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SYDNEY - BankWest plans to open 40 to 50 new branches on the east coast of Australia next year as part of a 160-branch east-coast expansion strategy.
The foreign-backed bank also said it had no "specific plans for RAMS", dousing speculation it would consider making a rival bid for the non-bank lender's franchise network.
Retail chief executive Ian Corfield said yesterday, "We do keep an eye on things, but at the moment we've got no plans and we're very excited about our organic [growth] opportunities."
BankWest announced it would open another seven stores in NSW by the end of this calendar year.
- AAP
