Bank of Scotland backed BankWest says it plans to open 40 to 50 new branches over the course of calendar 2008 on the east coast after opening its first New South Wales branch today.
BankWest also said that it had no "specific plans for RAMS", dousing speculation it would consider making a rival bid for the non-bank lenders' franchise network.
"We do keep an eye on things, but at the moment we've got no plans and we're very excited about our organic (growth) opportunities," Bankwest retail chief executive Ian Corfield said.
Mr Corfield was speaking today at the launch of the first branch opening in Bankwest's 160-branch east coast expansion strategy in Parramatta.
BankWest announced today it would open another seven stores in New South Wales by the end of the calendar year.
Mr Corfield said the bank planned to have another 40 or 50 opened by the end of calendar 2008, with the first Victorian branch to be opened in the first quarter and the first Queensland branch to be opened in the middle of the year. Source: AAP
