Westpac returns to traditional banking model

The initiative is a return to the traditional model of banking where the Bank Manager has the autonomy to make decisions for customers locally and to provide professional advice.

“Under a program called Westpac Local, which is about getting closer to customers by investing in more branches and Business Banking Centres, Westpac will bring back the Bank Manager in every branch by mid 2010,” said Ms Gageler.

“Lake Haven and Tuggerah already have Bank Managers in place, whose financial expertise and decision making powers will make finance management assistance more accessible in the area. We’ve also hired six Local Business Bankers in our Central Coast branches, who are small business experts, to assist local business in ensuring that they are making the most of their cash.”

“Part of my role as Acting Regional General Manager on the Central Coast is also to be more local in my approach by understanding the unique and currently challenging economic character of the area, and responding to that by providing the most appropriate services. For example, I’ve been empowered to make decisions locally including local credit decisions and seminars for our business clients,” Ms Gageler said.

Westpac employs 120 staff on the Central Coast, both in Branches and in their Business Banking Centre. This number will be boosted via the Westpac Local initiative by another fourteen employees. “As well as working with our customers, we are keen to further increase our support of the local community through partnerships with local community groups,” said Ms Gageler.

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