Westpac Wire
Latest stories
New Westpac technology to lock out scammers
Westpac plans to introduce SafeBlock - a new feature that will allow customers to block their accounts and cards via the app or online banking if they suspect they've been scammed.
By Brooke Davie
Senior Manager, Media Relations
4 mins
Westpac unveils investment product aimed at improving social outcomes
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
SCAM SPOT: Dodging the disaster chasers
By Ben Young
Head of Fraud Prevention
“Then I got angry” - Nurse was one click away from losing home to scammers
By Josh Wall
Head of Video, Westpac Wire
Uncertain world creates risk and opportunity for Australia: Miller
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
In-Depth
Ten tech trends to watch this year
The rise of artificial intelligence will herald a period of rapid technological change, says Westpac’s Chief Technology Officer David Walker, who lays out the key trends to watch in the year ahead.
By David Walker
Westpac Group Chief Technology Officer
6 mins
This consultant turned charity CEO is empowering migrant women
As we celebrate International Women's Day, former consultant turned CEO Ifrin Fittock shares how social enterprise SisterWorks is helping migrant and refugee women find work Down Under.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
5 minutes
Cyberbullying: Why high school transitions are the danger zone
Cyberbullying among the younger generations is a growing problem, especially for children just starting at high school. The good news is there are positive steps we can all take to guard against it.
By Julie Inman Grant
eSafety Commissioner
5 mins
Collette Dinnigan: the fashion icon’s new chapter
One of Australia's most successful and celebrated designers, Collette Dinnigan's clothes have been worn by Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Kylie Minogue. Now an author, she shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her glamourous world.
5 minutes
Westpac economists share their summer reading recommendations
Curious about the books economists read – and love? Whether you want to learn more about global economics or are after a more leisurely, beachside read, these pages promise to broaden your mind and take you somewhere new.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
5 minutes
Tackling tradies’ mental health, one bacon and egg roll at a time
Getting tradies to have open and honest conversations about their mental health has become a lifelong mission for Jeremy Forbes, founder of HALT Australia and a former Westpac Social Change Fellow.
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
6 mins
TECHx showcases Westpac’s tech evolution
Westpac’s TECHx event is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and is marking the occasion by showcasing the innovations which have transformed the bank over the years.
5 mins
Meet the A-team who’ve got joy down to a fine art
Studio A is helping professional artists with intellectual disabilities to gain recognition for their work and earn an income.
5 minutes
How female entrepreneurs are proving the doubters wrong
Laura Bullock, founder of Mode Pilates, is among a growing number of women taking the leap into entrepreneurship. With Westpac's backing, she is scaling her business to new heights.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
3 minutes
Surviving the Bondi Swindler: Lessons from a conman’s last victim
For Tracy Hall, the last victim of notorious conman Hamish McLaren, recovery from the emotional trauma of her experience came from learning not to blame herself, and taking control of her financial wellbeing.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
5 minutes
Australia to shake up the salt market with giant BCI project
BCI Minerals’ Mardie salt and potash project in Western Australia will look to meet growing industrial demand for salt from across Asia.
5 mins
GOOD PAIR: A lifetime of service and mateship
In 1984, Tony Waller AOM and Clay Allison saw a notice at the surf club calling for volunteers for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service. They both signed up and have remained best mates across 40 years of service.
By Todd Phillips
Lead storyteller
5 mins
Team Carlo targets gold in sport and business
Former Olympian Carlo Massimino is drawing on his experience as an elite athlete to help build a successful Taekwondo business.
By Josh Wall
Head of Video, Westpac Wire
4 mins
A plan to disrupt philanthropy, $5 at a time
Australians are not giving as much to charity as they used to. Brianna Kerr has an innovative plan to address the decline.
By Brianna Kerr
Social entrepreneur
5 mins
Blue tree project sets this community rugby league club apart
The Bowen Seagulls have been named NRL community club of the year for their work in promoting healthy conversations around mental wellbeing.
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
5 mins
Building a world where kindness and respect thrive
This R U OK? Day, let’s recognise the resilience of young people as they navigate a complex, ever-changing digital world filled with both opportunities and challenges.
By Rosie Thomas OAM
Co-founder and Executive Director
6 mins
Westpac’s big red “W” turns 50
The inside story behind how Westpac’s iconic big red “W” came into being.
By Kim Eberhard
Head of Historical Services, Westpac
4 mins
Bright young minds bring fresh thinking to future tech challenges
Westpac is investing in talent from diverse academic backgrounds to tackle complex and future-leaning problems.
By Liam Cormican
Reporter
5 mins
This Martian-inspired space scientist is on a mission
To mark National Science Week, Westpac Scholar Georgi Coddington tells Wire about the Astra Program and how it’s inspiring young Aussies to get involved in the space industry.
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
5 mins
GOOD PAIR: A bond that echoes across the miles
When Suzi Hullick, Westpac’s Head of Inclusion & Diversity, met Noema Leituala she had no doubt Noema would be the perfect candidate for her Echo Leadership Program aimed at empowering Indigenous leaders of the future.
By Leah Mitchell
Graduate
6 mins
Whitsundays are a rich palette for this business banker
Vicki Leith is never bored in her role as a Senior Business Banking Manager for Westpac in the Whitsundays, servicing customers across a broad range of industries in this vibrant regional economy.
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
5 mins
The unlikely partnership that’s inspiring Indigenous youth in tech
To mark NAIDOC Week, Wire shone the spotlight on Ethan Indigenous, who are empowering Aboriginal communities through education and employment in tech.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
4 minutes
One woman’s mission to end Australia’s hidden slavery problem
If you thought that slavery had been consigned to history, then think again. Sally Irwin, Founder of The Freedom Hub, has dedicated the last decade to combating this hidden crisis.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
5 minutes
A love story that led to a farming empire
She may have grown up a farmer’s daughter, but Felicity Richards may have been lost to the industry had it not been for a chance encounter with her neighbour.
