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26 July 2007

Westpac House officially joins the Adelaide skyline

The Hon Minister Paul Holloway MLC will join Westpac Group Executive, Business Financial Services, Peter Hanlon and Westpac South Australian Executive Committee Chairman, Graham Walters, at tonight's launch of 'Westpac House', the iconic Adelaide office building formerly named 'Santos House'.

Mr Hanlon described the re-branding of the landmark office building as the next step in Westpac's investment in South Australia which includes a significant upgrade of the bank's South Australian branch network.

"Westpac has had an active banking presence in South Australia since we first opened our doors here in 1877," Mr Hanlon said.

"As part of our commitment to the future, we have made a significant investment in the State, by adding customer-facing staff and committing to open or upgrade a number of branches here over the next year."

On a personal note, Mr Hanlon said it was a great thrill to return to South Australia, where his banking career began, for this significant event. Mr Hanlon studied at the University of South Australia and joined Westpac from the Bank of South Australia in 1995.

Mr Walters said Westpac now had more than 150 employees in the iconic King William Street building, which was its new Adelaide head office.

"We're delighted to have secured the signage on this prominent Adelaide building. Our launch today of the re-branded Westpac House is a fitting next step in our long-term commitment to our employees, customers and the community in South Australia," Mr Walters said.

Westpac moved its corporate office to the landmark building in June last year and completed a significant refurbishment which has captured all the elements of the bank's Great Places to Work office design strategy.

Mr Walters said the refurbishment had created a more flexible and adaptable workplace that featured a variety of spaces for different work requirements and a number of client meeting rooms.

Westpac is one of the largest private enterprise employers in South Australia and has a workforce of more than 3000 people across the State. The diverse workforce includes a number of specialists in funds management, business and agribusiness banking. Westpac also operates 48 branches and in-stores throughout the State, with six branches open for Saturday trading.

Westpac's investment in its branch network includes the newly completed Seaford Branch and upgrade of the bank's 1 King William Street, Adelaide and Gawler branches. The refurbishment of Westpac's Grenfell and Hutt Street branches and the new Mawson Lakes branch would also be completed this year.

Westpac has also invested in the local community, through partnerships with the Adelaide Zoo's 'Westpac EnviroDome', Surf Life Saving South Australia, SA Great and Landcare. Westpac South Australian employees donated over $45,000 to more than 70 charities in the last year, which was matched dollar for dollar by Westpac through its Matching Gifts program.