Media releases
Westpac sets up temporary bank branch at Brisbane flood evacuation centre
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 end of today.
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 flood-affected 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 |
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 132 142, Westpac Assist on phone 1800 067 497 or for Home and Contents Insurance on 1300 369 989.