Bankwest Car Loan

Back in 1895, they were recognised as the Agricultural Bank of Western Australia and offer a range of vehicle financing solutions.

They serviced all the needs of the farmers and they were set up by the WA Government. Back in those days, the only way you could be successful was to be on the road. The WA is a big empty land now, but you should have seen it back then. Their employees would often sleep outdoors while travelling between the farms, let’s call it client visits.  They can comfortably say that they did go the extra mile for their clients whether they need a short-term loan or a large business loan.

Their proud history

By the year of 1923 they expanded and had 8 district offices throughout WA, they converted into a trading bank in 1945 under a new name, the Rural and Industrial Bank of Western Australia also known as R&I.

By 1947 they were large enough and the safe which was placed in their Morawa Branch crashed right through the floorboards. Their employees, they unperturbed about this and carried on about their business anyway, they would cut through the floorboards to enable them to deposit their client's cash 18 inches below floor level every day. Their employees have a history of inventiveness, don’t you think?

In 1956 they became a savings bank about 11 weeks after the bank of NSW (Westpac) and ANZ, the game was on and they were in the running, they were also ahead of other big banks as well as somewhat competitive in the best imaginable way.

They presented all sorts of firsts in the 60’s and 70’s and ascertained that they were a more credible competitor in the Big 4.

They launched drive-in bank branches, the very first cash dispenser (before the ATM’s) in WA and the ‘blue light’ Signature certification units.

Unfortunately, drive-in banks are a thing of the past and no longer exist.  They were the first bank in WA to employ woman permanently training them into telling positions, and they were the first bank in Australia to implement electronic data processing.

Stepping into the big league

In 1985 their first branch was opened in Sydney this was a big step for they, stepping into the big league! Their client base had developed way beyond WA Farmers and so another name change was to be announced, in 1994 they became the Bank of Western Australia and traded under the name Bankwest.

An innovative Bankwest Store

At the age of 113 they joined the Commonwealth Bank Group and became part of Australia’s largest financial services provider, now that’s not bad going considering that they only started out with 2 people back in the day.

They haven’t forgotten their authentic farming past. They strive to keep their clients happy and will do whatever it takes.