CAPTION: Westpac’s Vodo Shaw delivering a financial literacy workshop at Galoa Island. Photo: SUPPLIED.
Westpac has brought convenient banking to the doorsteps of communities of Dama, Senilagi Village and Galoa Island in Bua Vanualevu, with its Everywhere Banking team delivering empowering financial literacy sessions and opening bank accounts for local villagers.
Village halls, the verandas of local homes – and even the back of a Westpac vehicle- were converted into banking hubs with the latest banking technology and real-time connectivity allowing villagers to open accounts instantly. Villagers mainly opted for the Westpac Choice Basic Account, an everyday account that does not charge a standard monthly fee – and they had the convenience of receiving their handycards at the same time.
Westpac’s Mela Levula and Sovi Were opening accounts in Senilagi Village in Bua. Photo: SUPPLIED.
Given that six Westpac In-store Banking merchants are located in the Bua area, Westpac Everywhere Banking officers also educated customers on using the service, which allows cash withdrawals, cash deposits, funds transfers between accounts, purchases, mini statements and balance enquiries. New customers also received financial literacy training through Westpac’s Financial First Steps workshop, which teaches basic money management and savings skills.
Westpac Fiji’s General Manager, Adrian Hughes said, “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.”
”The relief customers show when they realise they can bank at their local store speaks volumes about the convenience our service offers,” he added.
On the delivery of financial literacy, Mr Hughes added, “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.”
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.
PRESS RELEASE