Bankwest

As #16DaysInWA comes to a close, we remain dedicated to ending gender-based violence. Our 2024 Hidden Costs Report highlights an important insight: young Western Australians are experiencing financial abuse at higher rates than older generations. This underscores the need for continued focus and support to help prevent and address financial abuse in all communities. Read more about our insights and what we’re doing to support customers impacted by financial abuse. 👇

As part of our support of #16DaysInWA, we’ve been running our 16 days of volunteering, which is our way of helping organisations who provide support to women and children affected by family and domestic violence.

This month for Pride WA's PrideFEST we are celebrating the vibrant, diverse and unique LGBTQIA+ community at Bankwest. We asked Lux Towns (they/them), from our Social Media Engagement team, to share their story and reflect on what Pride means to them. For Lux, Bankwest is a place where they have felt encouraged to be themselves. Simple acts such as asking their preferred name and pronouns showed Lux that their uniqueness was celebrated and that their colleagues had their best interest at heart. “Through my journey with my identity I have evolved rapidly, and I am often complimented on my freedom of expression. This encourages me to be the fullest extent of myself”. Celebrating Pride at Bankwest is important to Lux because it empowers people to share their story and lets others know that they are appreciated and accepted, championing an inclusive culture that builds visibility and deepens understanding. “Everyone is important, everyone has a story, and everyone should be proud to be themselves. Celebrating Pride isn’t just for people like me, it is for all of us.”

In support of the 16 Days in WA campaign to end violence against women and girls, Bankwest continues to work with government, industry, and community partners to help address this critical social issue. On Tuesday 26 November, join us for an insightful event, "Empowering communities: Understanding and addressing Family and Domestic Violence (FDV)", brought to you by Bankwest as part of this year’s campaign. Domestic Abuse Resource and Training Group (DART Institute Australia Inc) founder and director Jolene Ellat will shed light on the critical issues of family violence and coercive control, providing valuable information and resources to support those affected. Together, we can create safer environments and empower individuals to take action against FDV. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/g73PEYM9

This year we jumped on board as Platinum Sponsor of DDD Perth at Optus Stadium. As one of the largest tech employers in WA with a focussed investment in technology and digital services, we’re proud to have been part of Perth’s largest community-run conference which is open to everyone, no matter where they are in their tech career journey, and to showcase the career opportunities across Bankwest to the Perth tech community. With our ambition to become Australia’s favourite digital bank, it’s never been a more exciting time to be part of our digital transformation with opportunities in tech, operations and customer support available: https://lnkd.in/geDA6daZ #bankwest #perthtechhub #DDDPerth #TechConference #Innovation #Networking #TechCommunity #technology #perthtechnology

Here at Bankwest, we are committed to fostering an environment where colleagues are safe, respected and included. This year we are proud to come together and celebrate PrideFEST 2024 with Pride WA, celebrating the diversity of our community throughout November. Bankwest's involvement in and support of LGBTQIA+ rights deepened in 2015 when the internal LGBTQIA+ champion and ally network 'Unity' was launched. Since then, we have: • Put hundreds of colleagues through ally training - empowering colleagues to become better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community • Worked with several volunteer partners like WAAC and have played an active role in supporting Wear It Purple Day, raising money towards services for LGBTQIA+ youth • Simplified our change of gender process and increased our gender affirmation leave, making it easier for colleagues to bring their true selves to work Bankwest is proudly marching in the PrideFEST parade next week - celebrating the diverse community and culture of Western Australia’s LGBTQIA+ people. We wish everyone a happy PrideFEST!

Here at Bankwest, as part of our continued efforts to build an organisation where everyone feels safe, respected and included, we have a passionate group of colleagues with varied backgrounds and experiences championing an inclusive culture through our Inclusion at Bankwest networks. Our internal reconciliation network, Koort Waangkiny, meaning ‘hearts, speaking’ in Noongar, is dedicated to advancing reconciliation in Australia by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Recently we asked members of the committee to share why they joined the network, recent activities they participated in to support the community and why reconciliation is so important to them.

Last week we welcomed students from the Polly Farmer Foundation ‘Follow the Dream' program to Bankwest Place, where we donated over 60 preloved laptops to support students in furthering their education. Students and their teachers travelled to Perth from the South West, the Wheatbelt and from across Perth to pick up their laptops from our General Manager - Enablement, Rachel Aikin, and to hear from some of our colleagues about their unique career journeys. One of the previous laptop recipients shared, “it’s more than just receiving a piece of technology – it was a lifeline to stability and academic success.” We are proud to support the Polly Farmer Foundation, and we wish the students all the best for their future studies.

From a temporary teller role while studying at university to Secretariat and Corporate Governance Manager, when there’s been an opportunity to expand her skill set and move into the next part of her career journey, Frances McKenna has taken it. “Every step I’ve taken so far has been a natural progression from my previous role. I’ve been able to expand and build more confidence in my skills by taking advantage of our internal development programs, where I gained ‘real life’ experience in areas such as people leading with the support of a mentor.” Frances also enjoys the flexibility to do the things she is passionate about - whether it’s being home with her dog Chester, who sometimes needs extra care, or leaving early to attend her much loved dancing class. As part of our mission to become Australia’s favourite digital bank, we’re on the lookout for people like Frances who are passionate about their personal and professional development, looking to create innovate experiences for our customers. We’re part of the CBA Group - one of WA’s largest employers - and with opportunities in technology, operations and customer service across WA, it’s an exciting time to be part of our digital transformation. Check out the roles on offer: https://lnkd.in/geDA6daZ

We're thrilled to once again be recognised as AMA's 2024 Bank of the Year! Our ambition is to be Australia's best broker bank with the human support to go with it, and we remain as committed as ever to delivering best in class digital tools and services to create brilliant customer outcomes. Thank you to our broker partners for this recognition and for choosing Bankwest! Find out more about how we support brokers: https://lnkd.in/g-d3y6Dp