275 Kent St Sydney NSW 2000 : T 02 8254 0649 : westpac.com.au
Media Release.
24 August 2009
Westpac number one for small business
Westpac has been named Australia's number one financial institution for small business banking by
CANSTAR CANNEX winning their Best Value National Award.
In announcing the award, CANSTAR CANNEX said Westpac demonstrated commitment to backing
business in a particularly challenging year and were impressed by Westpac’s continued push
towards improvement for their business customers.
CANSTAR CANNEX rated more than 340 term loans, 69 overdrafts, 39 credit cards and 88 deposit
accounts from financial providers who meet the special needs of small business.
Westpac’s General Manager, Business Banking, Sian Lewis, said the award recognised the priority
Westpac puts on supporting small business navigate the economic climate. This year Westpac has
put around 180 local business bankers in branches as a primary contact to support SMEs which is
part of a program to triple the number of local business bankers, a range of competitive products
and services for SMEs but also the focus supporting small business with experts they can talk to
face to face,
Small Businesses are also benefitting from a national program to bring back the Bank Manager
"We’ve been backing small business this year by putting more bankers in more locations, boosting
education and advice for our customers and by delivering expertise to help business owners
navigate the difficult economic landscape.
Westpac have already hired 160 Bank Managers in its biggest and busiest branches with more than
400 in place by the end of this year.
“Ultimately we’ll have Bank Managers in all our branches by mid next year who are out and about
serving the needs of their local communities.
"We've been backing the growth and development of small business in Australia since we opened
our doors 192 years ago. The current economic climate is no different, we believe we have to invest
to grow in the future and we are doing that.
"We're confident in small business sector are backing them with a program to build their confidence
in their future. Their health means the Australian economy stays on track.
Westpac's package of measures to support SMEs has included:
Supporting businesses with more education and advice to help with cash flow: in 2009 we have
boosted our program of workshops for business by more than 30% so more than 5000
For further Information
Julia Collard
Media Relations
0409 311 176
jcollard@westpac.com.au
customers can attend expert sessions on everything from managing their cash flow in tough
times, to presentations from our world-class economists, to business gurus and cash flow
experts. SMEs can get a taste of what information and tools are available with our free 10
Investing in our local presence with more than $50 million being spent on more experts in more
locations. Westpac opened 20 new branches this year plus 5 specialist Business Banking
Centres bringing the network of one-stop shops for business around the nation to 61.
Westpac's Business Banking Centres provide advice tailored for business on managing their
cash-flow, traditional banking needs, equipment finance, building wealth, and trade.
Expanded the operations of the Cash Flow Solutions Group. Formed in April 2007, Cash Flow
Solutions Group unites a specialist team of experts who help customers in cash flow
management. We recognise that business owners need so much more from their bank than
debt, so we have increased our transactional banking capability. Our experts focus on
educating and then enabling business with the right products and solutions for their situation.
Providing Financial Hardship support - Westpac has earmarked additional funding to expand
Westpac Assist to support business customers. Westpac Assist is a team of specialists who
support both consumers and businesses in financial difficulty by providing assistance to help
them find the best possible way to regain and maintain control over their finances. Customers
facing financial difficulties in relation to their Westpac loans or accounts can contact Westpac
Assist on 1800 067 497.
"We're here to help SMEs plan over the long term and as the best value business bank we are
worth considering as a business partner so visit your nearest branch to sit down with your local
small business expert," Ms Lewis concluded.
ends
For Further information
Julia Collard
Media Relations
0409 311 176
jcollard@westpac.com.au
NEWS 
