WESTPAC Regional General Manager for South Coast, Troy Feddder has unveiled bold plans to make Westpac the leading bank in the region by boosting the bank’s investment in the area, including bringing back the Bank Manager to give more personalised service.

“Under a program called Westpac Local - which is about getting closer to customers by investing in more branches and business banking centres as well as introducing more expertise in its network - Westpac is bringing back the Bank Manager in every branch by mid 2010,” Troy says.

“Five are already in our branches in South Coast, including Bombala, and I’ve also put in two Local Business Bankers this year who are small business experts based in our branches.

Under Westpac’s Local initiative the role of Regional General Manager was recently created to support the grassroots model of banking.

“A key element of my role as the Regional General Manager in South Coast is to be more local in our approach and I’ve been given the resources to do that,” Troy said.

“Recently we have done some fundraising for a few local surf life saving clubs, the Shoalhaven on Show, as well as participating in the recent dragon boat racing in Nowra and supporting some local breast cancer fundraising events.

“I’m also overseeing a program of significant investment in our branches with over $500,000 being spent on upgrading branches on the South Coast this year, with more work in the pipeline for 2010.”

Troy explained that Westpac first opened a branch in the area in 1874 in Cooma, and that the investment in the local branches will complement the services provided by Westpac’s 12 sites on the South Coast.

Initially the biggest and busiest Westpac branches are getting a Bank Manager, which is a return to the traditional model of banking where the position has the autonomy to make decisions for customers locally and to provide personal advice.

“As well as working with our customers, I am keen to further increase our support of the local community through partnerships such as our one with Caresouth, a local youth mentoring program, where we have helped raise funds and awareness via signage on our ATM network across the region,” Troy said.

“I am also looking forward to opportunities to be involved in events and activities.”