Westpac bank of Tonga

Hi folks,

Does anybody have an opinion regarding the Westpac bank in Tonga?

I just got interviewed for a position with them, and as you know, despite the knife throwing, I still want to return to Tonga.

How do they compare, from a customers point of view, with ANZ and the Bank of Tonga?

God? bad? average?

No knowledge of Westpac vs ANZ in Tonga, sorry, But in the Cooks, both were pretty well-run. At times over the years one was better than the other, it all depended on who was the bank manager for those couple of years. But the work ethic, customer service ethic, etc., were all pretty good in both.

I've heard positive things about them - my impression is that they are more business savvy than the other banks. Their GM ( I think) was awarded business women of the year award a few years ago. They're more clever with their advertising compared with other local businesses and from my personal dealings with them as a customer - I was impressed with them. I worked for Tonga Broadcasting for two short stints in 2005 and then 2007 and I've formed my impressions based on my time there. I got to know quite a few local business people. Good luck with the job - can you get me one too!!??? I'd love to go back....

I use Westpack whenever I can (well, I did in the good old days when they didn't charge for changing Amex traveller's cheques, unlike most all other banks). I always found them to be as good as ANZ or any other bank (I've not dealt with the Bank of Tonga, so can't compare but I did use Westpac in Tonga with no problems).

Thanks people, my only knowledge of Westpac so far is walking past them on my way to the Club.

I dealt with ANZ (I have no idea who the hotel dealt with) becasue the ANZ manager madea point of helping me into Tongan society, and I haven't seen the westpac manager yet.

can you get me one too!!???

jay_dee, get on to Cadden-Crowe in Brisbane, there are at least 3 jobs in Tonga, and they ae recruiting for the entire South Pacific.

I'd love to go back....

yeah. Tonga got a good strong grip of my heart as well.

thanks Harry... unfortunatley I don't think I have the right expereince for the jobs they're recruiting..good luck!

hey, Jay_Dee, I didn't think i met the criteria either, but the interview went well. It will only cost you an email to find out. ;-)

http://www.caddencrowe.com.au/main/?c=custom/cadden_crowe&custom/cadden_crowe_task=view_job&id=1946

Thanks Harry - let us know how you go....

I used both ANZ and WestPac in Samoa, Tonga and the Cooks... Really nothing to differentiate one from the other in my opinion... The look, feel and are run the same as any bank in Canada, US or Australia.

Service was always professional and prompt.

Thanks.

Have any of you compared banking in Tonga with that of Australia? any major differences?

Is the credit card thing true where a business can't charge a surcharge for card use?

Thanks for the help so far, it has been invaluable.

quickly, please. ;-)

My one contrasting experience was when I was arranging to make a payment at Westapc in Tonga for our accommodation. We couldn't use a credit card at the accommodation but they gave us their bank details and said we could pay direct to their account at the branch on our visa. The staff there were great in terms of helping me clarify that the payment would actually be like a cash advance not charged as credit - hence I arranged to make an international transfer when I got home (we got on well with the owners and they trusted us to pay on return) However after making the transfer from my account online to a westpac account in Tonga - the money hadn't turned up in their account - but was gone from mine. Needless to say I was pretty concerned. Outcome was ANZ here (my bank) were hopeless in advising me how to sort it out and would only follow up at my own expense. Wetspac here were more helpful and most helpful were Westpac staff back in Tonga - I called them direct and was able to sort it out that day - they were great and were able to expalin what had happened, track the money down and fix it all up - much to my relief.

Not sure about Tonga, but for the Westpac branch in the Cooks, it all first goes to their regional office in Fiji---where things get "lost"! We had several payments to us "disappear" and never get deposited into our account at shangri-La in the Cooks, although the visitor had already had the funds withdraw/charged to their credit card. They found a few of them eventually, but one had vanished into thin air. soon thereafter I switch our business accounts to ANZ, which seemed to be a step ahead of Westpac in electronic banking.

I would suspect that Tongan branches of Westpac also may funnel things via Fiji, but I'm not sure.

As to credit card charges being higher---the "official" policy is that one has to charge the same. But many places in the Cooks did give a little discount for in-person cash payments. Not sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if some businesses in Tonga did the same thing.

Thanks. This is important information and valuable to me.

I think they are different operations, Raro. This from their website:

"Westpac has branch locations in Fiji, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands,+ +and Vanuatu. Westpac is represented in Papua New Guinea by Westpac+ +Bank - PNG - Limited, Samoa by Westpac Bank Samoa Limited and in+ +Tonga by Westpac Bank of Tonga."

Unless it is directly related to Fiji the Westpac Bank in Samoa does nothing through Fiji at all, as far as I can see. It clearly is an independent bank (formerly Pacific Commercial Bank) and not just a branch of Westpac wherever. The counter service is good and even more friendly as with ANZ. Their ATM is working properly as well. I do not know about the quality of their other international services though.

A few companies in Samoa take a 5 per cent surcharge when you do payment with a credit card. Even PolynesianBlue adds an extra $5 (or $15) for credit card use to pay your ticket.

Sounds like Westpac in Samoa and Tonga are just licensing the name, and funds don't through Westpac in Fiji. That's good!

The main thing I learned about SP banks is that it really depends a lot on who the branch manager is for those couple of yrs, as I said above. I think the same applies to working conditions. At both Westpac and ANZ in the Cooks, over a 12 year period, I heard both good and bad reviews from friends who worked there, and it all depended on who the manager was. Same actually is true with most businesses, hotels, motels, etc. in the SP.

You had a good reputation when your were last in Tonga Harry, try and migrate that over to Westpac.

Are you going to stay this time? ;-)

My knife dodging has improved, so yes I will stay. Forever.

went to use the ATM one friday arvo...ATM had no money in it!?!?! and it ate my card