By Hannah Stenning
Corporate Affairs Lead
5 mins
SME SECRETS: The One Six
Shiv Rennie is channelling her lifelong passion for fashion design into a start-up business offering a range of beautifully made sustainable garments.
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
6 mins
Beef’s big week shines a spotlight on the industry
Beef Week is a triennial celebration of Australia’s cattle industry, and an opportunity to showcase the technology that is helping farmers boost the sustainability and efficiency of their operations.
By Sarah Williamson
Video producer
5 mins
The Indigenous tea business that won Gordon Ramsay’s seal of approval
From a café on Flinders Street to the stage of Food Stars, Troy Benjamin details what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur, while bringing Indigenous culture to a wider audience.
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
6 mins
Two minutes with NRLW community champ Tahlulah Tillett
Through the highs and lows of her rugby league career, Tahlulah Tillett knows she has the backing of the community where she grew up. That’s why she never misses an opportunity to give back.
5 mins
How Mr Squiggle introduced the computer age
The artist behind Mr Squiggle – the ABC TV puppet that kept Aussie children entertained for four decades – played a key role in introducing Westpac’s first computer to a wary workforce.
By Kim Eberhard
Head of Historical Services, Westpac
5 mins
Renewables giant has big plans in Australia
ACEN Australia has an ambitious pipeline of renewable energy projects across multiple technologies, positioning it to be a key player in the country’s clean energy transition.
6 mins
Money Matters
SCAM SPOT: What’s trending?
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Romance scammers are stealing hearts – and life savings
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
“Goldilocks” consumer sentiment offers comfort for RBA
By Matthew Hassan
Senior Economist, Westpac
SCAM SPOT: How to avoid the money mule trap
By Ben Young
Head of Fraud Prevention
FX BEAT: Why a weaker A$ is a useful “shock absorber”
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
An elaborate investment scam almost costs one man $300,000
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
Australia outperforming global peers in scam prevention
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Holiday hacks to stay cool, calm and protected
By Sally Youden
Senior Information Security Consultant
Ask an expert: Using your super to invest in property
By Tim Howard
Technical consultant
PODCAST: How to navigate Australia’s evolving payments landscape
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Hardest scam to spot nearly costs homebuyer $1.2 million
By Hannah Stenning
Corporate Affairs Lead
Business cashflow is improving on disciplined cost control
By Pat Bustamante
Senior Economist, Westpac Group
Consumers are feeling more confident, with caveats
By Matthew Hassan
Senior Economist, Westpac
LUCI’S CALL: Inflation outlook keeps Feb rate cut in play
By Luci Ellis
Chief Economist, Westpac
SCAM SPOT: What’s trending?
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Aussies are saving the bulk of their tax cut income boost
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
FX BEAT: A$ could be biggest loser from a Trump win
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Westpac fintech collaboration puts more control in customer hands
By Lisa Parrett
Senior Media Relations Manager
How to be gamble aware this spring racing season
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
SME SECRETS: Your Space Oceania
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
BT’s plan to boost the ranks of financial advisers
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Iron-willed refugee’s inspiring path to business success
By Hannah Stenning
Corporate Affairs Lead
ASK AN EXPERT: Retirees and property
By Tim Howard
Technical consultant
Power down: Eight ways to reduce your energy bill
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
SCAM SPOT: Biller beware
By Ben Young
Head of Fraud Prevention
Businesses feeling more confident to invest for growth
By Pat Bustamante
Senior Economist, Westpac Group
“Nick off!” Mum catches out a scammer, with Westpac’s help
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
Stopping scammers before they scam you
By Carolyn McCann
Westpac Group Executive, Customer & Corporate Services
Making News
Consumer sentiment hits 3-year high on rate cut, easing inflation
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Australia’s housing market is “delicately poised”
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Business balance sheets are looking healthier as economy recovers
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Westpac contract with NSW Government cements enduring partnership
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Westpac teams with Lawpath to help ease SME pain points
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Strong lending growth points to regional business renaissance
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Consumer sentiment starts year on a downbeat note
By Luci Ellis
Chief Economist, Westpac
Sentiment setback points to consumer uncertainty on economic outlook
By Matthew Hassan
Senior Economist, Westpac
King signs off as CEO with Westpac well placed for the future
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
LUCI’S CALL: Rate cut is getting closer
By Luci Ellis
Chief Economist, Westpac
LUCI’S CALL: Rate cuts seen later, but at a faster pace
By Luci Ellis
Chief Economist, Westpac
Westpac plans business banker hiring spree
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Trump’s bark may be worse than his bite on trade
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Banking industry initiative aims to tackle financial abuse
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
LUCI’S CALL: Cooling inflation won’t trigger early rate cut
By Luci Ellis
Chief Economist, Westpac
10,000 reasons why Westpac Foundation supports an inclusive workforce
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Why Indigenous engagement is no longer the elephant in the room
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Virescent fund aims to empower climate tech innovators
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Trump vs Harris: what it means for the Australian economy
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Australia’s scam hotspots revealed
By Marina Gainulina
Content Producer
Fed’s bold rate cut leaves RBA as global outlier
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Aussies turn to budgeting tools to help manage cost-of-living pressures
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
Teens targeted by social media scams
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
HOME OPEN: It’s red-hot in Perth, chilly in Melbourne
By Matthew Hassan
Senior Economist, Westpac
Westpac to roll out payee verification feature for businesses
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire
OpShop project is empowering First Nations entrepreneurs
By James Thornhill
Editor, Westpac Wire