Westpac

The first-of-its-kind program has been announced by Westpac, the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program (PFIP) and the Australian Government.

Choice Wantok is a new low-cost banking option specifically developed to suit people in the Highlands, an area where most people have never been able to access even basic banking services. 

Central to Choice Wantok will be a new Innovation Hub set up at Mount Hagen, bringing the latest technology to the Highlands and allowing Westpac to test ideas and tailor its services to meet the specific needs of remote communities.

The open day market provided support to micro and small businesswomen to show off their products to new customers and expand their networks.

Westpac retail banking coach leadership and change, Alipate Suguturaga said Westpac is an advocate for women as they’re the backbone of society in terms of growing economies.

Suguturaga said, “We are so humbled by what we saw, women entrepreneurs going about their tasks selling various items from food to art, flowers, jewelry and cosmetics.

Everyone is invited to the market, which will be held in the carpark of the bank’s Waigani office (opposite Theodist) from 9am until 1pm on Saturday, 25th March.

There will be something to interest all members of the family, including household items, clothes, shoes, jewelry, cakes, food, jams, paintings, furniture, pot plants, toys and much more.

With the quickest response time of all available terminals, the new Westpac EFTPOS promises to take the stress out of shopping and improve business for retailers.

To be one of the first to use the new Westpac EFTPOS terminal, visit Shop N Stop Harbourside from 11am until 3pm on Wednesday 13 July.

Each customer who makes a purchase using the new Westpac EFTPOS terminal will receive a free sausage sizzle.

These walks started in March and are slowly gaining popularity within the group.  If you are lucky, you might see a group of people in red walking the downtown surrounds every Wednesday afternoon. 

Head of Retail Banking Cameron Penfold said: "As part of our commitment to health, safety, wellbeing and employee care, we promote a healthy living lifestyle for our employees and we encourage staff members to do regular exercises so that they are healthy.  Being healthy contributes to them being productive at work and in every other aspect of their lives.”

Westpac PNG’s Managing Director, Geoff Toone said: “This card will appeal to anyone who, like me, is a big Hunters fan and wants to assist the team to develop its players and make even bigger strides on the international rugby scene.” 

“Rugby League has a great following in PNG and the Hunters have a gained a lot of popularity since they began playing in 2014,” Toone said.  

RNZ International understands the Australian bank has written to the country's government asking to end their years-long relationship over several concerns about the use of the accounts.

The decision will not affect regular cutomers who make banking transactions to Nauru.

The completion of the sale was done last week after both banks obtained necessary statutory, regulatory and third party approvals from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands.

The acquisition process started early this year, and in July, BSP acquired  the Westpac operations in Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga.

BSP chairman Sir Kostas Constantinou said, “BSP has been working closely with CBSI and has fulfilled the necessary requirements and it is pleasing to note that the central bank has responded positively.

“Both BSP and Westpac are committed to the acquisition and are working religiously towards a likely completion of sale by the end of October.”

The acquisition is in line with BSP’s Pacific based expansion strategy, which has been maintained since 2006.

Bank of South Pacific (BSP) is working closely with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) to obtain the necessary approvals and discussions with the CBSI have been positive and have well-progressed.

This was revealed in a statement by BSP Group chairman Kostas Constantinou.

He says BSP is confident for a positive conclusion of the new application that is before the CBSI to allow the transaction to proceed shortly thereafter.