-plus years, including two years in Mildura, before moving to the North Coast, New South Wales in 1996. He worked for Suncorp in Central Queensland as district Manager before joining BankWest in December last year.
Mr Bloomfield said Mildura was an important region in Victoria particularly in terms of its horticulture and food processing.
"Mildura is one of the highest producing horticultural districts in Australia so it is a very important region for BankWest," Mr Bloomfield said.
"The region is also well known for its food processing plants and the availability of water and the quality of soils will ensure Mildura remains a large food producer and contribute to its continued growth."
BankWest's rural and regional banking on the east coast has experienced 100% annual growth for the past two years and this continues in 2007.
You can visit John Bloomfield and Ron Haines at BankWest in Mildura, or for more information speak to John on 0427440192 or Ron on 0428979205.
The BankWest office is located at 150 Pine Avenue, and services customers throughout the Mildura region and surrounding areas.
ENDS
Media Inquiries:
Bridget Tombleson
Media Relations Manager, HBOS Australia
bridget.tombleson@hbosa.com.au
Tel: (08) 9449 6768 or 0407 084 359
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.
