ANZ to focus on enhancing Pacific ops

AUSTRALIA & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) has continued its investment in the Pacific in the 2010 financial year with focus on building a strong and sustainable regional bank by enhancing customers’ banking experience, investing in core capability, developing local leaders, and supporting Pacific communities.
ANZ recently announced its full-year results in which it posted a net profit after tax of US$132 million, about K3.5 billion for its Pacific business this year.
Chief executive officer for Pacific, Michael Rowland, in an email said: “Our investment in the region reflects our commitment to being part of the Pacific’s ongoing development by providing affordable and reliable banking services to customers across 12 Pacific countries.
“Our investment included refurbishing branches in Lae and Mt Hagen to enhance the banking experience for our customers in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
“We also relocated a branch in Gizo in the Solomon Islands, and will open a new branch in Suva, Fiji by the end of the year,” Rowland added.
In the 2010 financial year, ANZ launched ANZ eGate, a secure electronic payment gateway allowing merchants to accept online credit card payments and allowing customers to pay in their preferred currency.