Westpac launches 50 Pacific in-store outlets

WESTPAC has opened more than 50 in-store banking outlets across the region to deliver convenient banking to local people.
It said that less than 10% of people have access to financial services in a number of Pacific countries,
Westpac reached its milestone of 50 active in-stores early this month when it launched seven in-stores in PNG.
The bank also plans to open further in-store outlets in PNG by 2014.
“In-store banking reflects our commitment to bringing banking outside Westpac branches and into local communities delivering convenience to communities in rural and remote locations,” managing director Ashleigh Matheson said.
”The relief customers show when they realise they can bank at their local store speaks volumes about the convenience of our service offers.”
Westpac’s in-store service allows customers to make a deposit or transfer funds between their accounts, all from an Eftpos machine at a participating store.
Customers can also pay bills if they and the payee are registered for Westpac bill pay, print a mini-statement or make a balance enquiry.
“With many of our customers live in remote or rural locations, we know it’s not always convenient for them to travel to a Westpac branch to do a few basic banking transactions,” Mathesonson said.
“In-store banking saves time and money by eliminating the need to travel to a branch and allowing customers to bank locally, where they shop.”
Westpac’s in-store banking service is complemented by Westpac’s comprehensive and free financial education courses, which teach communities to responsibly budget and save to reach their financial goals.
Workshops include Westpac’s “Financial first steps”, which teaches basic money management by identifying between needs and wants, tracking spending habits and budgeting.
Westpac operates in seven Pacific countries – Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Samoa.

— through a network of more than 50 branches, 110 ATMs and thousands of merchants.

“It follows that we have a responsibility to help strengthen financial literacy wherever we roll out our in-store banking service, so we help empower local communities to bank smarter and achieve their financial goals, whatever they may be,’ Matheson said,