At Hamula from left, Dennis Qualey (General Manager, Westpac Bank of Tonga); Sione Taumoha'apai Taufa (Tatakamotonga District Officer);  and Peni Fakava of Westpac and Kavakimotu-Haasini chief. 13 November 2012.

The villages of Ha'asini and Hamula on Tongatapu now have access to new banking services with the launching today of in-store banking in their community by the Westpac Bank of Tonga General Manager Dennis Qualey.

“We’re really excited with In-store Banking and what it will do for the people of Tonga, especially those living in rural and remote areas. There are about 1000 people in this village and we’re delighted to introduce our banking services to them,” said Dennis.

'Alisi Fonokalafi, Transactional Solutions Manager, said the new service at the Ha'asini/Hamula Society Store allows selected merchants to conduct certain banking services using their EFTPOS terminals. These in-store banking services include cash deposits, cash withdrawal, bill payments, pay others, print mini statement for the 10 most recent transactions; and balance enquiries.

"This latest initiative  demonstrates Westpac's commitments to make banking easier for its customers. The aim of In-store Banking is to bring more people into the banking system," Westpac Bank of Tonga stated. 

The Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP) a programme helping to provide sustainable financial services to low income households was a key funding partner in the development and roll-out of the new In-store Banking service. 

The people of Haasini/Hamula and Halaliku area will not have to travel to Nuku'alofa  for some of  their banking needs or  to pay for their household bills. The elderly people of the same area who are entitled for the Elderly Benefit Fund Scheme can cash their monthly payment using the service.

The launch was attended by nearly 50 people including the district officer of the Tatamotonga District, Sione Taumoha'apai Taufa, Kavakimotu, and Rev. Haileni Likio, from the Free Church of Tonga.