BankWest has Griffith expansion in its sights

Griffith Mayor Dino Zappacosta and key members of the local business community welcomed BankWest to Griffith on Thursday night at the official opening of the BankWest Business Banking Centre in Griffith.

BankWest has been in the region for six years in Wagga Wagga but only recently opened its new Business Banking Centre in Griffith confirming the bank's commitment to the region.

BankWest's Head of Rural and Regional Jamie Ritchie said Griffith was a major centre in NSW with a diverse range of businesses including agricultural, wine and manufacturing industries and BankWest was pleased to open a business centre offering specialist rural and regional services.

"BankWest is growing rapidly so it makes sense to open a dedicated Business Banking Centre in Griffith which is a major centre and is also experiencing strong growth." 

"BankWest has listened to feedback from businesses in many different areas and identified a clear need for specialised banking services across various industry sectors," he said.

"We know the region well as we've already been here for six years and our 110 year history as an agricultural bank in Western Australia, gives us solid experience in rural and regional matters." 

Griffith Mayor Dino Zappacosta cut the official ribbon at the opening and said the dedicated BankWest Business Banking Centre was a vote of confidence for the area's economic development.

"It's great to see BankWest bringing new competition into Griffith and investing in the region. BankWest sees the inherent opportunities delivered through our high performing business sector and locals will win through better deals and services from the new competition," Mr Zappacosta said.

BankWest has a growth strategy to become a significant force in Australian financial services, through a strategy focusing on driving competition and change in the banking industry. 

"We have made a significant investment in our future here in Griffith.  We have a modern business bank premises with the latest technology and systems and, more importantly, we have recruited the very best bankers in the local area," Mr Ritchie said.

BankWest continues its assault on the Australian banking industry with the roll-out of more than 160 major new retail and commercial banking centres in 2007 and 2008.

"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.

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.

Bridget Tombleson, HBOSA Corporate Affairs, 08 9449 6768 / 0407084 359
Jasmin Walker, HBOSA Corporate Affairs, 08 9449 6124 / 0407 902 267

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