From left, Pisila 'Otunuku, Leta Kami TDB Acting Managing Director, Daniel Henson WBoT Head of Business and Hasiloni Fungavai. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 23 August 2013.

The Westpac Bank of Tonga has closed down its branches in Ha’apai and ‘Eua as it teams up with the Tonga Development Bank to deliver its banking services to customers in both the outer islands, from today September 2.

The last day of operation for the Westpac branches in ‘Ohonua and Pangai was Friday, August 30.

A joint statement issued by both banks last week said Westpac signed a new local agency agreement with the Tonga Development Bank on August 23. The agreement will see TDB offer a range of services to Westpac customers via its branches in 'Ohonua and 'Eua.

Dennis Quayle the General Manager of Westpac Bank of Tonga said their priority is to make banking easier for customers and deliver a range of services to their doorstep. He said the new agency agreement achieves this by providing their business customers with the ability to conduct a range of larger transactions such as foreign exchange payments locally.

“Customers at Ha’apai and ‘Eua will have access to Westpac In-Store banking outlets based in both islands to conduct a range of transactions including checking their balances, making withdrawals and deposits, paying bills and transferring funds from Westpac accounts, all from a Westpac Eftpos machines,” he said.

Leta Kami the Acting Managing Director of the Tonga Development Bank said she was pleased with the agency agreement as partnering with Westpac to ensure the banking services for commercial, retail, rural and personal clients and cash needs of locals in Ha'apai and ‘Eua is met quickly. She said TDB looked forward to getting the Westpac’s customers into their branches today.