Westpac woos expats

LONDON: Westpac is to reopen a branch for retail customers in the heart of London in an attempt to tap into the expatriate banking market.

The bank has had a presence in London since 1853 but in recent years has focused mainly on corporate clients after closing a handful of retail branches in the late 1990s. Westpac's migrant and expatriate banking UK senior manager Anthony Davison said a new retail branch would open next year in the financial district.

The cashless branch will focus on helping expat Australian and New Zealand customers manage their finances as well as open accounts for those planning to move Downunder.

"The reopening of a Westpac retail banking branch in the City of London is an important first step in providing better support and service to those aspiration Australians and New Zealanders in the UK and also those aspiring to live in Australia or New Zealand," Davison said.

- AAP