Westpac sets up temporary bank branch at Brisbane flood evacuation centre. Reopened Westpac branches can cash QLD Government cheques for people even if they are not members of Westpac.
Westpac has set up a Mobile Banking Centre at Brisbane’s primary flood evacuation
precinct allowing displaced victims of the devastating Queensland floods to perform basic
banking transactions and cash emergency relief cheques.
Additionally, a number of Westpac branches have now reopened for business in flood affected
areas.
The Mobile Banking Centre will be available for anyone to cash government emergency
relief cheques – not just customers of Westpac - and will be set up at the RNA
Showgrounds located at Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills from midday today.
The temporary branch will be staffed by Westpac staff and allow evacuees and others to
withdraw cash from their accounts as well as cash emergency relief cheques which have
been issued by the Queensland Government.
Staff will also be able to field enquiries from Westpac customers about their mortgages,
credit-card limits and payments, and generally help as much as possible.
“Westpac is there to do whatever it can to support Queensland in its time of need,“
Westpac Queensland State General Manager Retail, Andy Fell, said.
“We want to give peace of mind to our customers, which is why we are taking banking
services out to them.
“Our Westpac staff will be on the ground at the evacuation centre to help victims of the
flood get access to their money, cash emergency-relief cheques or just assist in any way
that they can,” Mr Fells said.
Mobile EFTPOS access is also being arranged for the mobile Banking Centre by the.
Circumstances permitting, another temporary branch is also planned for the Ipswich
Showgrounds. However every effort will also be made to reopen Westpac branches as
soon as possible in flood-affected areas which were closed for reasons other than water
damage.
Additionally, a number of Westpac branches have now reopened for business in floodaffected
areas:
TOOWONG Cnr Sherwood and Jephson St's
ARANA HILLS Patricks Rd
BEERWAH Beerwah Marketplace
SANDGATE Brighton Rd
GEEBUNG Robinson Rd Virginia
INDOORPILLY Indooroopilly Shoppingtown
MT OMMANEY Dandenong Rd
SUNNYBANK HILLS Cnr Pinelands and Beenleigh Rd
ACACIA RIDGE Beaudesert Rd
GATTON Railway St
THE GAP Waterworks Rd
NARANGBA Narangba Commercial Centre
SPRINGFIELD Centenary Highway
STRATHPINE Gympie Rd
ASPLEY Gympie Rd
BOONAH High St
NAMBOUR Westpac House
COOLUM BEACH The Element at Coolum
HAMILTON Racecourse Rd
TEWANTIN Poinciana Ave
TOOMBUL Sandgate Rd
BRIBIE ISLAND Bribie Island S'Centre
For a list of branches which are still closed, please refer to Westpac’s website at:
http://www.westpac.com.au/qld-flood-update/
Earlier today the Westpac Group announced it would contribute a total of $1 million to
support relief and recovery activities in the flood devastated areas of Brisbane and the
broader South-East Queensland region, following an initial contribution of $400,000
announced on December 30 2010.
Westpac’s disaster-relief package also offers:
? Affected customers with Westpac home loans may apply to defer repayments for
up to three months.
? Affected businesses with existing loans should contact their Relationship
Manager.
? Affected credit card customers may request an emergency credit limit increase.
? Affected credit card customer may apply defer payments to their card for 90 days
? Customers wishing to purchase replacement goods may apply for a personal
loan at a discounted rate with no establishment fee
? Westpac will waive interest penalties for affected customers wishing to withdraw
term deposits.
Westpac Home and Contents Insurance policies provide flood cover, and affected
Westpac customers with home and contents insurance may be eligible to receive
assistance including emergency funds and temporary accommodation.
Westpac urges customers who wish to utilise these special relief measures or who need
assistance with lost credit cards or insurance to contact their local Bank Manager or
Relationship Manager or to call Westpac Telephone Banking on 132 032, Business Direct
on phone 132 772, or Westpac Assist on phone 1800 067 497.