Bank on the bank

DANDENONG South business owner Krystyna Pieterson said workers from Westpac Fountain Gate branch should ‘stick to their day jobs’ after taking part in a Westpac business support program last week.
The ‘Walk in Your Shoes’ program sees local Westpac Bank managers and business banking staff spending time working alongside local business owners as a way of offering a more specific service.
Fountain Gate branch Westpac Bank manager John Emile and local business banker Caroline Connally worked at Dandenong South business Metaltex Australia as part of the program last week.
“There is much more to running a business than sheet metal fabrication, and by spending the day Krystyna and her team, Caroline and I were able to see first hand how the place works and offer what advice we could to assist the business,” Mr Emile said. “I know my strengths and I can assure you I am no threat to my colleagues at Metaltex who were all very patient and friendly and made the experience of getting a closer look at how the business works a lot of fun.”
Ms Pieterson said it’s not everyday the local bank manager and business banker come to you to help support your business.
“What makes this program so worthwhile is that I didn’t have to take time out of my hectic day to go to the bank to ask for help,” she said. “This time the bank came to me.”