New baby becomes first customer at Westpac Sylvia Park
Westpac today introduces full service seven-day banking with the opening of a new branch in the first phase of New
Zealand's largest shopping centre, Sylvia Park. The first Westpac branch to open with extended hours and full service
banking Saturdays, Sundays and late night Thursdays and Fridays, The Sylvia Park branch has been set up in direct
response to the needs of the customer.
The first customer, served by Westpac CEO Ann Sherry, was 11 week old Ruby Henwood who's mum Melissa Henwood had brought
her into Sylvia Park Westpac to open up a savings account. Mrs Henwood said "I think you're never too young to save, and
its often a tradition when a baby is born to open a savings account for their future, so that's what we've done for Ruby
today!" Ann spent some time chatting to young Ruby, perhaps giving her some early words of financial advice?
Speaking today at the opening of the Sylvia Park shopping complex Ann Sherry said the new branch was a sign of things to
come in terms of investment Auckland.
"Our new branch at Sylvia Park kicks-off a continuing investment in our branch network in Auckland, aimed at improving
convenience and customer service for the greater Auckland region," said Ms Sherry.
"Our extended trading hours at Sylvia Park are part of our drive to offer customers increased flexibility in their
access to banking," she said.
Westpac's new branch at Sylvia Park will cater to the local communities of over 600,000 people living within a 20-minute
drive of Sylvia Park.
Aaron Hooper, new manager of the Sylvia Park branch, explained how everything down to the branch's physical design is
geared towards creating a customer friendly environment. The branch has a retail feel in its design, with warm fabrics
and colours and a transparent and open look with more than 55m of glass front and back lighting.
Aaron Hooper also talked about a unique creative feature of the branch –'Kiwi' art "We are really lucky to have a
specially commissioned art installation in the branch created by New Zealand artist Jeff Thompson. Together with the NZ
we music will be playing, this makes for a fantastic branch environment."
Jeff Thomspon, who currently exhibiting at Te Papa, also took time out to attend the branch opening with CEO Ann Sherry.
His work, entitled 'Lava' which features the volcanic theme present throughout the Sylvia Park development, is now
permanently on display in the branch.
To celebrate the branch opening a range of 'Red Ribbon' specials have been launched including cash draws, discounted
lending rates and premium term deposit rates, more details of which can be found and are only available in the new
Sylvia Park branch.
ENDS