About Westpac Pacific

Westpac Pacific is responsible for Westpac’s operations in four Pacific countries: Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. The head office is based in Sydney with Westpac Banking Corporation. Westpac Pacific employs over 1,000 people, offering a full range of banking services — from options for people new to the financial system to products geared toward large corporations and institutional clients. The bank has more than 100 ATMs and partners with thousands of merchants who provide electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS).

The Program

Westpac Pacific is an integral part of the economy, contributing to the social and environmental well-being of local communities. It has established a number of initiatives to address gender issues, acknowledging that women in the Pacific don’t always enjoy the same opportunities as women elsewhere. These initiatives include:

• – Running the annual Westpac Women in Business Awards in Papua New Guinea which recognize outstanding achievements made by women in various categories.
• – Establishing the Westpac PNG Business Women’s network to help foster a better environment for women entrepreneurs through education and networking events. Westpac Fiji also runs regular market days for budding female entrepreneurs selling handicrafts.
• – Offering Westpac Women’s Education Grants to women and girls in the region.
• – An extensive financial education program, through a funding partnership with the Pacific Financial Inclusion Program, which has minimum targets for female participation.