WESTPAC Bank has rejigged its West Australian management structure with the appointment of two senior executives to take charge of all personal and business banking.
The new appointments follow the retirement last November of Tony Howarth, who had been the bank’s senior WA executive since Westpac acquired Challenge Bank in 1995.
Under the new structure, Paul Cole, who is already in Perth, will be regional executive with responsibility for south metro operations.
Michael Ehrentraut, who is transferring from Sydney, will be regional executive with responsibility for north metro operations.
A third executive, Jay Watson, will manage the bank’s regional operations.
The latest management changes have affected two other senior executives in WA.
Ross Hammond, who until recently was State head of middle markets, is now working as head of relationship banking.
Peter Cross, formerly State head of retail banking, left the bank earlier this month.
Westpac media spokesman David Lording said the new appointments supported the integration of the bank’s sales and service functions.
He said they had effectively upgraded decision-making authority in Perth.
“What we are wanting to do is to give more responsibility to people in the States and Territories,” Mr Lording said.
The regional executives will be responsible for personal banking, small and medium business banking and wealth management in the metropolitan area.
