Westpac has today announced it is bringing its pilot Community Banking Service to three regional Victorian towns – Woodend, St Arnaud and Wedderburn.
The expansion into Victoria follows the early success of the service which has been piloting in regional New South Wales and recently launched in Queensland, reflecting the growing demand for flexible banking options that combine face-to-face support with digital services.
Through the Community Banking Service, Westpac bankers visit participating towns fortnightly, providing customers with access to in-person support and expertise.
Westpac Chief Executive, Consumer, Carolyn McCann, says the service is being trialled to support the unique needs and expectations of regional communities.
“Whether it’s helping a farmer manage seasonal cashflow, supporting a small business owner pursing growth or expansion opportunities, or assisting customers with their everyday banking needs, having access to a banker you can speak to face-to-face still matters,” McCann said.
“Early feedback of our Community Banking Service has been really positive, and we look forward to bringing the trial into Victoria.
“This expansion means the service will now be operating in 14 regional towns across three states, bringing the reassurance of in-person banking services to over 65,000 people living in these communities.”
The visiting banker can help customers with everyday tasks like opening a new account, updating information, activating a new card and more complex tasks like setting up account signatories or powers of attorney. Specialist home lenders and business bankers will also visit towns as required.
